Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Hebrews 10:27
But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
27. but a certain fearful looking for of judgment ] All that is left for willing apostates when they have turned their backs on the sole means of grace is “some fearful expectance of a judgment.” They are “heaping up to themselves wrath against the day of wrath” (Rom 2:5).
and fiery indignation ] Lit., “and a jealousy of fire.” He is thinking of God “as a consuming fire” (Heb 12:29) and of the question “Shall thy jealousy burn like fire?” Psa 79:5 (comp. Eze 35:5).
which shall devour the adversaries ] “Yea let fire devour thine enemies” (Isa 26:11). It has so long been the custom to interpret such passages of “eternal torments” that we lose sight of the fact that such a meaning, if we may interpret Scripture historically, was in most cases not consciously present to the mind of the writers. The constant repetition of the same metaphor by the Prophets with no reference except to temporal calamities and the overthrow of cities and nations made it familiar in this sense to the N.T. writers. By “the adversaries” here are not meant “sinners,” but impenitent Jews and wilful apostates who would perish in the Day of the Lord (2Th 1:8). It is at least doubtful whether the writer meant to imply anything beyond that prophecy of doom to the heirs of the Old Covenant which was fulfilled a few years later when the fire of God’s wrath consumed the whole system of a Judaism which had rejected its own Messiah. The word for “adversaries” only occurs in the N.T. in Col 2:14.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
But a certain fearful looking for of judgment – The word certain here does not mean fixed, sure, inevitable, as our translation would seem to imply. The Greek is the same as a ( tis) fearful expectation, etc. So it is rendered by Tyndale. The idea is, that if there was voluntary apostasy after having embraced the Christian religion, there could be nothing but an expectation of the judgment to come. There could be no other hope but that through the gospel, and as this would have been renounced, it would follow that the soul must perish. The fearful apprehension or expectation here does not refer so much to what would be in the mind itself, or what would be experienced, as to what must follow. It might be that the person referred to would have no realizing sense of all this, and still his situation be that of one who had nothing to expect but the terrors of the judgment to come.
And fiery indignation – Fire is often used in the Scriptures as an emblem of fierce punishment. The idea is, that the person referred to could expect nothing but the wrath of God.
Which shall devour the adversaries – All who become the adversaries or enemies of the Lord. Fire is often said to devour, or consume, and the meaning here is, that those who should thus become the enemies of the Lord must perish.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 27. A certain fearful looking for of judgment] From this it is evident that God will pardon no man without a sacrifice for sin; for otherwise, as Dr. Macknight argues, it would not follow, from there remaining to apostates no more sacrifice for sin, that there must remain to them a dreadful expectation of judgment.
And fiery indignation] . A zeal, or fervour of fire; something similar to the fire that came down from heaven and destroyed Korah and his company; Nu 16:35.
Probably the apostle here refers to the case of the unbelieving Jews in general, as in chap. 6: to the dreadful judgment that was coming upon them, and the burning up their temple and city with fire. These people had, by the preaching of Christ and his apostles, received the knowledge of the truth. It was impossible that they could have witnessed his miracles and heard his doctrine without being convinced that he was the Messiah, and that their own system was at an end; but they rejected this only sacrifice at a time when God abolished their own: to that nation, therefore, there remained no other sacrifice for sin; therefore the dreadful judgment came, the fiery indignation was poured out, and they, as adversaries, were devoured by it.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
But a certain fearful looking for of judgment: But, is introducing the terrible evil asserted to be expected when sacrifice cannot hetp such sinners, especial and certain, terrible and dreadful (such as fills the soul with fears and horrors) expectation of judgment by their awakened consciences, not knowing how soon it may come; as a malefactor under sentence, in daily expectation of execution, how doth he suffer it over and over! So will this worm gnaw them: to which is synonymous, Mar 9:44. How must the execution of the sentence of the just Judge terrify them!
And fiery indignation; when it must be by burning, or heat of fire; wrath of fire proceeding from an injured and wronged God, Eze 36:5; 38:19; Zep 1:18; 3:8. As in execution of just vengeance, which like fire devours and eateth them up, not putting an end to their being by consumption, but perpetual piercing, searching, torturing, and this for eternity.
Which shall devour the adversaries; these underhand adversaries, , who are the most bitter enemies of Christ and his church, because secret ones, and seem to be by profession otherwise, Mat 25:41; Mar 9:43,44; 2Th 1:8,9.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
27. a certainan extraordinaryand indescribable. The indefiniteness, as of something peculiar ofits kind, makes the description the more terrible (compare Greek,Jas 1:18).
looking for“expectation”:a later sense of the Greek. ALFORDstrangely translates, as the Greek usually means elsewhere,”reception.” The transition is easy from “giving areception to” something or someone, to “looking for.”Contrast the “expecting” (the very same Greek ashere), Heb 10:13, whichrefutes ALFORD.
fiery indignationliterally,”zeal of fire.” Fire is personified: glow or ardor of fire,that is, of Him who is “a consuming fire.”
devourcontinually.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
But a certain fearful looking for of judgment,…. Either of some outward visible judgment in this life, which sometimes falls on such persons; or of the particular judgment which immediately follows after death; or of the universal judgment, after the resurrection, and the dreadful sentence of condemnation which will then pass, and be immediately executed; and which will be done by Christ, and according to truth, and in strict justice; it is certain, and there will be no escaping it, for it will be general. Now there is in this life an expectation in men of a future judgment, and in wicked men it is a fearful one; it is dreaded by them, and more especially in such men before described, when their consciences are awakened; it is a very dreadful one, inexpressibly so:
and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries; which is to be understood, not of the fire of purgatory, for this is after judgment, that is pretended to be before it; this devours, that only purges, according to the Papists; this is for adversaries, that, as is supposed, is for friends: but perhaps some fiery judgment, expressive of the wrath and indignation of God, such as befell Sodom and Gomorrah, the two sons of Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and the men that rose up with Korah against Moses and Aaron: or rather the fire of hell, which is not corporeal and material, but is the wrath of God let down into the conscience; which shows the vile nature of sin, the strictness of God’s justice, and the intolerableness of future punishment: and this is said to “devour the adversaries”; not only open ones, but secret, underhanded enemies, as the word here signifies; as such apostates are, before described, to God, and Christ, and the Spirit; to the Gospel, its doctrine, discipline, and ordinances; and to the children of God, and to the power of godliness in them: and with the fire of God’s wrath they shall be devoured; not so as to be annihilated, but shall be eternally destroyed, both soul and body; that is, everlastingly punished, or punished with everlasting destruction.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Expectation (). Usually reception or interpretation from (Heb 11:10), only here in N.T. and in unusual sense like , like (Rom 8:19; Rom 8:23; Rom 8:25), this sense apparently “coined by the writer” (Moffatt) from his use of in 10:13. The papyri have it in the sense of interpretation.
A fierceness of fire ( ). An anger (zeal, jealousy) marked (genitive) by fire. Language kin to that in Isa 26:11; Zeph 1:19; Ps 79:5. See also 2Th 1:8-10 for a like picture of destined doom.
Devour (). “To eat” (figuratively), present active infinitive.
The adversaries ( ). Old double compound adjective (, , ), in N.T. only here and Col 2:14. Those directly opposite.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
But a certain fearful looking for [ ] . Rend. “a kind of fearful expectation.” jEkdoch N. T. o, o LXX
Fiery indignation [ ] . For zhlov see on Jas 3:14. The radical idea of the word is ferment of spirit (zein to boil; see Act 18:25; Rom 12:11). This idea takes on different aspects in zhlov, as indignation, Act 5:17; zeal, Joh 2:17; Rom 10:2; 2Co 7:7; 2Co 11:2; Phi 3:6; envy, Rom 13:13; 1Co 3:3; Gal 5:20. In the last sense often with epiv strife. The phrase fiery indignation, lit. indignation of fire (N. T. o) is an adaptation from Isa 26:11. The adversaries [ ] . Only here and Col 2:14. Often in LXX
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “But a certain fearful looking for of judgement,” (phobera de tis ekdoche kriseoa) “But some fearful (kind of) expectation of judgement,” anticipated, certain judgement. This judgement of the negligent, careless, disobedient child of God is a judgement called chastisement, not damnation in hell, Heb 12:5-8.
2) “And fiery indignation,” (kai puros zelos) “And of fire-zeal,” or fiery fury of chastisement anger from God; The idea is that God’s anger burns against his children of the new covenant who willfully and presumptuously sin, even those who sin by neglecting “to assemble” and do good works, Heb 10:24-26. This chastisement seem grievous to bear for the moment, but rightly received produces good fruit, Heb 12:9-11.
3) “Which shall devour the adversaries,” (esthiein mellontos tous hupenantious) “Being about to consume the adversaries,” to consume those who willfully pursue sins and iniquities,” who run or follow a known course of disobedience to God and the profession they have made. Because of such Annanias and Sapphira lost their lives and some members of the church of Corinth as well, Act 5:1-11; 1Co 11:29-32.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
27. But a certain fearful looking for, etc. He means the torment of an evil conscience which the ungodly feel, who not only have no grace, but who also know that having tasted grace they have lost it forever through their own fault; such must not only be pricked and bitten, but also tormented and lacerated in a dreadful manner. Hence it is that they war rebelliously against God, for they cannot endure so strict a Judge. They indeed try in every way to remove the sense of God’s wrath, but all in vain; for when God allows them a short respite, he soon draws them before his tribunal, and harasses them with the torments which they especially shun.
He adds, fiery indignation, or the heat of fire; by which he means, as I think, a vehement impulse or a violent ardor. The word fire is a common metaphor; for as the ungodly are now in a heat through dread of divine wrath, so they shall then burn through the same feeling. Nor is it unknown to me, that the sophists have refinedly speculated as to this fire; but I have no regard of their glosses, since it is evident that it is the same mode of speaking as when Scripture connects fire with worm. (Isa 66:24.) But no man doubts but that worm is used metaphorically to designate that dreadful torment of conscience by which the ungodly are gnawed. (181)
Which shall devour the adversaries. It shall so devour them as to destroy, but not to consume them; for it will be inextinguishable. And thus he reminds us, that they are all to be counted the enemies of Christ who have refused to hold the place granted them among the faithful; for there is no intermediate state, as they who depart from the Church give themselves up to Satan.
(181) It is πυρὸς ζὢλος, “heat of fire;” which means hot or burning fire; the genitive here, as in some other instances, is the main subject. See chapter 3:13, note. The language is still borrowed from the Old Testament: God often destroyed the rebellious among the Israelites with fire — a symbol of the dreadful punishment of the wicked hereafter. See Lev 10:2; Num 16:35. The word ζὢλος is properly heat, but is used in a variety of senses; heat of emulation — “envy,” Act 13:45; — of wrath — “indignation” Act 5:17; — of concern, good and bad — “zeal,” Rom 10:2, and Phi 3:6; — of suspicion as to love — “jealousy,” 2Co 11:2; — and of affection — “love,” 2Co 11:2. It is the context that determines the character of this heat. Here is has evidently its literal meaning, as being connected with fire, only the noun is used for the adjective. — Ed
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(27) But a certain fearful looking for.Better, But a fearful awaiting of judgment, and a jealousy of fire that shall devour the adversaries. For Christs waiting servants the thought of judgment is lost in that of salvation (Heb. 9:27-28); to these sinners nothing is left but the awaiting of judgment. The next words are a partial quotation, or an adaptation, of Isa. 26:11 : Let them see (and be ashamed) the zeal for the people; yea, fire shall devour Thine adversaries. (The Greek translation gives the second clause correctly, but not the former part of the sentence.) In the prophetic imagery of the Old Testament the destruction of the enemies of Jehovah is but the other aspect of His zeal or jealousy for His people. This imagery was familiar to every Hebrew; and no words could show more powerfully than these that to forsake Christ for Judaism was (not to join, but) to abandon the people of God. For such apostates there remaineth the zeal, the jealous wrath, of a devouring fire. (Comp. Heb. 12:29; Malachi 4)
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
27. But there remains, persistently and forever, a certain fearful looking for. The word certain implies a peculiar but indescribable awfulness in the looking for.
Fearful Not only terrible to us contemplating it, but including fear in the apostate’s heart. So fully has divine truth once pervaded his conscience that he can never be truly at ease. He may become the greatest, but he will seldom be the tranquillest, infidel in town.
Looking for A term suggested, perhaps, by the expectation of Jerusalem’s doom as predicted by Jesus; an expectation very typical of the presentiment of doom in the conscience of the apostate.
Fiery indignation Literally, a fervor of fire which will devour; where commentators think that fire is personified as having an earnestness and as devouring. It is the living fire of divine retribution that will devour or consume the adversaries, as Jerusalem was consumed.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Heb 10:27. But a certain fearful looking for, &c. A certain frightful or formidable expectation of condemnation arising from the sense of justice in God, and the fitness of punishment to sin: And fiery indignation, , zeal of fire; such a disposition to punish the adversaries or enemies of the gospel, as may be called a zeal for fire; that is, a thorough disposition and resolution to punish them most severely.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Heb 10:27 . ] sc . : but there remains indeed , etc. The is of two kinds, something subjective ( ) and something objective ( ).
] denotes not “a terrible banquet of judgment,” as Ewald strangely translates it, nor is it any hypallage in the sense of , as Jac. Cappellus, Heinrichs, and Stengel suppose, and to which the choice is left open by Wolf. The terribleness is transferred to the subjective domain of the expectation. For one who has sinned against better light and knowledge, even the expectation of the divine judgment is something terrible.
] an exceedingly terrible one . On the , added with rhetorical emphasis to adjectives of quality or quantity, comp. Khner, II. p. 331; Winer, Gramm. , 7 Aufl. p. 160.
] is used here, too, as Heb 9:27 , quite without restriction, of the divine judgment in general. That this will be a punitive judgment is not indicated by the word; it only follows from the connection.
In the second member the emphasis rests upon the preposed , on which account also the case of the following participle conforms itself to this, not to . We cannot, therefore, with Luther and others, combine together in a single notion (“fiery zeal,” sc . of the divine wrath). The is personified, and in such way a , a fury, ascribed to the same. There was probably present to the mind of the author in connection with the last member, LXX. Isa 26:11 : .
] the adversaries . The empiric usage of the term forbids our attaching to it, with Braun and Paulus, on account of the , the notion of secret foes. See Meyer on Col . ii.14, 4 Aufl. p. 331.
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
Ver. 27. Fearful looking for ] Though judgment be not speedily executed, yet it is certainly to be expected. Winter never rots in the air, or dies in the dam’s belly, as they say. Could but men foresee what an evil and a bitter thing sin is, they durst not but be innocent.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
27 .] but (there is left remaining: is common to both clauses) a certain (this attaching of to an adjective is an elegance belonging to the more polished style of our Writer, and often found in the classics: e. g. , Diod. Sic. Heb 10:39 ; , Xen. Cyr. i. 6. 14: , ibid. vi. 4. 7: see also ref. Acts, and cf. Winer, 25. 2. c . Bernhardy’s account of the usage, Syntax, p. 442. seems to be the true one, that it has the power of a doubled adjectival sense, and generalizes the quality predicated, indicating some one of that kind, it may be any one . This is exemplified where numerals, or the like of numerals are joined with , e. g. , , , (Thuc. vi. 94), (id. viii. 100), (Arr. Ind. 7), (Plato, Rep. x. p. 601 D), as Cicero, “tres aliqui.” So here, some one out of all that might befall various men and dispositions. The indefiniteness makes the declaration more awful) fearful (objective, ‘tremendus,’ not ‘timidus,’ surchtbar , not surchtsam : fearful to think of, frightful. No figure of hypallage must be thought of, as if = , as Jac. Cappellus, Heinrichs, al., and Wolf, alt.) reception (i. e. meed, doom : not, as I believe universally interpreted without remark, expectation . appears never to have this sense, and this is the only place where it occurs in the N. T. Its meanings are, 1. reception , principally by succession from another: e. g. schin. . p. 32. 18, , : schyl. Agam. 299, : Eur. Hippol. 866, : 2. peculiar to later Greek, and principally found in Polybius, interpretation , acceptation, e. g. of the sense of a sentence: so , Polyb. iii. 29. 4: . . ., “quibus ex rebus intelligi debet” &c., id. xii. 18.7. And so Origen, comm. in Joann. tom. Heb 10:4 , vol. iv. p. 98, ( ) . But of the subjective sense, derived from the later meaning of , I find no hint or example, except the mere assertion in our N. T. lexicons, that it has that meaning in this place. From what follows, it is much better to take it objectively; all which is, the reception of the doom of judgment, and the , &c.) of judgment (i. e. by the context , unfavourable judgment), and fervour of fire (the stress is on , and is personified. It is the fire of God’s presence, identified with Himself, exactly as in ch. Heb 12:29 , : and it is the zeal, the fervour, the excandescence of this consuming fire, which awaits the apostate from Christ. , , , , . Chrys. , says Thl., ) which shall (in the Writer tranfers himself again to the present time: q. d. the fire which is destined to ) devour ( , . Thl. The same expression is found in Il. . 182, ) the adversaries (some have supposed the sense of secret enemies to be conveyed by . But as Bl. remarks, the word is good Greek, and is constantly found, without any such further sense, representing merely an enemy , e. g. Xen. Cyr. i. 6. 38, where and are used as synonymous: Herod. iii. 80, where is simply ‘the opposite of this:’ see Lexx. The is simply what may be called the ‘subjectio rei secundari:’ the prime agent is ever supposed to be highest, and his accidents come up from beneath: thus , cf. , Herod. iii. 159, &c. It is probable that the Writer has throughout this clause had in his mind ref. Isa., , ).
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
certain. Greek. tis. App-123.
fearful. Greek. phoberos. Only here, Heb 10:31, and Heb 12:21.
looking for. Greek. ekdoche. Only here. Compare Heb 10:13.
judgment. See Heb 9:27.
fiery indignation = jealousy, or fervour of fire. A Hebraism. See Psa 79:5. Eze 36:5; Eze 38:19. Zep 1:18; Zep 3:8. Compare Deu 29:20.
which shall = about to.
adversaries. Greek. hupenantios. Only here and Col 2:14.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
27.] but (there is left remaining: is common to both clauses) a certain (this attaching of to an adjective is an elegance belonging to the more polished style of our Writer, and often found in the classics: e. g. , Diod. Sic. Heb 10:39; , Xen. Cyr. i. 6. 14: , ibid. vi. 4. 7: see also ref. Acts, and cf. Winer, 25. 2. c. Bernhardys account of the usage, Syntax, p. 442. seems to be the true one, that it has the power of a doubled adjectival sense, and generalizes the quality predicated, indicating some one of that kind, it may be any one. This is exemplified where numerals, or the like of numerals are joined with ,-e. g. , , , (Thuc. vi. 94), (id. viii. 100), (Arr. Ind. 7), (Plato, Rep. x. p. 601 D), as Cicero, tres aliqui. So here, some one out of all that might befall various men and dispositions. The indefiniteness makes the declaration more awful) fearful (objective,-tremendus, not timidus, surchtbar, not surchtsam: fearful to think of, frightful. No figure of hypallage must be thought of, as if = , as Jac. Cappellus, Heinrichs, al., and Wolf, alt.) reception (i. e. meed, doom: not, as I believe universally interpreted without remark, expectation. appears never to have this sense, and this is the only place where it occurs in the N. T. Its meanings are, 1. reception, principally by succession from another: e. g. schin. . p. 32. 18, , : schyl. Agam. 299, : Eur. Hippol. 866, : 2. peculiar to later Greek, and principally found in Polybius, interpretation, acceptation, e. g. of the sense of a sentence: so , Polyb. iii. 29. 4: …, quibus ex rebus intelligi debet &c., id. xii. 18.7. And so Origen, comm. in Joann. tom. Heb 10:4, vol. iv. p. 98, ( ) . But of the subjective sense, derived from the later meaning of , I find no hint or example, except the mere assertion in our N. T. lexicons, that it has that meaning in this place. From what follows, it is much better to take it objectively; all which is, the reception of the doom of judgment, and the , &c.) of judgment (i. e. by the context, unfavourable judgment), and fervour of fire (the stress is on , and is personified. It is the fire of Gods presence, identified with Himself, exactly as in ch. Heb 12:29, : and it is the zeal, the fervour, the excandescence of this consuming fire, which awaits the apostate from Christ. , , , , . Chrys. , says Thl., ) which shall (in the Writer tranfers himself again to the present time: q. d. the fire which is destined to ) devour ( , . Thl. The same expression is found in Il. . 182, ) the adversaries (some have supposed the sense of secret enemies to be conveyed by . But as Bl. remarks, the word is good Greek, and is constantly found, without any such further sense, representing merely an enemy, e. g. Xen. Cyr. i. 6. 38, where and are used as synonymous: Herod. iii. 80, where is simply the opposite of this: see Lexx. The is simply what may be called the subjectio rei secundari: the prime agent is ever supposed to be highest, and his accidents come up from beneath: thus ,-cf. , Herod. iii. 159, &c. It is probable that the Writer has throughout this clause had in his mind ref. Isa., , ).
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Heb 10:27. , fearful) A very bad hope.-, looking for) quite different from what is described, Heb 10:13.– ) Isa 64:1 (rather 2), LXX., , fire will consume the adversaries. We must not seek any particular meaning in , under, [as if the meaning were, underhand enemies]: in Exo 15:7, is applied to the most open enemies.-, of fire) Deu 32:22; comp. Psa 106:18.-, zeal) indignation, Deu 29:20.-, to devour) ch. Heb 12:29; Isa 26:11.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
a certain: Heb 2:3, Heb 12:25, 1Sa 28:19, 1Sa 28:20, Isa 33:14, Dan 5:6, Hos 10:8, Mat 8:29, Luk 21:26, Luk 23:30, Rev 6:15-17
fiery: Heb 12:29, Num 16:35, Psa 21:9, Jer 4:4, Eze 36:5, Eze 38:19, Joe 2:30, Nah 1:5, Nah 1:6, Zep 1:18, Zep 3:8, Mal 4:1, Mat 3:10, Mat 3:12, Mat 13:42, Mat 13:50, Mat 25:41, Mar 9:43-49, Luk 16:24, 2Th 1:8, Jam 5:3, Rev 20:15
which: Deu 32:43, Psa 68:1, Psa 68:2, Nah 1:2, Nah 1:8-10, Luk 19:27, 1Th 2:15, 1Th 2:16
Reciprocal: Lev 6:12 – the fire Deu 28:66 – General Jos 10:2 – they feared Jos 24:20 – he will turn Job 15:23 – the day Pro 10:24 – fear Pro 11:23 – expectation Pro 21:16 – wandereth Isa 22:14 – Surely Isa 66:14 – the hand Eze 3:19 – he shall Zec 11:6 – and out Joh 15:6 – he Rom 2:8 – indignation 1Th 1:10 – the wrath 2Th 2:8 – with the brightness Heb 6:8 – whose Heb 10:31 – a fearful Heb 10:38 – but 2Pe 2:20 – after
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Heb 10:27. If we do not return to Christ then we must look for that which is fearful, namely, the judgment of God at which He will exhibit fiery indignation. Devour is from a word that literally means to eat. However, we do not eat that which we dislike, hence the thought is that God will dispose of these adversaries by abandon-ing them to the regions of endless destruction.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Heb 10:27. The only thing left is a fearful award, an awful reservation, of judgment and fiery indignation (fervour of fireflaming fire, 2Th 1:8; the heat of the consuming fire of God Himself, chap. Heb 12:29), which shall devour those that oppose. The word reservation, award, is found only here in the New Testament, though the verb is not infrequent. It always means in common Greek reservation (in a literal or a figurative sense), and this is probably its meaning here. It describes not what is expected, but what will certainly be, and in truth what is already in reservea reception of judgment.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
10:27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the {n} adversaries.
(n) For it is another matter to sin through the frailty of man’s nature, and another thing to proclaim war on God as on an enemy.