Hebrews 10 · Verse 32

Hebrews 10:32

But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;

Hebrews 10:32, King James Version

Hebrews 10:32 in other translations

BSB	Remember the early days that you were in the light. In those days, you endured a great conflict in the face of suffering.
WEB	But remember the former days, in which, after you were enlightened, you endured a great struggle with sufferings:
ASV	But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were enlightened, ye endured a great conflict of sufferings;
YLT	And call to your remembrance the former days, in which, having been enlightened, ye did endure much conflict of sufferings,
DARBY	But call to mind the earlier days in which, having been enlightened, ye endured much conflict of sufferings;
BBE	But give thought to the days after you had seen the light, when you went through a great war of troubles;
Webster	But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;

What does Hebrews 10:32 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

32. As previously he has warned them by the awful end of apostates, so here he stirs them up by the remembrance of their own former faith, patience, and self-sacrificing love. So Re 2:3, 4. call to remembrance--habitually: so the present tense means. illuminated--"enlightened": come to "the knowledge of the truth" (He 10:26) in connection with baptism (see on He 6:4). In spiritual baptism, Christ, who is "the Light," is put on. "On the one hand, we are not to sever the sign and the grace signified where the sacrifice truly answers its designs; on the other, the glass is not to be mistaken for the liquor, nor the sheath for the sword" [Bengel]. fight of--that is, consisting of afflictions.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes

Verse 32. But call to remembrance the former days. It would seem from this, that at the time when the apostle wrote this epistle they were suffering some severe trials, in which they were in great danger of apostatizing from their religion. It is also manifest that they had on some former occasion endured a similar trial, and had been enabled to bear it with a Christian spirit, and with resignation. The object of the apostle now is to remind them that they were sustained under those trials, and he would encourage them now to similar patience by the recollection of the grace then conferred on them. What was the nature of their former trials, or of that which they were then experiencing, is not certainly known. It would seem probable, however, that the reference in both instances is to some form of persecution by their own countrymen. The meaning is, that when we have been enabled to pass through trials once, we are to make the remembrance of the grace then bestowed on us a means of supporting and encouraging us in future trials.

After ye were illuminated. After you became Christians, or were enlightened to see the truth. This phrase, referring here undoubtedly to the fact that they were Christians, may serve to explain the disputed phrase in Heb 6:4. Heb 6:4.

A great fight of afflictions. The language here seems to be taken from the Grecian Games. The word "fight" means, properly, contention, combat, such as occurred in the public games. Here the idea is, that in the trials referred to they had a great struggle; that is, a struggle to maintain their faith without wavering, or against those who would have led them to apostatize from their religion. Some of the circumstances attending this conflict are alluded to in the following verses.

(*) "illuminated" "enlightened"

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Verse 32 But call to remembrance - It appears from this, and indeed from some parts of the Gospel history, that the first believers in Judea were greatly persecuted; our Lord's crucifixion, Stephen's martyrdom, the persecution that arose after the death of Stephen, Act 8:1, Herod's persecution, Act 12:1, in which James was killed, and the various persecutions of St. Paul, sufficiently show that this disposition was predominant among that bad people. A great fight of afflictions - Πολλην αθλησιν παθηματων· A great combat or contention of sufferings. Here we have an allusion to the combats at the Grecian games, or to exhibitions of gladiators at the public spectacles; and an intimation how honorable it was to contend for the faith once delivered to the saints, and to overcome through the blood of the Lamb, and their own testimony.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Hebrews 10:32-39

Many and various afflictions united against the early Christians, and they had a great conflict. The Christian spirit is not a selfish spirit; it puts us upon pitying others, visiting them, helping them, and pleading for them. All things here are but shadows. The happiness of the saints in heaven will last for ever; enemies can never take it away as earthly goods. This will make rich amends for all we may lose and suffer here. The greatest part of the saints' happiness, as yet, is in promise. It is a trial of the patience of Christians, to be content to live after their work is done, and to stay for their reward till God's time to give it is come. He will soon come to them at death, to end all their sufferings, and to give them a crown of life. The Christian's present conflict may be sharp, but will be soon over. God never is pleased with the formal profession and outward duties and services of such as do not persevere; but he beholds them with great displeasure. And those who have been kept faithful in great trails for the time past, have reason to hope for the same grace to help them still to live by faith, till they receive the end of their faith and patience, even the salvation of their souls. Living by faith, and dying in faith, our souls are safe for ever.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Hebrews 10:32 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ἈναμιμνῄσκεσθεAnamimnēskesthedo rememberG363

δὲdehoweverG1161

τὰςtastheG3588

πρότερονproteronformerG4386

ἡμέρας,hēmerasdaysG2250

ἐνeninG1722

αἷςhaiswhichG3739

φωτισθέντεςphōtisthenteshaving been enlightenedG5461

πολλὴνpollēna greatG4183

ἄθλησινathlēsinconflictG119

ὑπεμείνατεhupemeinateyou enduredG5278

παθημάτων,pathēmatōnof sufferings,G3804

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Hebrews 10:32

Hebrews 6:4
For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
Galatians 3:3-4
Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain.
2 Timothy 4:7-8
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
2 Timothy 2:3-13
Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits. …
Hebrews 12:4
Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.
2 John 1:8
Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
Philippians 3:16
Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.
Acts 8:1-3
And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.
Philippians 1:29-30
For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.
Acts 9:1-2
And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.
Revelation 3:3
Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.
Colossians 2:1
For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

call.
Ga 3:3,4; Php 3:16; 2Jo 1:8; Re 2:5; 3:3
after.
6:4; Ac 26:18; 2Co 4:6
ye endured.
12:4; Ac 8:1-3; 9:1,2; Php 1:29,30; Col 2:1; 2Ti 2:3-13; 4:7,8

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

Hebrews 10:31
It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
Hebrews 10:32
But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;
Hebrews 10:33
Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used.

Read all of Hebrews 10

Hebrews 10:32 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	Empero traed á la memoria los días pasados, en los cuales, después de haber sido iluminados, sufristeis gran combate de aflicciones:
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	Mais rappelez dans votre mémoire les jours précédents, dans lesquels, ayant été éclairés, vous avez enduré un grand combat de souffrances,
German Elberfelder 1871	Gedenket aber der vorigen Tage, in welchen ihr, nachdem ihr erleuchtet worden, viel Kampf der Leiden erduldet habt;
Latin Clementine Vulgate	Rememoramini autem pristinos dies, in quibus illuminati, magnum certamen sustinuistis passionum: