[4.] Know that where reproach goes before, persecution will fol- low after, in the course of the world. It thunders in reproaches, and falls in a storm of persecution. These sufferings consisted in afflictions; these afflictions did partly ensue upon and partly accom- pany these reproaches. For those who endeavour to bring men under contempt by reproaches, will not fail to reproach them under their sufferings. Therefore do we render the particle 42 by “ both,” referring both the * reproaches” and “ afflictions” unto their being made “a gazing-stock.” And the word is of a large signification, denoting every thing that is evil and grievous to us in any kind. But as itis distinguished from “reproaches,” it denotes suffering in their persons or enjoyments; an instance whereof he gives in the next verse, in the “ spoiling of their goods.”
(2.) The manner of their suffering of these things: it is said “they were made a gazing-stock,”—AearpiZouevon It is pro- perly spoken of them who were brought on the public stage or theatre in any city, and there exposed unto all sorts of evils and punishments. And it was the way of the highest and most capital punishment. For when guilty persons. were cast unto beasts to be devoured, it was in the theatre, where they were made a spec- tacle unto the people, or a “ gazing-stock.” But the apostle limits the suffering of the Hebrews unto “ reproaches and afflictions ;” they had not yet “ resisted unto blood.” So at Ephesus they drew Gaius
Ozurpilopeevor.
566 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [CHAP. X.
and Aristarchus into the theatre, with an intention to destroy them, Acts xix. 29.
But yet neither doth it necessarily follow that those spoken of were actually or solemnly carried into any theatre, there to be re- proached, then destroyed. But because the theatre was the place where persons were publicly exposed to be looked upon with scorn and contempt, the word YearpiZouas is used to signify men’s being so exposed and made a spectacle, in any place, on any occasion. And this is the meaning of the phrase used by the apostle, 1 Cor. iv. 9. No more is required hereunto but that they were publicly, and in the sight of all that had occasion or opportunity to behold them, exposed unto these things. So was it with them, when they haled men and women out of their meetings; who being dragged or driven in the streets, were committed some of them into prisons, Acts vill. 3: then were they loaded with all manner of reproaches, and made a gazing-stock to all that were about them. This way and manner of their suffering was a great addition to it and an ageravation of it. It requireth excellent actings of faith and spi- ritual courage to carry ingenuous persons above this public contest. But their cause and their Example were sufficient to support them, and enable them unto this duty.
Obs. VI. All temporary sufferings, in all their aggravating cireum- stances, in their most dreadful preparation, dress, and appearance, are but light things in comparison of the gospel and the promises thereof.
Obs. VII. There is not any thing in the whole nature of temporary sufferings, or any circumstance of them, that we can claim an exemp- tion from, after we have undertaken the profession of the gospel.
This was the first part of the contention with sufferings which those Hebrews had undergone.
2. The other part of their sufferings was, that “they became the companions of them that were so used.” They not only suffered in themselves, in what they gave occasion unto by their own profes- sion of the gospel, and practice of its worship, but also came into a fellowship of sufferings with them that were so used as they were. And we may consider, (1.) Who those were that were so used. (2.) How they became their companions in that condition.
(1.) Té&v obrwg civaorpepouevwv. The word signifies the way, manner,
1S» ofrae 20d course of our conversation in the world. And in dyaorpsgoué- that sense the sufferings of these persons is included as ay the effect in the cause. They so walked in the world as to be exposed to sufferings. We take the word in a passive sense, and render it “so used,’—‘used after the same manner which you were.’ It is also used for “to be tossed, overturned, op- pressed ;” which is the sense of it in this place. But the apostle
VER, 32-84.] EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS, 567
writing unto the whole church of the Hebrews, we may inquire who they were who were used in this manner with them; for they seem to be distinguished from them unto whom he wrote. And, [1.] It is not impossible but the apostle might have respect unto those that were sober and moderate amongst the Jews themselves, For things were now come unto that confusion in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, that all such persons were continually exposed unto the violence and rage of robbers, oppressors, and seditious villains, The Christians, being of the same conversation with them, were not known by the multitude, nor distinguished from them. It is not therefore unlikely that they might suffer with them in those public violences; which being not immediately for the profession of the gospel, they are said. in what they so underwent, to be “ made the companions” of others, Or, [2.] Respect may be had unto the sufferings of Christians in other places up and down the world, which they heard of, and were in no small measure affected with. But this was not peculiar unto the church of the Hebrews, and so not likely to be peculiarly as- eribed unto them. Or, [3.] It may be respect is had unto some that had suffered amongst themselves at Jerusalem, or in other places of Judea, who.were their countrymen, yet belonged not unto the stated church of Christ in the place unto which he wrote at present. And this hath countenance given it from the next verse, where it seems to be given as an instance of their being made com- panions of them that suffered, in that they had compassion of the apostle himself in his bonds, and such was the condition of others.