The Meaning of Hebrews 10:33 Explained

Hebrews 10:33

KJV: Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used.

YLT: partly both with reproaches and tribulations being made spectacles, and partly having become partners of those so living,

Darby: on the one hand, when ye were made a spectacle both in reproaches and afflictions; and on the other, when ye became partakers with those who were passing through them.

ASV: partly, being made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, becoming partakers with them that were so used.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Partly,  whilst ye were made a gazingstock  both  by reproaches  and  afflictions;  and  partly,  whilst ye became  companions  of them that were  so  used. 

What does Hebrews 10:33 Mean?

Context Summary

Hebrews 10:26-39 - Beware Of Backsliding
The willful sin here referred to does not consist in isolated acts, but in a determined course of action, persisted in until the very desire for a better life wanes and dies out of the soul.
These strong remonstrances were needed in those days of sore persecution. Three considerations are adduced, urging steadfastness: (1.) The certain punishment which must follow on the rejection of the greatest gifts that God can make, so much richer than anything presented under the Mosaic covenant. (2.) The sufferings already endured, the reward for which would-be forfeited, if these harried souls were now to draw back. (3.) The near advent of the Christ, who would not fail to compensate His faithful servants.
Then we are reminded that the just-those who have been accepted in the Beloved-live; that is, may derive all the reinforcements of soul strength and patience that they require, from the unseen and eternal world where Jesus waits to succor and uphold. [source]

Chapter Summary: Hebrews 10

1  The weakness of the law sacrifices
10  The sacrifice of Christ's body once offered,
14  for ever has taken away sins
19  An exhortation to hold fast the faith with patience and thanksgiving

Greek Commentary for Hebrews 10:33

Partly [τουτο μεν]
Accusative of general reference Late verb to bring upon the stage, to hold up to derision. See Paul‘s use of τεατρον — theatron of himself in 1 Corinthians 4:9. By reproaches and afflictions Instrumental case. See Romans 15:3. Partakers Partners (Luke 5:10) with those So used Present middle articular participle of αναστρεπω — anastrephō to conduct oneself (2 Corinthians 1:12). [source]
Whilst ye were made a gazing-stock [θεατριζόμενοι]
N.T.oolxx, oClass. Lit. exhibited in the theater. Comp. 1 Corinthians 4:9. [source]
Whilst ye became companions [κοινωνοὶ γενηθέντες]
Rend. by becoming partakers. More than companionship is implied. For κοινωνοὶ see on Luke 5:10. The noun and its kindred verb in N.T. almost exclusively of ethical and spiritual relations, as 1 Timothy 5:22; 1 Peter 4:13; 2 John 1:11; 1 Corinthians 10:18; 2 Corinthians 1:7; Philemon 1:17. Even when applied to pecuniary contributions they imply Christian fellowship as the basis of the liberality. See on Romans 12:13; see on Romans 15:27; see on Philemon 4:15. [source]
Of them that were so used [τῶν οὕτως ἀναστρφομένων]
Rend. “of them that fared thus.” Others render “who conducted themselves thus”; endured their persecutions, so bravely. But the οὕτως can refer only to made a gazing-stock. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Hebrews 10:33

1 Corinthians 4:9 Spectacle [θέατρον]
Primarily, a theatre; then that which is exhibited. Compare the kindred verb θεατριζόμενοι beingmade a gazing-stock, Hebrews 10:33. [source]
1 Corinthians 4:9 As men doomed to die [ως επιτανατιους]
Late word, here alone in N.T. The lxx (Bel and the Dragon 31) has it for those thrown daily to the lions. Dionysius of Halicarnassus (A.R. vii. 35) uses it of those thrown from the Tarpeian Rock. The gladiators would say morituri salutamus. All this in violent contrast to the kingly Messianic pretensions of the Corinthians. A spectacle (τεατρον — theatron). Cf. Hebrews 11:33-40. The word, like our theatre, means the place of the show (Acts 19:29, Acts 19:31). Then, it means the spectacle shown there (τεαμα — theama or τεα — thea), and, as here, the man exhibited as the show like the verb τεατριζομενοι — theatrizomenoi made a spectacle (Hebrews 10:33). Sometimes it refers to the spectators (τεαται — theatai) like our “house” for the audience. Here the spectators include “the world, both to angels and men” (τωι κοσμωι και αγγελοις και αντρωποις — tōi kosmōi kai aggelois kai anthrōpois), dative case of personal interest. [source]

What do the individual words in Hebrews 10:33 mean?

this indeed by revilings both and tribulations being made a spectacle now partners of those thus passing through [them] having become
τοῦτο μὲν ὀνειδισμοῖς τε καὶ θλίψεσιν θεατριζόμενοι δὲ κοινωνοὶ τῶν οὕτως ἀναστρεφομένων γενηθέντες

τοῦτο  this 
Parse: Demonstrative Pronoun, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: οὗτος  
Sense: this.
μὲν  indeed 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: μέν  
Sense: truly, certainly, surely, indeed.
ὀνειδισμοῖς  by  revilings 
Parse: Noun, Dative Masculine Plural
Root: ὀνειδισμός  
Sense: a reproach.
τε  both 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: τέ  
Sense: not only … but also.
θλίψεσιν  tribulations 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Plural
Root: θλῖψις  
Sense: a pressing, pressing together, pressure.
θεατριζόμενοι  being  made  a  spectacle 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Middle or Passive, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: θεατρίζω  
Sense: to bring upon the stage.
δὲ  now 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: δέ  
Sense: but, moreover, and, etc.
κοινωνοὶ  partners 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: κοινωνός  
Sense: a partner, associate, comrade, companion.
τῶν  of  those 
Parse: Article, Genitive Masculine Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
οὕτως  thus 
Parse: Adverb
Root: οὕτως  
Sense: in this manner, thus, so.
ἀναστρεφομένων  passing  through  [them] 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Middle or Passive, Genitive Masculine Plural
Root: ἀναστρέφω  
Sense: to turn upside down, overturn.
γενηθέντες  having  become 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Participle Passive, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: γίνομαι  
Sense: to become, i.