Albert Barnes Commentary Hebrews 10:35

"Cast not away therefore your boldness, which hath great recompense of reward." — Hebrews 10:35 (ASV)

Cast not away therefore your confidence. Greek: "your boldness;" referring to their confident hope in God. They were not to cast this away and become timid, disheartened, and discouraged. They were to bear up courageously under all their trials and maintain a steadfast adherence to God and His cause.

The command is not to "cast this away." Nothing could take it from them if they trusted in God; it could be lost only by their own neglect or imprudence.

Rosenmuller supposes (Alte und Neue Morgenland, in loc.) that there may be an allusion here to the disgrace that was attached to the act of a warrior who cast away his shield. Among the Greeks, this was a crime punishable by death.

Alexander ab Alexandro, Gen. Dier. L. ii. c. 13. Among the ancient Germans, Tacitus says that losing the shield in battle was regarded as the deepest dishonor. Those who were guilty of it were not allowed to be present at the sacrifices or in the assembly of the people. Many, he says, who had suffered this calamity, ended their own lives with a noose due to the loss of honor. (Tacitus, Germania, c. 6.)

A similar disgrace would attend the Christian soldier if he were to cast away his shield of faith. .

Which hath great recompence of reward. It will provide a reward through the peace of mind that it gives here and will be connected with the rewards of heaven.