10:33
He then reminds them of the suffering they endured. They were “publicly exposed to insult and persecution”. They were humiliated, whether it be by verbal abuse, or physical attack. The opposition sought to make a spectacle of them. If this happens to us we should remember that on the cross Christ made a public spectacle of the “powers and authorities”. Sometimes they suffered directly, at others they suffered alongside those who were so treated. It can be quite hard to stand alongside those who are being maligned, it can seem safer to keep quiet. We should not give in to this temptation.
He then reminds them of the suffering they endured. They were “publicly exposed to insult and persecution”. They were humiliated, whether it be by verbal abuse, or physical attack. The opposition sought to make a spectacle of them. If this happens to us we should remember that on the cross Christ made a public spectacle of the “powers and authorities”. Sometimes they suffered directly, at others they suffered alongside those who were so treated. It can be quite hard to stand alongside those who are being maligned, it can seem safer to keep quiet. We should not give in to this temptation.
10:34
“You suffered along with those in prison ...” In those days prisons were rather different than they are now. Food and other essentials of life were not provided, so outsiders had to provide the prisoner with food, and in doing so they might have opened themselves up to adverse consequences. From the text it seems that they may have lost property as a result of supporting those in prison. They were not only willing to accept the loss of property as a price worth paying, but accepted it joyfully. They did this because they knew that they had “better and lasting possessions”. Having a proper eternal perspective enables us to live better lives today.
“You suffered along with those in prison ...” In those days prisons were rather different than they are now. Food and other essentials of life were not provided, so outsiders had to provide the prisoner with food, and in doing so they might have opened themselves up to adverse consequences. From the text it seems that they may have lost property as a result of supporting those in prison. They were not only willing to accept the loss of property as a price worth paying, but accepted it joyfully. They did this because they knew that they had “better and lasting possessions”. Having a proper eternal perspective enables us to live better lives today.
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