Think back on those early days when you first learned about Christ. Remember how you remained faithful even though it meant terrible suffering.
Parallel translations
- WEB But remember the former days, in which, after you were enlightened, you endured a great struggle with sufferings;
- KJV But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;
- BSB Remember the early days that you were in the light. In those days, you endured a great conflict in the face of suffering.
- NKJV But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings:
- NASB But remember the former days, when, after being enlightened, you endured a great conflict of sufferings,
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The author urges readers to remember their earlier days of endurance through great suffering after coming to faith. Past faithfulness should fuel present perseverance.
Overview
Shifting from warning to encouragement, the writer recalls the readers' earlier steadfastness. After being 'enlightened' (coming to know Christ), they had endured a 'great struggle with sufferings'. Recalling this proven faith is meant to strengthen them to persevere now and not abandon what they once bravely held.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 15
- Heb 6:4For concerning those who were once enlightened and tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit,
- Heb 12:4You have not yet resisted to blood, striving against sin;
- 2 Tim 2:3–13You therefore must endure hardship, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
- Gal 3:3–4Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now completed in the flesh?
- 2 Tim 4:7–8I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith.
- Phil 3:16Nevertheless, to the extent that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule. Let us be of the same mind.
- Phil 1:29–30Because it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in him, but also to suffer on his behalf,
- 2 Jn 1:8Watch yourselves, that we don’t lose the things which we have accomplished, but that we receive a full reward.
- Acts 8:1–3Saul was consenting to his death. A great persecution arose against the assembly which was in Jerusalem in that day. They were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except for the apostles.
- Rev 3:3Remember therefore how you have received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If therefore you won’t watch, I will come as a thief, and you won’t know what hour I will come upon you.
- Acts 9:1–2But Saul, still breathing threats and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest,
- Col 2:1For I desire to have you know how greatly I struggle for you, and for those at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;
- 2 Cor 4:6seeing it is God who said, “Light will shine out of darkness,” who has shone in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
- Rev 2:5Remember therefore from where you have fallen, and repent and do the first works; or else I am coming to you swiftly, and will move your lamp stand out of its place, unless you repent.
- Acts 26:18to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive remission of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’
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Christ at the center
Hebrews is sustained worship of Christ: better than angels, Moses, and the priests; the great High Priest after Melchizedek who by one sacrifice perfects forever those he saves.
How Hebrews 10:32 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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