BUT REMEMBER THE FORMER DAYS WHEN, AFTER BEING ENLIGHTENED YOU ENDURED A GREAT CONFLICT OF SUFFERINGS: de Anamimneskesthe (2PPMM) de tas proteron hemeras en ais photisthentes (APPMPN) pollen athlesin hupemeinate (2PAAI) pathematon: (Galatians 3:3,4; Philippians 3:16; 2 John 1:8; Revelation 2:5; 3:3) (6:4; Acts 26:18; 2 Corinthians 4:6) (12:4; Acts 8:1-3; 9:1,2; Philippians 1:29,30; Colossians 2:1; 2 Timothy 2:3-13; 4:7,8)

Note the contrasting groups: Note the contrasting groups: a word of encouragement is presented to counterbalance the preceding grave warning (v19-31).

The writer points out that the Hebrews’ former experiences should stimulate them, the nearness of reward should strengthen them, and the fear of God’s displeasure should prevent them from going back to Judaism.

FIRST GROUP:

ADVANTAGES: (1). Received knowledge fo the truth (2).Sanctified.

ACTIONS: (1) go on willfully sinning (2) trample under foot Son of God = the New Covenant (noting what happened to those who "set aside" the Old Covenant!) (3). Regard as unclean the blood of New Covenant (4). Insult Spirit of Grace (5). Shrink back to destruction (v39)

ACCOUNTING: (1). No longer remains a sacrifice for sins. (2). Terrifying judgment. (3). Fury of consuming fire. (4). Deserving > severe punishment than those who committed "high handed" sins under the Old Covenant. (v29) (5). God Himself will repay. (v30) (6). Lord will judge. (v30) (7). God has no pleasure in him (v38). (8). Destruction (v39).

SECOND GROUP:

ADVANTAGES: (1). Enlightened.

ACTIONS: (1). Endured great conflict of suffering (cp Heb3:6,14, 4:14 (1a). Made public spectacle (1b). Sharers w those who made spectacle (2). Sympathized w prisoners (3). Accepted joyfully seizure of property (4). Live by faith (5). Have faith to the preserving of the soul (v39)

ACCOUNTING: (1). A Better Possession (abiding one). (v34) (2). Great Reward.(v35) (3). What was promised. v36 (4) Righteous (5) Soul preserved (v39)

Middle voice = "remind yourselves" as in 2Cor 7:15. Stronger than the simple verb, and means “recall over in your minds, one by one,” the present tense implying constant habit. Carries idea of carefully thinking back and reconstructing something in one’s mind, not merely remembering (cf.2Cor 7:15). Cp to setting up a memorial Josh 4:7, Ps 111:4. The writer's pattern of grave warning in immediate passages & encouragement in following reminds one of Rev 2:3, 4.

We may have begun well and now want to end well. If so, part of the secret is to remember well. He seeks to recall them to the love and steadfastness they had exhibited when their faith in Jesus was new.

One of most poignant illustrative uses of this word is in Mk 14:72 And immediately a cock crowed a second time. And Peter REMEMBERED how Jesus had made the remark to him, "Before a cock crows twice, you will deny Me three times." And he began to weep."

The former days=It is a definite experience of people in a certain place.

Every man is enlightened (Jn1:9), but enlightenment does not necessarily = salvation. Head knowledge never saved anyone. Whether this "enlightenment" was simply intellectual knowledge & understanding of the "good news" (cp 10:26, 6:4) or in fact resulted in regeneration is shown by one's life thereafter. Note what happened following the "ENLIGHTENMENT" of those he refers to as "you" = the fact that they were persecuted and did not immediately fall away suggests that they may have been believers...Count on it >>> When the Spirit of Truth makes you a new creature in Christ, you will come under attack from the enemy & the temptation is to turn back to the mainstream, esp if you are not truly born again. (cp Mt13:21) Persecution is a believer's lot (Php 1:29)

KJV = FIGHT, more accurate picture of true meaning than "conflict"

Athlesis from athleo = engage in a public contest or compete as an athlete in the games = 2Ti 2:5 and conveys the idea of a struggle that requires great determination to win.

SMOOTH SEAS DON'T MAKE SKILFUL SAILORS.

Hupomeno = remaining under, not simply w resignation, but w vibrant hope.

Athlesis = our English word athletic. The persecution was like a hard-fought athletic contest viewed by a partisan, even hostile crowd. There was nothing passive in their display. In fact, they showed superb spiritual athleticism as they stood their ground!

The verb athleo appears in 2Ti2:5 when Paul encourages his readers to endure hardship and compares the believer to one “who competes as an athlete” to receive the victor’s crown!

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Trudging the Trail - On a warm summer afternoon, three young people and I decided to hike along a five-mile stretch of the picturesque Tahquamenon River in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. We started out with energy and vigor, taking the first few hundred yards with ease. But then the path began to twist and turn as it followed the river's course. We trudged through low, muddy areas and scrambled up steep ridges. Fallen trees blocked the path, and we had to climb over or crawl under. To cross some of the creeks that flowed into the river, we either jumped or walked gingerly along narrow logs. We weren't sure how far we had to go or what lay ahead. Yet we knew our friends would be waiting at the end of the trail, so we had to keep going.

When we did stop for a brief rest, we talked about some parallels between our obstacle-ridden walk and the Christian life. We usually begin our Christian walk with great vigor, excited about our salvation. But it isn't long before we come upon the twists and turns of temptations and trials. We can get mired in the mud of mediocrity or plunge from the peaks of pride. All sorts of dangers and difficulties block our path. We aren't sure what's ahead, and we get weary and discouraged. But we know what awaits us in eternity, so we "run with endurance" the path that is set before us.

All of us get discouraged and tired at times. How pleasant it would be to stay where we are. When that temptation hovers, we must take a deep breath of the Spirit and keep moving on. For rich rewards await us at the end of the trail. —D.C.E. (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)

Falling drops at last will wear the stone.—Lucretius

PARTLY, BY BEING MADE A PUBLIC SPECTACLE THROUGH REPROACHES AND TRIBULATIONS: touto men oneidismois te kai thlipsesin theatrizomenoi (PPPMPN): (11:36; Psalms 71:7; Nahum 3:6; Zechariah 3:8; 1 Corinthians 4:9) (11:26; 13:13; Psalms 69:9; 74:22; 79:12; 89:51; Isaiah 51:7; 2 Corinthians 12:10)

hold up to derision as if being placed on a stage in the theater to be humiliated for all to see. This is when you need eyes of faith to see the reward & to remember He is coming soon and that His reward is with Him (Rev22:12) and that those who endured reproach for His name will be abundantly recompensed (Mt5:12). So the writer cheers and invigorates them by recalling to their memories specific afflictions because of their stand for Christ. Interestingly, criminals were sometimes exposed and punished in the theater.

Being made a public spectacle is one word in Greek (theatrizo) which meant “to bring upon the stage, to set forth as a spectacle, expose to contempt.” This was literally true in the case of the Roman Empire exposing Christians to the wild beasts in the amphitheatre. But in the case of Jews who held fast to the Law & the Rituals the persecution was not by means of lions (cp Heb12:4) but by means of reproaches and afflictions.

3 of 5 NT uses in Heb 10:33,11:26,13:13 cp 1Cor 4:9, Ps 69:9 This is the same word used in Heb 13:13 (cp Heb 11:26) to the “disgrace” which Jesus bore as a result of his crucifixion. Yet Jesus had warned his disciples, “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first … If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also” (John 15:18–20).

What should a believer's attitude be when slandered derisively? Isa51:7 2Co12:10 When reproaches come we should be encouraged by Jesus' words Mt5:11,12.

This may have taken form of bitter invective hurled at the Jews for having forsaken the temple sacrifices and having embraced the New Testament truth.

Tribulations and afflictions will demonstrate what is really on the inside...you may think you know but not until you encounter "pressing circumstances" as in Mt13:21 where affliction came because of the Word & there was NO root & he immediately (this was not a slow process) FELL AWAY (was scandalized). Cp Jn16:33, Acts 14:22, Ro5:3 (tribulation brings about perseverance), Ro8:36

F. F. Bruce draws from Tacitus’ Annals to describe the public persecutions which were on the horizon:

"Their death … was made a matter of sport: they were covered in wild beasts’ skins and torn to pieces by dogs; or were fastened to crosses and set on fire in order to serve as torches by night when daylight failed (Tacitus, Annals, xv.44)."

AND PARTLY BY BECOMING SHARERS WITH THOSE WHO WERE SO TREATED: touto de koinonoi ton houtos anastrephomenon (PPPMPG) genethentes: (Philippians 1:7; 4:14; 1 Thessalonians 2:14; 2 Timothy 1:8,16-18)

What is a believer's lot? Php1:29,1Th 2:14 2Ti 1:8,16-18 The readers had been close to persecution when it happened to the believers they associated with. They probably had actually suffered for that identification (cp. seizure of property below).

Here their spiritual athleticism leaps forth, because they transcended the normal tendency to be passive and actively joined in suffering together. What gallantry and honor! “I stand with my brothers and sisters here. If you insult them, you insult me!” Side-by-side, with arms locked, they chose to face persecution together.

In the NT, there are examples of those who willingly exposed themselves to possible arrest and harassment because they sought to help those who were persecuted for their faith. Among genuine believers who might be given as examples of helping the persecuted, there was Onesiphorus (2Ti1:16-18).

Hugh Latimer, the great English Reformer. On one notable occasion Latimer preached before Henry VIII and offended Henry with his boldness. So Latimer was commanded to preach the following weekend and make an apology. On that following Sunday, after reading the text, he addressed himself as he began to preach:

Hugh Latimer, dost thou know before whom thou art this day to speak? To the high and mighty monarch, the king’s most excellent majesty, who can take away thy life if thou offendest; therefore, take heed that thou speakest not a word that may displease; but then consider well, Hugh, dost thou not know from whence thou comest; upon whose message thou art sent? Even by the great and mighty God! who is all-present, and who beholdeth all thy ways, and who is able to cast thy soul into hell! Therefore, take care that thou deliverest thy message faithfully.