Is he too scared to commit to a relationship?

This guy and I used to message each other every day, it was 50/50 who messaged first and he opened up to me about how he has issues getting close to people and is more reserved now because of a past relationship and losing a close family member last year. We got on so well then out of the blue he messaged me ‘I’m not really thinking about anything at the moment, things change’ I seen him out at the weekend and he started opening up to me again, said he doesn’t feel like he can commit to a relationship with any girl and that the problem lies with  him. He said it’s gonna take a lot for someone to make him want to commit. We made out and things got quite heated... he’s really family oriented doesn’t strike me as the type who’s just out for sex, he said he hasn’t been brought up that way. People that know him think he’s putting on a front trying to act tough so he doesn’t get hurt again when really he wants to be with someone and someone to comfort him. I just don’t know what to do now?? we’ve been talking quite a bit again but I don’t want to push him away from me, he opens up to me about personal stuff then he’ll disappear for a bit then come back again. Am I wasting my time here or should I keep trying? I really don’t know what to do, we have such a good connection at times when he doesn’t shut me out