Heb. 10:30. We know Him Who said: Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, says the Lord. (Cf. Deut. 32:35) And again: The Lord will judge His people. (Cf. Ps. 135:14)
Heb. 10:31. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God! (Cf. Lk. 18:7–8)
He said this in connection, to show that the Lord took upon Himself the "vengeance" against sinners. For He said this through the prophet. He also comforts those who fell into faintheartedness on account of the trials from the Jews who were oppressing them. He was saying, as it were: do not lose heart, you have an Avenger and Recompenser, Who lives forever, Whom those who insult you will in no way escape. You have fallen into the hands of those mortal men, but they have fallen into the hands of the eternally living God, from Whom they will not hide.
Heb. 10:32. Remember your former days,
So we were not speaking in vain when we said that the words "Vengeance is Mine" he introduces in a veiled manner for their consolation. For behold, now he speaks more clearly with them, persuading them not to lose patience. So, he says, do not imitate anyone else, but yourselves. At the beginning of your faith you struggled; always remember this struggle, so that through carelessness you do not lose what you previously attained through struggle. Notice the spiritual wisdom: having first shaken their souls with the reminder of gehenna, he now calms them with praises, yet not flattering them, but persuading them by their own example. For greater credibility belongs to the one who counsels someone to imitate himself and those deeds which he previously accomplished.
Heb. 10:32. when you, having been enlightened, endured a great struggle of sufferings,
"Having been enlightened" – he speaks either of baptism, or generally of the knowledge of the mystery and of the blessings that awaited the faithful. For when you were enlightened by the knowledge of what was to come, you endured so much. He did not say: temptations, but you endured a struggle, which is an expression of courage and strength, and truly they endured a great struggle.
Heb. 10:33. partly whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions,
Pay attention to the praise. Namely, a person with a noble soul has need to endure reproaches, as the prophet testifies: "they said to me every day: where is your God?" (Ps. 42:3) and: "for it is not an enemy who reproaches me — that I could bear" (Ps. 55:12); and: "do not deliver me to the reproach of the foolish" (Ps. 39:8). However, Job was indignant against reproach, although he bore all sufferings manfully, like adamant. But if the reproach happens openly and before the eyes of many, then such reproach requires an even stronger soul: this is what he indicated here by the expression "being made a spectacle." Consider, then, how great they were, having despised for Christ's sake both glory and wealth — being subjected to insults and becoming a disgrace, that is, as if being put on display as a spectacle and enduring all this, perhaps, from certain base and worthless people.
Heb. 10:33. then sharing in the sufferings of others who were in the same condition;
You, he says, not only endured your own afflictions, which seemed to have been brought upon you against your will, but you were so noble that you became companions of the apostles living in this way, that is, in afflictions and reproaches, and voluntarily subjected yourselves to suffering torments together with them and to taking part in their sufferings. He did not say: of me alone, but of all in general, to strengthen the praise of them.
Heb. 10:34. For you both had compassion on my bonds
You not only had no need of consolation in your own sufferings, but also became a consolation to others, of which I am a witness.
Heb. 10:34. and accepted the plundering of your possessions with joy,
Having said, among other things, how they were sharers in the sufferings of others, he now speaks again of how they endured their own sorrows. To be plundered is a great thing, for you were plundered because you believed. Of course, you could have chosen not to believe. "Accepted" denotes voluntary endurance, and something willingly chosen. As for the expression "with joy," it makes you equal to the apostles, who returned rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name of the Lord (Acts 5:41).
Heb. 10:34. Knowing that you have in heaven a better and enduring possession.
And this, he says, you did with judgment, with understanding, and with faith. For you knew that you have a better and enduring possession, one that does not perish and is not plundered, like this one.
Heb. 10:35. Therefore do not cast away your confidence,
"Not forsaking" shows that they had not yet fallen away, but still needed both strengthening and protection. He said "confidence," because they, having endured so much with patience for God's sake, have great boldness.
Heb. 10:35. which is destined for a great reward.
For you are confessors, who have acknowledged it as better to have treasure in heaven.
Heb. 10:36. You have need of patience,
You need nothing else besides patience alone: you have everything else, and you need add nothing further.
Heb. 10:36. Having done the will of God, you may receive the promise;
The will of God is that we endure to the end. For, He says, "he who endures to the end shall be saved" (Matt. 10:22). The Apostle persuades them of this in the same way as if someone, seeing that a fighter, having defeated all his opponents, then, not waiting for those who are slow with the victory prizes, wants to leave, unable to bear the thirst and heat, says to him: having accomplished everything, wait a little and you will receive the crowns. Struggle also against the delay of the crowns, and overcome this too with patience.