Lexical Summary hupostelló: To draw back, to withdraw, to shrink from declaring. Original Word: ὑποστέλλω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance draw back, shun, withdraw. From hupo and stello; to withhold under (out of sight), i.e. (reflexively) to cower or shrink, (figuratively) to conceal (reserve) -- draw (keep) back, shun, withdraw. see GREEK hupo see GREEK stello HELPS Word-studies 5288 hypostéllō (from 5259 /hypó, "under" and 4724 /stéllō, "draw in") – properly, draw under, pulling back to retreat (go backwards); withdraw (shrink from); shun; "back off," especially due to compromise. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom hupo and stelló Definition to draw in, let down, draw back NASB Translation shrink (2), shrinks back (1), withdraw (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 5288: ὑποστέλλωὑποστέλλω: imperfect ὑπεστελλον; 1 aorist middle ὑπεστειλάμην; 1. Active, to draw down, let down, lower: ἱστίον, Pindar Isthm. 2, 59; to withdraw (draw back): ἐμαυτόν, of a timid person, Galatians 2:12 ((cf. Lightfoot at the passage); often so in Polybius). 2. Middle, to withdraw oneself, i. e. to be timid, to cower, shrink: of those who from timidity hesitate to avow what they believe, Hebrews 10:38 (from Habakkuk 2:4 (cf. Winers Grammar, 523 (487))); to be unwilling to utter from fear, to shrink from declaring, to conceal, dissemble: followed by τοῦ with the infinitive (Winers Grammar, 325 (305); Buttmann, 270 (232)), Acts 20:27; οὐδέν, ibid. 20 (often so in Demosthenes; cf. Reiske, Index graecit. Demosthenes, p. 774f; Josephus, Vita §54; b. j. 1, 20, 1). Strong’s 5288 portrays a deliberate retreat in attitude or behavior. Whether used positively (avoiding compromise) or negatively (evading duty), its contexts disclose a tension between courageous fidelity and self-preserving withdrawal. Scriptural Distribution • Acts 20:20, 27 – Paul testifies, “I did not shrink from declaring…,” twice stressing his refusal to dilute the gospel message in Ephesus. Historical Background First-century believers faced synagogue expulsion, imperial suspicion, and intra-church controversy. The verb describes responses to those pressures. Paul, having endured riots and imprisonment, stakes his integrity on fearless proclamation (Acts 20). Conversely, Peter’s lapse in Antioch reveals how even apostles could momentarily recoil for fear of reputational loss (Galatians 2). The Hebrews audience, likely sensing intensifying persecution just prior to the Jewish revolt, is exhorted not to follow that same path of retreat. Theological Themes 1. Integrity Of Witness – The word underscores the difference between trimming truth to gain safety and entrusting oneself to God regardless of cost (Acts 20). Ministry Significance • Preaching: Elders are charged to emulate Paul’s transparency, delivering the “whole will of God” rather than only palatable portions. Old Testament Connection Hebrews 10:38 quotes Habakkuk 2:4, where the prophet contrasts the proud who rely on their own stratagems with the righteous who “live by faith.” The Septuagint verb for “draw back” accentuates covenant faith as continuing trust, not a one-time profession. Spiritual Lessons 1. Fear Of Man Versus Fear Of God – Social intimidation can silence truth; reverence for God liberates the tongue. Contemporary Application Modern cultural pressures mirror those of the apostolic age—academic marginalization, legislative constraints, or digital backlash. The passages urge Christians to maintain public fidelity: confess Christ, uphold biblical ethics, extend table fellowship across cultural lines, and endure misunderstanding without compromise. See Also Matthew 10:32-33; Romans 1:16; 2 Timothy 1:8; Revelation 2:13 Englishman's Concordance Acts 20:20 V-AIM-1SGRK: ὡς οὐδὲν ὑπεστειλάμην τῶν συμφερόντων NAS: how I did not shrink from declaring KJV: [And] how I kept back nothing INT: how nothing I kept back of what is profitable Acts 20:27 V-AIM-1S Galatians 2:12 V-IIA-3S Hebrews 10:38 V-ASM-3S Strong's Greek 5288 |
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