Ephrem the Syrian : Now "exposures to abuse and persecutions" they had to endure, because the law imposed on them the requirement to reveal their sins over their offerings. However, these exposures to abuse discouraged people from revealing their sins. These difficulties, he says, that you had in revealing your sins, and the shames that prevented you from revealing them, these fumes of the consciousness, which were like fierce pains and great sufferings of bitterness—all these have been taken away from you through the baptism of the waters and with the single expiation that you received. — COMMENTARY ON THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS John Chrysostom : Then he also enumerates them particularly, amplifying his discourse, and multiplying his praise. How? "Partly" (he says) "whilst ye were made a gazing-stock by reproaches and afflictions"; for reproach is a great thing, and calculated to pervert the soul, and to darken the judgment. For hear what the prophet says: "While they daily say unto me, Where is thy God?" And again, "If the enemy had reproached me, I would have borne it." For since the human race is exceedingly vainglorious, therefore it is easily overcome by this. And he did not simply say "by reproaches," but that even with great intensity, being "made a gazing-stock." For when a person is reproached alone, it is indeed painful, but far more so when in presence of all. For tell me how great the evil was when men who had left the meanness of Judaism, and gone over, as it were, to the best course of life, and despised the customs of their fathers, were ill treated by their own people, and had no help. I cannot say (he says) that ye suffered these things indeed and were grieved, but ye even rejoiced exceedingly. And this he expressed by saying, "Whilst ye became companions of them that were so used," and he brings forward the Apostles themselves. Not only (he means) were ye not ashamed of your own sufferings, but ye even shared with others who were suffering the same things. This too is the language of one who is encouraging them. He said not, "Bear my afflictions, share with me," but respect your own. — Homily on Hebrews 21 Oecumenius : "you endured a great struggle with sufferings, partly." A strong soul is needed to bear accusations and tribulations, even if they are done privately and secretly; however, since they were done openly and in front of everyone (for this means: you were made a spectacle), a stronger one is necessary. "partly while you became companions." He says that not only did you endure your own tribulations with a masculine spirit, but you also shared in the sufferings of those who were wronged, signifying the apostles, who were indeed engaged in accusations and tribulations. — The Pseudo-Oecumenian Catena on Hebrews