ὑποστέλλω (hupostellō)
hupostellō
to withdraw
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb hupostellō describes the physical act of drawing something back or letting it down, such as lowering a sail or retracting one’s body. In biblical usage, it captures the motion of withdrawing oneself, often in response to fear or social pressure. This meaning appears when Paul notes that he did not shrink from declaring the gospel (Acts 20:20), contrasting his boldness with those who might conceal their faith.
The word carries a nuance of timidity or hesitation, suggesting a retreat from full commitment. In Galatians 2:12, it describes how certain men withdrew from eating with Gentile believers because they feared the circumcision group. Similarly, Hebrews 10:38 uses it to warn against shrinking back in fear, linking this withdrawal to a loss of faith. The term implies a conscious pulling away, whether physically or spiritually, driven by anxiety rather than conviction.
Its root combines hupo ("under") and stellō ("to arrange" or "prepare"), literally meaning to draw under or retract. This etymology highlights the idea of pulling back into safety or concealment. Translators often render it as "withdraw," "shrink back," or "conceal," depending on context. The word underscores the tension between bold witness and fearful retreat, a theme central to the New Testament’s call for courage in faith.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word hupostellō paints a vivid picture of pulling back, like drawing in a sail or stepping away from a crowd. It describes the instinctive reaction to fear or social pressure, where we choose safety over witness. In Acts, Paul contrasts this shrinking back with his own boldness, showing that faithful teaching requires refusing to hide the truth about God.
We see the cost of this withdrawal in Galatians, where Peter’s hesitation damaged the unity of the church. Yet Hebrews offers a gentle warning: God takes no pleasure in those who retreat from their faith. This word invites us to examine our own moments of silence. It reminds us that courage is not the absence of fear, but the decision to stay present and speak truth even when it feels risky.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- he was drawing back1×
- he shall shrink back,1×
- I shrunk back1×
- I did shrink back1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ὑπεστειλάμην2×
- ὑπέστελλεν1×
- ὑποστείληται,1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 20:27
for I didn’t shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.
Paul uses this term to define his ministry as refusing to hide any part of God's message, establishing boldness as the standard for apostolic witness.
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Galatians 2:12
For before some people came from James, he ate with the Gentiles. But when they came, he drew back and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision.
Peter’s act of drawing back reveals how fear of human opinion can undermine the gospel truth of unity between Jewish and Gentile believers.
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Hebrews 10:38
But the righteous one will live by faith. If he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.”
The author warns that shrinking back in fear is incompatible with faith, showing that spiritual stability requires standing firm rather than retreating.