John Calvin Commentary Hebrews 10:34

"For ye both had compassion on them that were in bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of you possessions, knowing that ye have for yourselves a better possession and an abiding one." — Hebrews 10:34 (ASV)

And took joyfully, etc. There is no doubt that as they were men who had feelings, the loss of their goods caused them grief; yet their sorrow was such that it did not prevent the joy of which the Apostle speaks. As poverty is considered an evil, the plundering of their goods, considered in itself, caused them grief; but as they looked higher, they found a cause for joy, which relieved whatever grief they felt.

It is indeed therefore necessary that our thoughts should be drawn away from the world by looking at the heavenly recompense; nor do I say anything different from what all the godly find to be the case by experience. And undoubtedly, we joyfully embrace what we are persuaded will end in our salvation; and this persuasion the children of God undoubtedly have regarding the conflicts which they undertake for the glory of Christ. Hence, carnal feelings never prevail so strongly in overwhelming them with grief that, with their minds raised up to heaven, they do not emerge into spiritual joy.

And this is proved by what he adds, knowing that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. Joyfully then did they endure the plundering of their goods, not because they were glad to find themselves plundered; but as their minds were fixed on the recompense, they easily forgot the grief caused by their present calamity.

Indeed, wherever there is a lively perception of heavenly things, the world with all its allurements is not relished so much that either poverty or shame can overwhelm our minds with grief. If then we wish to bear anything for Christ with patience and resigned minds, let us accustom ourselves to a frequent meditation on that felicity, in comparison with which all the good things of the world are nothing but refuse. Nor are we to pass by these words, knowing that ye have; for unless one is fully persuaded that the inheritance which God has promised to His children belongs to him, all his knowledge will be cold and useless.