Hebrews 10:37Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

So that they would not say, "When will He come?" he encourages them with the words of Scripture. Elsewhere, when he says, "Now salvation is nearer to us" (Rom 13:11), he encourages them by saying that little time remains. Moreover, he does not speak from himself, but in the words of Scripture. If even then it was said, "A little while, very little, and He who is coming will come and will not delay," then clearly now He is even nearer. Thus no small reward will be received even for waiting.

He cites the prophet Habakkuk, who says that the Judge is near, in order to render recompense. If Habakkuk was already saying then, "Yet a little while, very little, and He who is coming will come," it is clear that now He is even nearer. The expression "very little" indicates a very short interval of time.

Do not lose heart. For "yet a little while, a very little while," and He who is coming will come in the Second Coming, He who came in the First Coming.

The Master is near, says the Apostle. He will come very soon and will reward their labors with heavenly blessings. Since some were probably doubting this, the Apostle fittingly added:

The words "a little while, very little," expressing the remaining time, are used instead of "very little." He calls Christ "the Coming One," who will come at His second manifestation to render to each according to his works. By the words "yet a little while, very little," he wisely comforts the fainthearted, who greatly desire to receive recompense for their labors sooner. He spoke these words truthfully. For the span of time until the end of the world is utterly insignificant before God. In His eyes a thousand years are like yesterday and like a watch of the night, which is one fourth of the night (Ps 89:4). To move them still more strongly to believe the promises of Christ, he confirms the truth of his words with the words of Habakkuk.

Do not cast away your hope, which is shown in your works, faith, temptations, and steadfastness. For all this gives us great confidence that what has been promised will be granted to us. The will of God is to believe in Him sincerely and to perform works of virtue, and, when the time calls, to struggle for them even to blood (Heb 12:4). For such people will receive what has been promised.

"For yet a little while, and He who is coming will come." The text from the prophet Habakkuk is cited with a change from the Greek translation and closer to the Hebrew text. The title "He who is coming," ὁ ἐρχόμενος, is taken from the Old Testament (Dan 7:13; Zech 9:9) and was received as a designation of the Messiah (Mt 11:3; Lk 7:19). It is very fitting for the Messiah, both as the One coming from the ages for the salvation of mankind and as the One coming until the end of time to judge the living and the dead.

Christian courage and patience are very useful to have at the present time, because the day of Christ's coming and of recompense to each according to his works is already not far off.

The prophet Habakkuk also said that the righteous shall live by faith, and that if he does not stand firm in the struggle, God will have no pleasure in him. Nevertheless, the Apostle comforts his readers: we do not belong to such unstable people, but believe firmly, so that we may hope for the salvation of our soul.