Art Toombs Ministries
Online Bible Commentary
In Just a Very Little While
Hebrews 10:32 But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings: 33 partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated; 34 for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven. 35 Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. 36 For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: 37 "For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry. 38 Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him." 39 But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul. (NKJV)
The early Eastern Church (Dionysius and Clement, both of Alexandria), from the second century, claimed Paul was the writer of Hebrews. The Western Church later agreed.
Luke translated the letter to the Hebrews into Greek, according to Clement in the second century. Luke was with Paul during his second Roman imprisonment and was his amanuensis during Paul’s final days (2 Timothy 4:11).
It is likely that Luke was also Paul’s amanuensis for this letter. My conclusion is that this was Paul’s last writing, written in late 67-early 68 A.D.
In this letter, Paul is writing to Hebrews who have converted to Christianity from Judaism. Family and friends are pulling at them to return to Judaism, so Paul is writing to these Hebrew Christians to encourage them to remain steadfast in their faith and not to return to Judaism.
It is important at this point to align the message of remaining steadfast in the faith with the teaching of the Bible on the whole. Proper Biblical interpretation requires that a verse be interpreted within its context in the passage, in the book, and in the entirety of the Bible.
The Bible teaches that we cannot lose our salvation. Once we become a Christian we will endure in our faith. That is because true Christians are indwelled by the Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing eternal life (Eph. 1:13-14, et al.).
Merriam Webster defines an apostate as someone whose beliefs have changed and who no longer belongs to a religious or political group. This is impossible for the true Christian.
Therefore, an apostate “Christian” is one who claimed to be a Christian but never was. He may have made a profession of faith but his profession was not genuine, and he was never indwelled by the Holy Spirit.
The Lord knows who is a true Christian and who is not. The Bible says that God will separate the wheat from the tares, the true Christians from the look-alikes. Those look-alikes can still be converted, and so the writer is really addressing those people when he encourages the readers to remain steadfast in their faith.
In this passage, Paul has ventured into the second, and final, subject of his letter to the Hebrew Christians. The first subject was to proclaim the superiority of Christ. The second subject began with 10:19 and consists of exhortations to obedient living.
The writer covers three main topics in this passage. He reminds the readers of their spiritual history and all that they have invested in the Christian faith (vv. 32-36).
Paul begins by writing “But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings:” (v. 32). Those who sign up for Christianity also sign up for persecution.
The persecution of those first century Hebrews who switched to this new “sect”, initially called “the Way”, and then Christianity, were completely disowned by friends and family.
When they were “illuminated”, identified, as believers of this new sect, they lost everything. Their possessions were even subject to being confiscated by the state.
Paul continues with “partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated;” (v. 33). They were subject to having their reputations ruined, or even being imprisoned, for expressing their faith or for aligning themselves with those who did.
Paul writes “for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven (v. 34). He reminds them of all they gave up in order to get to this point where they are today. He reminds them that they “have a better and an enduring possession”, salvation “in Heaven”.
Paul continues with “35 Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward 36 For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise”. The Hebrews will be richly rewarded. If they persevere in the “will of God” they will receive what He has promised, eternal life with the Lord.
Paul’s second main topic of this passage is that he attempts to strengthen their resolve to persevere to the finish line by reminding them that their race will soon be over. Paul writes "For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry” (v. 37).
Paul attempts to strengthen the resolve of the Hebrews by reminding them that they are approaching the finish line. In a very little while the race will be over. Many first century Christians believed that Christ would return during their lifetime.
The third main topic of this passage is that Paul warns the Hebrews that God would not be pleased if they turn on Him and become apostates (vv. 38-39). He writes “38 Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him. 39 But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul”.
God “will not be pleased” if they do not endure in the faith (v. 38). God’s judgment of apostates is “perdition”, eternal life in Hell (v. 39a}.
Perdition is defined as a state of eternal punishment and damnation. True Christians persevere to the “saving of the soul” (v. 39b).
The worst is over, and the best is yet to come. This is not the time to give up. For the true Christian that time never comes.
We are approaching the finish line. We are not promised tomorrow. Christ may return during our lifetime.
However, whether He does or He doesn’t, our time on this earth is just a very little while. We can, and will, persevere.