Quick Definition
a shrinking, drawing back
Strong's Definition
shrinkage (timidity), i.e. (by implication) apostasy
Derivation: from G5288 (ὑποστέλλω);
KJV Usage: draw back
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
ὑποστολή, ὑποστολῆς, ἡ (ὑποστέλλω, which see), properly, a withdrawing (Vulg.subtractio) (in a good sense, Plutarch, anim. an corp. aff. sint pej. § 3 under the end); the timidity of one stealthily retreating: οὐκ ἐσμεν ὑποστολῆς (see εἰμί IV. 1 g.), we have no part in shrinking back etc., we are free from the cowardice of etc. (R. V. we are not of them that shrink back etc.), Heb_10:39 (λάθρᾳ τά πολλά καί μεθ' ὑποστολῆς ἐκακουργησεν, Josephus, b. j. 2, 14, 2; ὑποστολην ποιοῦνται, Antiquities 16, 4, 3).
Mounce Concise Greek Dictionary
ὑποστολή hypostolē 1x
a shrinking back, Heb_10:39
Abbott-Smith Greek Lexicon
*† ὑπο -στολή , -ῆς , ἡ
( <ὑποστέλλω ),
1. a letting down, lowering ( Plut .).
2. a shrinking back (Hesych.): οὐκ ἐσμὲν ὑποστολῆς (on the gen ., v. Bl., § 35, 2), Heb_10:39 .†
Moulton & Milligan — Vocabulary of the Greek NT
ὑποστολή [page 660]
ὑποστολή is found in the NT only in Heb_10:39 , where it derives the meaning drawing back from the preceding ὑποστείληται . In Jos. Antt. XVI. 112 ( = iv. 3) δι᾽ ἃς οὐδεμίαν ὑποστολὴν ποιοῦνται κακοηθείας , Whiston renders as makes them leave no sort of mischief untried.
Liddell-Scott — Intermediate Greek Lexicon
ὑποστολή ὑποστολή, ἡ, "a shrinking back, evasion", NTest.
STEPBible — Tyndale Abridged Greek Lexicon
ὑπο-στολή, -ῆς, ἡ
(ὑποστέλλω),
__1. a letting down, lowering (Plut.).
__2. a shrinking back (Hesych.): οὐκ ἐσμὲν ὑποστολῆς (on the genitive, see Bl., § 35, 2), Heb.10:39.†
(AS)
📖 In-Depth Word Study
Shrink back (5289) hupostole
Shrink back (5289) (hupostole from hupostello = to draw aside or back, to withdraw, to retreat, to hold back) strictly speaking referred to "lowering of sails, hence lack of steadfastness, shrinking back, giving up." (Friberg) Hupostole figuratively describes a withdrawing or turning back, a timidity, a ceasing to do something, in some instances (as in the present passage), because of adverse circumstances and/or fear of reprisal. The idea is a drawing back, an evasion, an apostasy. Hupostole was used by the Greek writer Plutarch in a good sense to describe a stealthy retreat. Josephus uses it to describe a dissimulation (hiding under a false appearance). Secular writings also use hupostole to describe "holding a body of troops in reserve position." (BDAG) See modern day example of those who do not shrink back (click here). Rengstorf adds that "The only NT instance is in Heb.10:39 (cf. Heb 10:37-note), where, in tension with pistis (faith), it denotes “lack of steadfastness” of “unreliability” (cf. Heb 2:1-note). (TDNT)
PERFECTION
OR
PERDITION!
Warren Wiersbe...
The believer who lives by faith will “go on to perfection” (Heb 6:1-note). But the believer who lives by sight will “draw back unto perdition” (Heb 10:39-note).
Vincent...
Drawing back makes for and terminates in (eis) destruction.
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