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. "Copy and paste the address below into your web browser in order to go to the original page which will allow you to access live links related to the material on this page - these links include Scriptures (which can be read in context), Scripture pop-ups on mouse over, and a variety of related resources such as Bible dictionary articles, commentaries, sermon notes and theological journal articles related to the topic under discussion." http://www.preceptaustin.org/hebrews_1038-39.htm#st