[Greek] ὑποστέλλω (hypostellō), [Latin] subtrahere, [Latin] subterfugere, [German] heimlich, [French] secretement, [French] enlever: to withdraw, to draw back, to hesistate, to avoid; Acts 20:20,27, Gal.2:12, Heb.10:38
Background information:
Greek Hellenism: The term means to draw away, to retreat, to hold back, to avoid, to refrain, to shrink from, to hide, and to reduce.
Polybius’ Histories 11.21.2: “Many of the enemy’s horsemen at once took to flight at the startling appearance, and began to make off.”
Euripides’ Orestis 607: “Since you are so bold and suppress nothing nothing.”
Plutarch’s Aratus 47: “The Aetolians had taken shelter behind the Macedonian arms.”
Demosthenes’ Olynthiac 1.16: “I shall not consult my own safety by keeping back what I believe to be for your true interests.”
Plato’s Apology 24a: “There you have the truth, men of Athens, I speak without hiding anything from you.”
Polybius’ Histories 10.32.3: “They rose from their place of concealment.”
Old Testament: This term means to hide, to shrink from, to hold back to subject, to restrict, to prohibit, and to forbid. This term is applicable to the fearful sojourner (guest) in a foreign place. The same law shall apply to the native as to the stranger who resides among you (Exo.12:49). So Moab was in great fear because of the people (Num.22:3). I have restrained by feet from every evil way (Psa.119:101). I am shut up and cannot go out (Psa.88:8).
New Testament: This term means to shrink from, to avoid, to draw back, and to hesitate. Paul does not hold back in talking about the gospel (and plan of God) to the Ephesians. In Antioch Cephas (Peter) drew back from eating with the Gentiles and later sat with the Jewish Christians. Paul rebuked Cephas for failing to set an example (as a Jew) for the Gentiles. The believer who draws away from faithfulness will receive no pleasure from God.
Scripture:
“For I did not shrink from proclaiming to you the entire plan of God.” Acts 20:27
Paul does not hold anything back in presenting the gospel to the Ephesians. He reminds them of his dedication for Christ.
“For, until some people came from James [Jewish Christians], Peter used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they [Jewish Christians] came, Peter began to draw back and separated himself, because he was afraid of the circumcised.” Gal.2:12
Paul rebukes Peter for failing in table fellowship as a disciple. It was important that Paul chastise in a public way. Peter was failing in setting himself as a good example of a Jewish Christian for the Gentiles.
“But my just one shall live by faith, and if he draws back I take no pleasure in him.” Heb.10:38
Drawing back causes one to disbelieve, to lose faith, and to lose communion with God. God has no pleasure in this.
Etymology: The Latin verb subtrahere means to take away or to draw back. The Latin subtractus is the past participle of this verb. The Latin verb subterfugere means to evade, to escape, and flee by stealth. The German adjective heimlich means home, private or secret-like (heim-lich). By 1741 secreting involved placing someone (or something) in concealment. A secretary is one who has been entrusted with secrets and confidential matters. The French verb enlever mean to remove or leave out.
Conclusion:
Subtract, leave, subterfuge, secret, secrete, secretary
In Greek Hellenism, I was somewhat taken back – [sorry, couldn’t help myself] — by the more nuanced examples of this term: suppressing nothing and keeping (holding) back what one thinks or says.
In the Old Testament, I was also surprised by how this term succinctly conveys the notion of a fearful traveler (sojourner) who hides in fear in a foreign land.
It is important to note that this Greek verb hypostello (to draw back) is the opposite of the Greek verb apostello (to send away).
Paul provides with an exemplary example of an apostle and disciple who does not shrink from his responsibilities. On the other hand, Peter is more flawed, often needing correction and instruction.
It is also important to note that one needs endurance to do the will of God (Heb.10:36). Circumstances sometimes may keep us back or force us to hesitate. But we can always draw back to Heb.10:38 for inspiration and strength.
Update: The Russian govt. (and military forces) are at times having to back away from the strong Ukraine resistance.
President Zelensky has not been holding back with his pleas for help in their struggles against Russia.
We all have been in situations about whether or not to hide or keep anything back. Even sometimes we speak our mind.
It is no secret –[again sorry, couldn’t help myself]–that the Heimlich maneuver has nothing to do with this term. It just happens to be that this choking prevention method was developed by Dr. Henry Jay Heimlich. (I hope you are not choked up about this. Sorry for this lame maneuver) ☺
In all our efforts to find, seek, know, and forget, there is no hiding and secreting the fact that we at times must face certain hard realities and situations. Yet sometimes we ignore the elephant (or laptop) in the room, the smoking gun or avoid the writing on the wall.
Next post: ignoring what’s in front of you