Hebrews 10:36-37
For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. For, “Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay;
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The promise isn't just something you obtain, but something you "carry away for use and enjoyment." This implies the reward isn't a static prize, but a vibrant, active participation in God's presence.
The author is encouraging believers who have already shown great faith and courage, but are now facing weariness and the temptation to give up. He reminds them that their endurance is crucial, not just for persevering through current trials, but for ultimately receiving the eternal reward God has promised them.
The verse says you 'have need of endurance.' But what kind of endurance are we talking about? It’s more than just sitting back and hoping for the best.
The Greek word used here for 'patience' isn't about a passive, resigned waiting. Think of it more like 'steadfast endurance' or 'perseverance.' It's an active, determined holding on through difficult circumstances.
Active Perseverance
The verse connects doing God's will with receiving His promise. But what does 'doing the will of God' truly encompass in this context?
When the writer talks about 'doing the will of God' here, it’s not a one-time action. It refers to a consistent commitment and ongoing obedience that includes both belief and action, especially in the face of suffering.
What 'Doing the Will' Looks Like:
Understand the original words
hypomonē · Greek Noun
The quality of steadfastness, patience, or perseverance under trial; the capacity to hold fast to one's faith and duty despite suffering or opposition.
thelēma · Greek Noun
God's sovereign desire, purpose, or moral standard for humanity, which believers are called to obey and align their lives with.
The recipients of Hebrews were likely Jewish Christians struggling under immense pressure, possibly exacerbated by the turmoil following the Great Fire of Rome and the looming destruction of Jerusalem. The call for endurance in this verse was a vital message for those facing hardship and questioning their commitment.
c. 49 BC
Caesar Crosses the Rubicon
Julius Caesar's decision to cross the Rubicon River with his army marked the beginning of a civil war in Rome. This event destabilized the Roman Republic and led to significant political upheaval.
c. 44 BC
Assassination of Julius Caesar
The assassination of Julius Caesar by a group of senators, who feared his growing power, plunged Rome into further civil unrest and a power struggle for control.
c. 27 BC
Augustus Becomes First Roman Emperor
Octavian, later known as Augustus, emerged victorious from the civil wars and established the Roman Empire, ushering in a period of relative peace known as the Pax Romana.
c. AD 30-33
Crucifixion of Jesus Christ
Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection formed the cornerstone of the Christian faith, leading to the establishment of early Christian communities.
This passage directly connects the testing of faith to the development of perseverance, echoing Hebrews' emphasis on enduring through trials to receive what is promised.
Romans 5:3-5It explains how suffering produces perseverance, which in turn builds character and hope, mirroring the process described in Hebrews where enduring leads to receiving the promise.
Matthew 7:21This verse highlights that doing the will of God is essential for entering the kingdom, a concept that underpins the connection in Hebrews between persevering in obedience and receiving the ultimate promise.
Hebrews 6:11-12It speaks of desiring to show diligence so that you may come to full assurance through faith and perseverance, directly linking endurance with the certainty of promises, as seen in chapter 10.
1 Peter 1:6-7This passage describes enduring various trials to test the genuineness of faith, which will result in praise and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, echoing the theme of patient endurance leading to a future reward.
vincentHebrews 10:36: "For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise."
Ye might receive the promise (κομίσησθε τὴν ἐπαγγελίαν)Comp. Hebrews 11:13, Hebrews 11:39, and see on 1 Peter 1:8. The verb implies, not mere obtaining, but receiving and carrying away for use and enjoyment.
barnesHebrews 10:36: "For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise."
For ye have need of patience - They were then suffering, and in all trials we have need of patience. We have need of it because there is in us so much disposition to complain and repine; because our nature is liable to sink under sufferings; and because our trials are often protracted. All that Christians can do in such cases is to be patient - to lie calmly in the hands of God…
The promise isn't just something you obtain, but something you "carry away for use and enjoyment." This implies the reward isn't a static prize, but a vibrant, active participation in God's presence.
The author is encouraging believers who have already shown great faith and courage, but are now facing weariness and the temptation to give up. He reminds them that their endurance is crucial, not just for persevering through current trials, but for ultimately receiving the eternal reward God has promised them.
The author is encouraging believers who have already shown great faith and courage, but are now facing weariness and the temptation to give up. He reminds them that their endurance is crucial, not just for persevering through current trials, but for ultimately receiving the eternal reward God has promised them.
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We are told that doing God's will leads to receiving 'what is promised.' What exactly is this future reward, and why does it require endurance?
The 'promise' here refers to the ultimate, eternal reward – the full inheritance of God's kingdom and life with Him forever. This isn't something we can earn or get instantly; it requires persevering through our earthly journey.
Understanding the Promise:
c. AD 64
Great Fire of Rome
A devastating fire swept through Rome, and Emperor Nero blamed Christians, initiating the first major persecution of the early church. This led to widespread suffering and martyrdom.
c. AD 65-70— this verse
Writing of Hebrews
The author of Hebrews wrote to Jewish Christians who were facing intense pressure to abandon their newfound faith due to persecution and social ostracism. The letter encourages them to persevere.
AD 70
Destruction of the Second Temple
The Roman legions destroyed Jerusalem and the Second Temple. This catastrophic event had profound implications for Jewish life and faith, and for Jewish Christians, it underscored the end of an era.
"For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. For,
“Yet a little while,
and the coming one will come and will not delay;" — The promise isn't just something you obtain, but something you "carry away for use and enjoyment." This implies the reward isn't a static prize, but a vibrant, active participation in God's presence.