Hebrews 11:25

New Testament Epistle (General) ASV (1901)

What does Hebrews 11:25 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “choosing rather to share ill treatment with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

choosing rather to share ill treatment with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
Hebrews 11:25 — American Standard Version

Context — Hebrews 11

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
25choosing rather to share ill treatment with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, etc..] The Israelites, who were God's chosen and peculiar people, and were the true worshippers of him; Moses chose to be with those: the company and conversation of such is most eligible to every good man, because God is with them; his word and ordinances are with them; there are large provisions of grace in the midst of them; so that it is profitable, delightful, and honourable, to be among them, and is attended with comfort, peace, and satisfaction: but then those are a poor, and an afflicted people; affliction is with them, for the sake of God, and Christ, and the truths which they profess, and the worship and service they are…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“He balanced the best of the world with the worst of religion, and decidedly chose the latter. "Choosing" implies a deliberate resolution, not a hasty impulse. He was forty years old, a time when the judgment is matured. for a season--If the world has "pleasure" (Greek, "enjoyment") to offer, it is but "for a season." If religion bring with it "affliction," it too is but for a season; whereas its "pleasures are for evermore."”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God - With those whom God had chosen to he his people - the Israelites. They were then oppressed and down-trodden; but they were the descendants of Abraham, and were those whom God had designed to be his special people. Moses saw that if he cast in his lot with them, he must expect trials. They were poor, and crushed, and despised - a nation of slaves. If he identified himself with them, his condition would be like theirs - one of great trial; if he sought to elevate and deliver them, such an undertaking could not but be one of great peril and hardship. Trial and danger, want and care would follow from any course which he could adopt,…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Choosing: Heb 10:32; Job 36:21; Psa 84:10; Mat 5:10-12, Mat 13:21; Act 7:24, Act 7:25, Act 20:23, Act 20:24; Rom 5:3, Rom 8:17, Rom 8:18, Rom 8:35-39; Co2 5:17; Col 1:24; Th2 1:3-6; Ti2 1:8; Ti2 2:3-10, Ti2 3:11, Ti2 3:12; Jam 1:20; Pe1 1:6, Pe1 1:7, Pe1 4:12-16 the people: Heb 4:9; Psa 47:9; Pe1 2:10 the pleasures: Job 20:5, Job 21:11-13; Psa 73:18-20; Isa 21:4, Isa 47:8, Isa 47:9; Luk 12:19, Luk 12:20; Luk 16:25; Jam 5:5; Rev 18:7 Hebrews 11:26”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Sources and verification