Devine Scripture

Hebrews 10:39

What does Hebrews 10:39 mean?

A plain-English look at Hebrews 10:39 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Hebrews 10:39 means

The author ends with a confident, pastoral affirmation: we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the saving of the soul. He includes himself with the readers in a community of perseverance. Faith here is not mere assent but persevering trust that results in salvation. Shrinking back leads to ruin because it abandons Christ, the only Savior. This declaration is meant to strengthen resolve and identity: this is who we are—people who keep believing until the end, trusting the sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice and awaiting the fulfillment of God’s promises.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But we are not of those who go back to destruction; but of those who have faith even to the salvation of the soul.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and we are not of those drawing back to destruction, but of those believing to a preserving of soul.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But we are not the children of withdrawing unto perdition, but of faith to the saving of the soul.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But we are not drawers back to perdition, but of faith to saving [the] soul.

Context

Verse 39 closes the chapter by contrasting two paths—shrinking back to perdition or believing to soul-salvation—and affirming that the readers belong to the latter. This confident conclusion responds to the warning (vv. 26–31) and the exhortations (vv. 19–25), gathering them into a communal confession of perseverance. It also transitions naturally into chapter 11, which will expound what it means to live by faith through a series of Old Testament examples, encouraging readers to continue in the same pattern.

v.38But my righteous one shall live by faith: And if he shrink back, my soul hath no pleasure in him.

v.39This passage

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Revelation 17:11

    And the beast that was, and is not, is himself also an eighth, and is of the seven; and he goeth into perdition.

  • 1 John 5:16

    If any man see his brother sinning a sin not unto death, he shall ask, and God will give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: not concerning this do I say that he should make request.

  • John 3:15

    that whosoever believeth may in him have eternal life.

  • Luke 11:26

    Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more evil than himself; and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man becometh worse than the first.

  • Psalms 44:18

    Our heart is not turned back, Neither have our steps declined from thy way,

  • 1 Peter 1:5

    who by the power of God are guarded through faith unto a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore Hebrews 10

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Hebrews 10.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to Hebrews 10:39.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary