Hebrews 10:39

KJV

But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G1161} we {G2249} are {G2070} not {G3756} of them who draw back {G5289} unto {G1519} perdition {G684}; but {G235} of them that believe {G4102} to {G1519} the saving {G4047} of the soul {G5590}.

Complete Jewish Bible

However, we are not the kind who shrink back and are destroyed; on the contrary, we keep trusting and thus preserve our lives!

Berean Standard Bible

But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.

American Standard Version

But we are not of them that shrink back unto perdition; but of them that have faith unto the saving of the soul.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Hebrews 10:39 serves as a powerful declaration of confidence from the author to his readers, assuring them that they are not among those who retreat from faith into spiritual ruin, but rather belong to the company of those whose steadfast belief leads to the ultimate preservation and salvation of their souls. This verse sharply contrasts two distinct paths: one of apostasy and destruction, and another of enduring faith culminating in eternal life, thereby reinforcing the critical importance of perseverance in the Christian walk.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Hebrews 10:39 concludes a pivotal section of the epistle that transitions from profound theological exposition on the superiority of Christ's sacrifice and new covenant (chapters 7-10:18) to urgent exhortations for faithful endurance. Immediately preceding this verse, the author delivers a solemn warning against deliberate and persistent sin after receiving the knowledge of the truth, emphasizing the terrifying judgment awaiting those who "trample the Son of God underfoot" and "insult the Spirit of grace" ([Hebrews 10:26-31](/hebrews/10-26-31 "Hebrews 10:26-31 - The Warning Against Willful Sin")). This warning is followed by a reminder of the readers' past faithfulness and endurance through suffering, encouraging them to recall their "former days" ([Hebrews 10:32-34](/hebrews/10-32-34 "Hebrews 10:32-34 - Remembering Past Endurance")). The author then urges them not to "cast away their confidence" ([Hebrews 10:35](/hebrews/10-35 "Hebrews 10:35 - Hold Fast to Your Confidence")) and to exercise patience, for "you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised" ([Hebrews 10:36](/hebrews/10-36 "Hebrews 10:36 - The Need for Endurance")). The verse directly preceding, [Hebrews 10:38](/hebrews/10-38 "Hebrews 10:38 - The Just Live by Faith"), quotes Habakkuk 2:4, stating, "Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him." Thus, [Hebrews 10:39](/hebrews/10-39 "Hebrews 10:39 - Perseverance of the Believer") serves as a powerful, affirmative declaration, a confident assurance that the readers, despite the preceding warnings, are indeed among those who will persevere.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Epistle to the Hebrews was written to a community of Jewish Christians, likely in Rome or Italy, who were facing significant pressure and persecution. This pressure manifested in various forms: social ostracization from their Jewish communities, economic hardship, and potentially even physical persecution or martyrdom. The temptation was strong for these believers to revert to the perceived safety and familiarity of Judaism, with its temple rituals and ancestral traditions, thereby abandoning their confession of Christ. The author's repeated warnings against "drawing back" or "falling away" ([Hebrews 2:1-3](/hebrews/2-1-3 "Hebrews 2:1-3 - The Danger of Drifting Away"), [Hebrews 3:12](/hebrews/3-12 "Beware of an Unbelieving Heart"), [Hebrews 6:4-6](/hebrews/6-4-6 "The Impossibility of Renewing Apostates")) reflect the very real danger of apostasy in their socio-religious environment. The cultural context also involved a deep-seated respect for ancestral traditions and the Mosaic Law, making the shift to a faith centered on a crucified Messiah a radical and challenging departure that required immense courage and conviction.
* **Key Themes:** The verse significantly contributes to several overarching themes within Hebrews. The primary theme is **Perseverance in Faith**, underscoring that genuine faith is not static but dynamic, requiring steadfastness and endurance, especially amidst trials. This perseverance is presented not as a means to earn salvation, but as an essential evidence and outgrowth of true saving faith. Closely related is the **Danger of Apostasy**, which is a recurring warning throughout the epistle. The phrase "draw back unto perdition" highlights the severe and eternal consequences of abandoning one's Christian confession. Conversely, the verse champions **The Certainty of Salvation for Believers**, asserting that those who truly believe will experience the "saving of the soul," signifying ultimate spiritual preservation and eternal life through Christ. Finally, the verse reinforces **Faith as the Defining Mark of True Discipleship**, sharply distinguishing between those who retreat from Christ and those who, by faith, press forward to receive the promised inheritance. This distinction aligns with the book's emphasis on Christ as the "author and perfecter of our faith" ([Hebrews 12:2](/hebrews/12-2 "Hebrews 12:2 - Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of Faith")) and the call to "run with endurance the race that is set before us" ([Hebrews 12:1](/hebrews/12-1 "Hebrews 12:1 - Running the Race with Endurance")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **draw back (Greek, _hypostolḗ'_):** From G5289, meaning "shrinkage (timidity), i.e. (by implication) apostasy." This term denotes a deliberate act of retreating, shrinking back, or withdrawing from a commitment or position. It implies a conscious decision to abandon one's Christian confession, often due to fear, persecution, or a return to former ways of life. It is not a passive falling away but an active turning back.
* **perdition (Greek, _apṓleia'_):** From G684, signifying "ruin or loss (physical, spiritual or eternal)." In this context, "perdition" refers to eternal spiritual ruin, a state of ultimate separation from God and everlasting destruction, rather than merely physical death or temporary hardship. It is the antithesis of the "saving of the soul."
* **saving (Greek, _peripoíēsis'_):** From G4047, meaning "acquisition (the act or the thing); by extension, preservation." This term can refer to the act of obtaining or acquiring something, or to the thing acquired. Here, it specifically denotes the preservation or ultimate security of the soul. It signifies the lasting, eternal outcome of steadfast faith, contrasting sharply with "perdition."

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition;"**: The verse begins with a strong adversative conjunction ("But," G1161 _dé_), signaling a sharp contrast with the preceding warning in [Hebrews 10:38](/hebrews/10-38 "Hebrews 10:38 - The Just Live by Faith") about those who "draw back." The author confidently includes himself and his readers in the category of those who will *not* fall away. The phrase "draw back unto perdition" describes a deliberate and decisive retreat from faith, leading to ultimate spiritual ruin and eternal separation from God. This is not a temporary lapse but a final, fatal abandonment.
* **"but of them that believe to the saving of the soul."**: This clause presents the glorious alternative, introduced by another strong adversative ("but," G235 _allá_), emphasizing the stark difference. In contrast to those who apostatize, the author affirms that he and his readers belong to the group "that believe." This belief is not merely intellectual assent but a living, active, and enduring faith that perseveres through trials. The ultimate outcome of this steadfast faith is "the saving of the soul," which refers to the complete and eternal preservation of one's spiritual life and being, culminating in eternal salvation and fellowship with God.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Hebrews 10:39 is **Antithesis** or **Contrast**. The verse is structured as a direct opposition between two distinct groups and their respective destinies: "them who draw back unto perdition" versus "them that believe to the saving of the soul." This stark contrast serves to highlight the critical choice facing the readers and to emphasize the profound consequences of each path. The author employs a **Rhetorical Shift** from the preceding warnings (e.g., [Hebrews 10:26-31](/hebrews/10-26-31 "Hebrews 10:26-31 - The Warning Against Willful Sin")) to a powerful **Declaration of Assurance**. By including himself ("we are not"), the author expresses a deep pastoral confidence in the genuine faith of his audience, thereby offering encouragement and reinforcing their identity as true believers. This declaration functions as a form of **Exhortation by Affirmation**, implicitly urging them to live up to this confident assessment of their spiritual state.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Hebrews 10:39 speaks profoundly to the nature of true saving faith and divine preservation. It asserts that genuine faith is inherently persevering; it is not a fleeting emotion or a momentary decision, but a steadfast commitment that endures through trials and temptations. This perseverance is not presented as a human achievement that earns salvation, but rather as the evidence and fruit of a faith that has been truly given by God and is sustained by His power. The "saving of the soul" is the teleological outcome of such faith, indicating that God's work in the believer is not incomplete or fragile, but moves inexorably towards its intended, eternal preservation. This verse, therefore, offers a powerful affirmation of the security of the believer, not in a way that promotes complacency, but in a manner that encourages active, confident endurance rooted in the faithfulness of God.

* [Philippians 1:6](/philippians/1-6 "Philippians 1:6 - God Will Complete His Work"): "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ."
* [1 John 2:19](/1_john/2-19 "1 John 2:19 - They Went Out From Us"): "They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us."
* [Matthew 24:13](/matthew/24-13 "Matthew 24:13 - He Who Endures to the End"): "But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Hebrews 10:39 offers both a profound comfort and a challenging call to introspection for every believer. In a world fraught with trials, doubts, and temptations to compromise faith, this verse reminds us that the mark of true discipleship is not the absence of struggle, but the presence of enduring faith that refuses to "draw back." It reassures us that those who genuinely belong to Christ are kept by His power unto salvation, providing immense peace in the face of spiritual warfare or personal weakness. However, this assurance simultaneously serves as a powerful impetus for self-examination: are we actively pressing forward in our faith, or are there areas where we are shrinking back from commitment, obedience, or witness? Our perseverance is not a means to earn salvation, but rather the vital evidence that our faith is living and true. This verse calls us to cultivate a steadfast reliance on Christ, to hold fast to the hope we profess, and to live with the certain expectation of the "saving of the soul," which empowers us to face present difficulties with courage and unwavering conviction.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be tempted to "draw back" from my commitment to Christ, whether due to fear, comfort, or worldly pressures?**
* **How does the promise of "the saving of the soul" motivate me to persevere through current challenges or spiritual dryness?**
* **What practical steps can I take today to strengthen my faith and ensure I am among "them that believe" and not "them who draw back"?**
* **How does this verse shape my understanding of the relationship between human perseverance and divine preservation in salvation?**

### FAQ

**Does Hebrews 10:39 teach "once saved, always saved" or the possibility of losing salvation?**

Answer: Hebrews 10:39, in conjunction with the broader context of the epistle, emphasizes the *perseverance of the saints* as a mark of true saving faith, rather than directly addressing the theological debate of "once saved, always saved" versus "loss of salvation." The author expresses confidence that his readers, as genuine believers, will not ultimately apostatize to perdition. Those who "draw back unto perdition" are presented as distinct from "them that believe to the saving of the soul." This suggests that a final, decisive turning away from Christ indicates that one's faith was never genuine or saving to begin with, aligning with passages like [1 John 2:19](/1_john/2-19 "1 John 2:19 - They Went Out From Us"). The verse serves as a powerful encouragement for true believers to persevere, knowing that their endurance is evidence of God's preserving work in their lives, rather than suggesting that genuine believers can lose a salvation they truly possessed.

**What does "the saving of the soul" mean in this context?**

Answer: "The saving of the soul" (Greek: _peripoíēsis psychēs_) refers to the ultimate and complete preservation of one's spiritual life and being, culminating in eternal salvation. It encompasses not just a future heavenly destination but the ongoing spiritual vitality and security that comes from a genuine relationship with God through Christ. In contrast to "perdition" (eternal ruin), "the saving of the soul" signifies the secure and lasting enjoyment of God's presence and the fulfillment of all His promises. It speaks to the final, glorious outcome for those who remain steadfast in their faith.

**How can I know if I am "of them that believe" and not "them who draw back"?**

Answer: The verse itself provides the primary indicator: those who are "of them that believe" are characterized by their ongoing faith and perseverance. While feelings can be deceptive, true saving faith is evidenced by a continued reliance on Christ, a desire to obey His commands, a turning away from sin, and an endurance through trials. It's not about perfect performance, but about the direction of one's life and the object of one's trust. Regular self-examination, consistent engagement with God's Word, prayer, fellowship with other believers, and a genuine desire to follow Christ are all indicators that one is indeed among "them that believe." As [2 Peter 1:10](/2_peter/1-10 "2 Peter 1:10 - Make Your Calling and Election Sure") encourages, "make your calling and election sure."

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Hebrews 10:39 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus, who is not only the object of our faith but also its very foundation and enabler. We are able to be "of them that believe to the saving of the soul" precisely because of Christ's perfect and complete sacrifice, which has secured our eternal redemption. He is the "author and perfecter of our faith" ([Hebrews 12:2](/hebrews/12-2 "Hebrews 12:2 - Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of Faith")), meaning He initiates and sustains our faith until its glorious completion. It is His High Priestly intercession that keeps us from drawing back; as our great High Priest, He ever lives to make intercession for us, enabling us to "draw near with confidence to the throne of grace" ([Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Drawing Near to the Throne of Grace")) and ensuring that we are "able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them" ([Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Christ's Eternal Intercession")). Our perseverance is therefore not based on our own strength or resolve, but on the unwavering faithfulness and power of Christ, who has promised that "no one will snatch them out of my hand" ([John 10:28](/john/10-28 "John 10:28 - Jesus' Assurance of Eternal Security")). He is the secure anchor for our souls, ensuring that those truly united to Him by faith will never ultimately "draw back unto perdition."

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 John 5:5

Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

1 Peter 1:5

Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Mark 16:16

He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

2 Thessalonians 2:12

That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

2 Thessalonians 2:14

Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 John 5:16

If any man see his brother sin a sin [which is] not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.

1 Samuel 15:11

It repenteth me that I have set up Saul [to be] king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the LORD all night.