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Hebrews 10:39

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

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}.

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

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

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

Commentary

Context

Hebrews 10:39 concludes a significant section of the Epistle to the Hebrews, which is largely addressed to Jewish Christians who were facing intense persecution and temptation to abandon their Christian faith and revert to Judaism. The author has just delivered a serious warning about the danger of willful sin after receiving the knowledge of the truth (Hebrews 10:26-31), emphasizing the terrifying prospect for those who turn away from Christ. He then reminds them of their past endurance through suffering and persecution (Hebrews 10:32-34) and encourages them to persevere, assuring them that their endurance will bring a great reward (Hebrews 10:35-36). The verse immediately preceding, Hebrews 10:38, states, "Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him." Hebrews 10:39 serves as a powerful declaration of confidence that the readers, and indeed all true believers, will not be among those who fall away.

Key Themes

  • Perseverance in Faith: The core message is one of endurance. The author expresses confidence that his readers will not abandon their faith despite trials, but will continue in belief.
  • The Danger of Apostasy: The "them who draw back unto perdition" represents a solemn warning against abandoning one's Christian confession, leading to spiritual ruin.
  • The Certainty of Salvation for Believers: In contrast to those who draw back, true believers are those whose faith leads to the ultimate "saving of the soul," signifying eternal life and spiritual preservation.
  • Faith as the Mark of True Discipleship: The verse sharply distinguishes between two paths: one of retreat and destruction, and one of belief and salvation, underscoring faith as the defining characteristic of God's people.

Linguistic Insights

  • "draw back" (KJV): The Greek word is hypostolē (ὑποστολή), meaning "a shrinking back," "timidity," or "apostasy." It describes a deliberate act of retreating from a commitment or position, rather than a passive falling away. This emphasizes the conscious choice involved in abandoning faith.
  • "perdition": The Greek term is apōleia (ἀπώλεια), which signifies "destruction," "ruin," or "loss." In this context, it refers to eternal spiritual ruin, a state of ultimate separation from God, not merely physical death.
  • "saving of the soul": The phrase uses the Greek peripoiēsis psychēs (περιποίησις ψυχῆς). Peripoiēsis means "preservation" or "obtaining/acquiring," while psychēs refers to the "soul" or "life." Thus, it speaks of the ultimate preservation of one's spiritual life, or the acquisition of eternal salvation. This highlights the positive outcome of enduring faith.

Significance and Application

Hebrews 10:39 offers both profound assurance and a solemn warning. For believers, it is a statement of confidence that genuine faith will persevere. It reassures that those who truly belong to Christ will not ultimately abandon Him to their own destruction. This aligns with the biblical teaching that true faith is enduring and will lead to ultimate salvation, a gift received through belief, as seen in Ephesians 2:8.

Conversely, the verse also serves as a strong encouragement to self-examination and steadfastness. It calls believers to remain vigilant against the temptation to shrink back from their commitment to Christ, especially during times of difficulty or spiritual apathy. Our perseverance is not a means of earning salvation, but rather a vital evidence of true, saving faith. This verse reminds us that the path of faith is one of forward movement and endurance, not retreat. We are called to live by faith, looking forward to the fulfillment of God's promises, and to hold fast our confession without wavering.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 John 5:5 (11 votes)

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

  • 1 Peter 1:5 (7 votes)

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

  • Mark 16:16 (6 votes)

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

  • 2 Thessalonians 2:12 (5 votes)

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

  • 2 Thessalonians 2:14 (5 votes)

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

  • 1 John 5:16 (5 votes)

    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 (5 votes)

    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.