Struggling With Your Faith?

March 10th, 2026
by Lance Waldie

Hebrews 10:32-34 But remember the former days, when, after being enlightened, you endured a great conflict of sufferings, 33 partly by being made a public spectacle through reproaches and tribulations, and partly by becoming sharers with those who were so treated. 34 For you showed sympathy to the prisoners and accepted joyfully the seizure of your property, knowing that you have for yourselves a better possession and a lasting one.

Having sternly warned his audience about the eternal dangers of apostasy in 10:26-31, the writer of Hebrews tones it down a notch beginning in v. 32. His love for his audience shines through in how he refused to ignore the very real possibility that some were considering leaving their faith in the superior Jesus as their Messiah and returning to the inferior religion of Judaism. A faithful pastor does that—sternly warning those he loves not to neglect the salvation found only in Jesus Christ. Some might be offended, and some might depart from the company of such pastors. But when the eternal soul of a human being is at stake, ardent sternness is warranted.

The writer tells his beloved audience to “remember the former days,” back when they were first “enlightened” (Gr. phōtizō). Recalling the days when they were at one time in the dark, spiritually speaking, God shone His light upon them and gave them understanding of who Jesus of Nazareth truly is—the Messiah, the Christ. Notably, the writer does not say, “Remember back when you first got saved, when you were justified through faith alone.” Why? Keep in mind that the author was not certain they were saved, only that they had been “enlightened.” Their spiritual darkness had been enlightened, but were they saved? Given the writer’s warnings throughout the Hebrews epistle (2:1-4; 3:7-4:11; 6:4-8; 10:26-31), it does not seem that he was certain.

What the writer did know, however, was that after their spiritual enlightenment, they had “endured a great conflict of sufferings” (v. 32). Their enlightenment to Jesus as the Messiah brought persecution into their lives. They were ridiculed, “being made a public spectacle through reproaches and tribulations” (v. 33). They were thus insulted and publicly disgraced. In spite of this, v. 32 says they “endured” (Gr. hupomenō), facing their tribulations with courage. Not only did they endure such ridicule for their faith, they were “sharers with those who were so treated.” In other words, they suffered individually and corporately with others who suffered.

In v. 34, the writer acknowledged that they also “showed sympathy to the prisoners and accepted joyfully the seizure of [their] property.” Whereas in their dark spiritual state they would have joined in persecuting Christians, in their enlightened state of knowing Christ, they sympathized with converted Christians, some of whom had been imprisoned for their faith. They even supported such prisoners, enduring the seizure of their own property for such. Yet this they did “joyfully,” implying, at least early on, that their faith was genuine. Back when their enlightenment was new, they recognized that losing their possessions meant nothing, for they had “a better possession and a lasting one”—an eternal inheritance in Christ and with Christ.

Writing around AD 66, the persecution the author refers to concerns the Roman emperor Claudius (r. 41-54) in the year AD 49. The Roman historian Suetonius wrote of the Claudian persecution, blaming “Chrestus,” his word for “Christ,” explaining that the riots and expulsion occurred when Jewish Christians were banished from the synagogue by the Jews. In spite of the fact that no one was killed (cf. 12:4), it was a stressful time of shame and abuse for Christians.

Food For Thought
It is evident that people, then and now, can be enlightened as to who Jesus of Nazareth is—the Christ, or Messiah. But enlightenment, though necessary for salvation, is not salvation in and of itself. One must make a commitment to Christ as Lord and Savior by actually trusting in Him, not simply being enlightened about Him. Like the seed in stony ground, some are initially drawn to Christ intellectually and/or emotionally, but as persecution for their stance increases, they get choked at their roots and fall away (cf. Matt. 13:20-21). Perhaps you have been enlightened as to who Jesus truly is. Have you trusted Him fully, or do you just know His name and some things He said or did? Were you initially changed after enlightenment and have fallen away, or after enlightenment did you commit yourself to Him and vow to live your life for Him? Life is short, so make certain of your salvation by actually trusting in Jesus as your Lord and Savior.