Charles Ellicott Commentary Hebrews 11:26

"accounting the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt: for he looked unto the recompense of reward." — Hebrews 11:26 (ASV)

The reproach of Christ.—Better, The reproach of the Christ. Many explanations have been proposed for this remarkable phrase, some of which—such as “reproach for Christ,” or “reproach similar to that which Christ endured”—cannot possibly give the true meaning. The first point to be noted is that the words are almost exactly a quotation from one of the chief Messianic Psalms (Psalms 89:50–51): Remember, Lord, the reproach of Thy servants; how I do bear in my bosom the reproach of many peoples: wherewith Thine enemies have reproached, O Lord; wherewith they have reproached the footsteps of Thine Anointed.

Here the writer, in effect, speaks of himself as bearing “the reproach of the Anointed” of the Lord, pleading in his name and identifying himself with his cause. “The Anointed” is the king who (see the Note on Hebrews 1:5) was the type of the promised Christ. Throughout their entire history, the people of Israel were the people of the Christ. Their national existence originated in the promise to Abraham, which was a promise of the Christ; and until the fullness of time came, their mission was to prepare the way for Him.

The reproach which Moses accepted by joining the people of the promise was, therefore, “the reproach of the Christ,” the type of that “reproach” which in later days His people will share with Him (Hebrews 13:13). He who was to appear in the last days as the Messiah was already in the midst of Israel (John 1:10). (Colossians 1:24; 1 Peter 1:11; the Note on 2 Corinthians 1:5; and Philippians 3:7-11, which furnishes a noble illustration of this entire record.)

For he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.—Rather, for he looked to the recompence (Hebrews 10:35). He habitually “looked away” from the treasures in Egypt and fixed his eye on the heavenly reward.