Letter to the Hebrews Volume 118

 We 'the Just' Must Live by Faith Part 10

Hebrews 10:39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul. KJV Note: CEV=Contemporary English Version

The writer of Hebrews now speaks words of encouragement to all of those Hebrew converts to Christ who were formidable, fearless, and faithful under the trouble that came to them because of their 'faith in Jesus Christ' with these words, "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) (KJV). The writer (undoubtedly a Hebrew himself) includes himself in this stirring up of their faith unto the end. This verse too is one of the justifications used by many believers who again declare that Paul the Apostle must have been the writer of this letter or epistle to the Hebrews because of the many vile, vulger, and very violent physical attacks that he endured from his own Hebrew/Jewish people. Paul wrote to the Corithian Church a dissertation of the many acts of violence he endured simply for his 'faith in Jesus Christ' and within this lengthy discord of his sufferings he wrote these words, "Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one." (2 Corinthians 11:24) (KJV). The instrument used to render these '40 stripes save one' was called a 'cat of nine tails' which was a whip with 9 seperate leather straps that had metal pellets within the leather, metal hooks (like a fishing hook), and even broken glass pieces and nails all with the desire and design to rip open the flesh with every lash received. Many who received such punishment died from such an assault. This is just one example of what many of those early Hebrew believers endured for their 'faith in Jesus Christ' and this type of physical persecution is what the devil used hoping that he would get them all to renounce their 'faith in Jesus Christ' and go back to the rites, rituals, and rules of the old Mosaic system that the Blood of Jesus Christ had now destroyed and done away with. The devil is not nor has he ever been the one against or attacking religion because he knows that it is not religion or spirituality that saves the souls of men and women, that is, keeps them out of hell, but only 'faith in Jesus Christ' does.

Therefore, the devil persecutes true believers in Jesus Christ and not those who are merely religious or spiritual (for they still belong to him). So, when we see here the writer of Hebrews declare these words in Hebrews 10:39, "But we are not', he means that we are not merely religious people or spiritual people, for we have encountered the One True God/Living God our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ and in so doing we cannot nor could not draw back from Him. The English phrase 'of them who draw back' is translated by the Greek word hupostolē (used this one time only in  the New Testament) meaning shrinkage (timidity), that is, (by implication) apostasy (The state of having rejected your affiliation, religious beliefs, or principles (often in favor of opposing beliefs or causes) renunciation: - to draw back or defection. The English word 'perdition' is translated by the Greek word apōleia meaning ruin, destruction, or loss (physical, spiritual or eternal): damnation. In other words, just as the Apostle Peter declared when many early disciples drew back or walked away from the Lord Jesus when His teaching became very hard, as it is written, "Many of Jesus' disciples heard Him and said, 'This is too hard for anyone to understand.' Jesus knew that His disciples were grumbling. So He asked, 'Does this bother you? What if you should see the Son of Man go up to heaven where He came from? The Spirit is the One who gives life! Human strength can do nothing. The words that I have spoken to you are from that life-giving Spirit. But some of you refuse to have faith in Me.' Jesus said this, because from the beginning He knew who would have faith in Him. He also knew which one would betray Him. Then Jesus said, 'You cannot come to Me, unless the Father makes you want to come. That is why I have told these things to all of you.' Because of what Jesus said, many of His disciples turned their backs on Him and stopped following Him. Jesus then asked His twelve disciples if they were going to leave Him. Simon Peter answered, 'Lord, there is no one else that we can go to! Your words give eternal life. We have faith in You, and we are sure that You are God's Holy One.'" (John 6:60-69) (CEV). However, it is those of us who are faithful believers till the end of our earthly lives who receive the 'crown of life', as it is written, "And unto the angel of the Church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death." (Revelation 2:8-11) (KJV).

Here is what Dr. John Gill had to say of Hebrews 10:39, lives, walks, and stands; and with this is connected the salvation of the "There is a drawing back which is not unto perdition; persons may be attended with much unbelief, may be very cold and indifferent to Gospel ordinances, may fall into great sins, and may greatly backslide, and yet be recovered, as David, Peter, and others: and there is a drawing back to perdition; when Christ is rejected as the alone Saviour; when He is not held to as the head; when false doctrines and damnable heresies are given into; and when men draw back, and never return, nor are they, nor can they be returned, and their apostasy is total, and final: but true believers do not, and cannot draw back in this sense; because they are held fast in the arms, and with the cords of everlasting love, are chosen of God unto salvation, are given unto Christ, and secured in Him; they are redeemed and purchased by Him; they are united to Him, and built upon Him; they are interested in His prayers and preparations, and are His jewels, and His portion; they are regenerated, sanctified, inhabited, and sealed by the Spirit of God, and have the promises and power of God, on their side. But of them that believe to the saving of the soul; or 'of faith, to the salvation of the soul'; not of faith of miracles, nor of an historical faith; but of that faith, which is the faith of God's elect, is the gift of God, and the operation of His Spirit; by which a soul sees Christ, goes to Him, lays holds on Him, commits all to Him, and expects all from Him: this stands opposed to drawing back; for by faith a man soul, as opposed to perdition; not as though it is a cause of salvation, but as a means of God's appointing to receive the blessings of salvation, and which is entirely consistent with the grace of God; and since salvation and faith are inseparably connected together, so that he that has the one shall have the other, it follows, that true believers can never perish."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.


Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…