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.
Hebrews 10:39 nkjv
But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.
Hebrews 10:39 niv
But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.
Hebrews 10:39 esv
But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.
Hebrews 10:39 nlt
But we are not like those who turn away from God to their own destruction. We are the faithful ones, whose souls will be saved.
Hebrews 10 39 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference Note |
|---|---|---|
| Heb 3:6 | "but Christ as a son over God’s house. We are his house if indeed we hold fast our confidence..." | Holding fast confidence for belonging |
| Heb 3:14 | "For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end." | Enduring firm for shared Christ |
| Heb 6:11-12 | "...that each one of you show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end..." | Diligence leads to assured hope |
| Hab 2:4 | "Behold, his soul is puffed up; it is not upright within him, but the righteous shall live by his faith." | Foundation for "live by faith" |
| Matt 10:22 | "And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved." | Endurance required for salvation |
| Luke 21:19 | "By your endurance you will gain your lives." | Endurance as means to gain life |
| Rom 1:17 | "For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”" | Righteousness through faith |
| Gal 3:11 | "Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.”" | Justification by faith only |
| 1 Pet 1:9 | "obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls." | Salvation as the faith's outcome |
| Phil 1:6 | "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." | God's faithfulness in preservation |
| Jude 1:24 | "Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory..." | God's ability to keep us from falling |
| 1 Jn 2:19 | "They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us." | Those who leave were not truly of us |
| Heb 6:4-8 | Strong warning against apostasy, likening to land bearing thorns. | Danger of falling away |
| 2 Pet 2:20-22 | Describes those who have escaped pollution but return to old ways. | Relapse into prior corruption |
| Luke 8:13 | "...who for a while believe, and in time of testing fall away." | Falling away in time of testing |
| 1 Tim 4:1 | "Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith..." | Departure from the faith |
| Phil 3:18-19 | Describes enemies of the cross, their end is destruction. | Enemies of the cross, perishing |
| 2 Thess 1:9 | "They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord..." | Eternal destruction from the Lord |
| Matt 7:13-14 | "...for the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many." | Broad path leads to destruction |
| Jn 6:66 | "After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him." | Many turn back from following Christ |
| 1 Cor 10:1-12 | Warnings from Israel's wilderness generation who failed to persevere. | Example of failing to persevere |
| Heb 12:1-2 | Encouragement to run with endurance, looking to Jesus. | Enduring the race of faith |
Hebrews 10 verses
Hebrews 10 39 Meaning
Hebrews 10:39 presents a clear bifurcation: the audience is firmly situated amongst those who persevere in faith, distinguishing them from those who fall away. It is an affirmation of the steadfastness of true believers, contrasted sharply with the devastating outcome of those who recoil from the faith they once professed, leading to spiritual ruin. This verse serves as both an encouragement and a sober reminder of the eternal consequences tied to enduring commitment to Christ.
Hebrews 10 39 Context
Hebrews Chapter 10 builds upon the author's exposition of Christ's superior sacrifice, highlighting its once-for-all sufficiency to perfect believers. Leading up to verse 39, the chapter contains severe warnings against willful sin and rejecting the sacrifice of Christ (Heb 10:26-31), asserting that such an act leaves no other recourse for atonement and incurs terrifying judgment. This is immediately followed by an exhortation to the audience (Heb 10:32-38) to remember their initial steadfastness in the face of suffering, reminding them that they endured previous persecutions and that they needed patient endurance to receive the promised blessings. The author quotes Habakkuk 2:4, stating that "The righteous shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him." Hebrews 10:39 then serves as a strong, positive affirmation and encouragement, separating the current audience from the hypothetical "he who shrinks back," and expressing confidence that they belong to the category of those who have enduring faith and will ultimately receive salvation. The audience, largely Jewish Christians, were under immense pressure to revert to the perceived safety and familiarity of Judaism amidst persecution and social ostracism.
Word Analysis
- But we: This phrase signals a decisive break and contrast with the immediately preceding conditional statement ("if he shrinks back" from Heb 10:38). "We" is inclusive, identifying the author with the audience, affirming a shared commitment and destiny. It shifts from a hypothetical warning to a confident declaration of their true identity in Christ.
- are not of those: This is a strong negation, making a clear distinction between two groups of people. It signifies a complete separation from a specific destiny and spiritual character. It speaks to a fundamental difference in spiritual reality.
- who shrink back (Greek: hypostolēs, transliteration: hypostolēs): Literally means "a drawing back," "a timid retreat," or "a turning away." In a spiritual sense, it denotes defection, apostasy, or a cowardly withdrawal from Christian confession and living, especially under pressure or persecution. It implies a conscious decision to abandon what one once embraced, revealing an inherent lack of true faith. This isn't merely a moment of weakness but a sustained regression leading to rejection of Christ.
- and are destroyed (Greek: apōleian, transliteration: apōleian): This word means "ruin," "loss," "perdition," "eternal damnation," or "utter loss of well-being." It signifies not annihilation, but irreversible spiritual ruin and separation from God, a state of eternal judgment for those who have deliberately abandoned the path of salvation. It is the ultimate consequence of shrinking back.
- but of those: This marks a strong contrasting affirmation. It states definitively that the audience, by God's grace and their true response, belongs to an entirely different group with an entirely different trajectory.
- who have faith (Greek: pisteōs, transliteration: pisteōs): This refers to a genuine, living, and enduring trust in God through Christ. It's not a mere intellectual assent, but a whole-hearted reliance on God's promises and person, leading to obedience and perseverance. This faith is the source and hallmark of the true believer, demonstrating a commitment that does not falter under trial. It implies action and continued adherence, as demonstrated in the subsequent "faith chapter" (Heb 11).
- and preserve their souls (Greek: peripoiēsin psychēs, transliteration: peripoiēsin psychēs): The phrase means "for the preserving/securing of soul/life," or "to the obtaining of the soul." "Peripoiēsin" signifies acquisition, obtaining, or preservation, while "psychē" refers to life, soul, or self. Here, it indicates the ultimate spiritual preservation and eternal salvation of their innermost being. It is the blessed outcome of persistent, saving faith, signifying entry into eternal life with God, directly contrasting with "destruction." This is the goal of the Christian journey, secured through endurance in faith.
- Words-group: "shrink back and are destroyed": This phrase describes a unified trajectory where the act of retreating from faith inevitably leads to eternal ruin. The two actions are causally linked: shrinking back is the chosen path, destruction is its grim destination. It highlights the serious implications of a turning away from Christ.
- Words-group: "have faith and preserve their souls": This counter-phrase illustrates the opposite trajectory. True and active faith is the characteristic of those whose ultimate destiny is eternal salvation and preservation. This emphasizes that genuine faith is inherently persevering, leading directly to the ultimate goal of salvation.
Hebrews 10 39 Bonus section
The confidence expressed by the author in Hebrews 10:39 ("But we are not of those...") is rooted in a theological understanding that true saving faith is a gift of God which inherently leads to perseverance. This does not diminish human responsibility, but rather highlights the divine enablement within genuine faith. The sharp contrast drawn also underscores the serious nature of apostasy in the New Testament; it is presented not as a mere lapse but as a fundamental revelation of one's true spiritual state – that they were never genuinely converted. This verse sets the stage for the powerful "Hall of Faith" in chapter 11, where numerous Old Testament figures are lauded for their enduring faith, further illustrating what "having faith and preserving their souls" looks like in practice. The "preservation of their souls" is the ultimate telos or end goal of the believer's journey, making it a future-oriented hope secured by present endurance.
Hebrews 10 39 Commentary
Hebrews 10:39 stands as a pivotal statement, affirming the author's confidence in the spiritual vitality of his audience while also serving as a stark distinction between true believers and apostates. The author moves from solemn warnings about the eternal consequences of deliberate apostasy (Heb 10:26-31) and exhortations to steadfastness (Heb 10:32-38) to a definitive statement of assurance. He asserts that the readers, unlike those hypothetical individuals who draw back unto destruction, are indeed among "those who have faith and preserve their souls." This implies that true faith, by its very nature, perseveres; it's a living, active trust that withstands trials and ultimately secures eternal life. It challenges superficial adherence and underscores that genuine salvation involves an enduring commitment to Christ. The verse serves as a powerful encouragement, reminding believers that their current trials are a path towards ultimate vindication and salvation, secured not by their own strength but by the sustaining power of the Spirit active through their faith. This enduring faith leads to the ultimate gain—the eternal preservation of their souls.