This verse applies verse 38 to the readers’ situation. Good News Translation omits “But” (see Revised Standard Version) to avoid repetition of the but in verse 38.

There is an alternation of positive and negative statements. Verse 38, line 1 (in Good News Translation and Revised Standard Version) is positive, and lines 2-3 of that verse are negative. Verse 39 includes a negative statement, but is generally positive and brings this part of the letter to a strong conclusion.

We are not people who turn back…: We is emphatic; Bible de Jérusalem and other French translations have “as for us….” Biblia Dios Habla Hoy says “we are not among those who turn back….” The Greek is literally “we are not of falling back…, but of faith.” This means “we do not belong to the group (or, kind) of people who fall back…, but to the group (or, kind) of people who go on believing….” More concisely, one might translate “We are not the kind of people….”

The rendering of who turn back in verse 39 will depend upon how the similar expression is translated in verse 38.

And are lost is the result of turn back. Accordingly, one may translate and are lost as “and so are lost.” In some languages, however, the expression “to be lost” has nothing to do with a person’s spiritual state, and therefore it may be better to translate and are lost as “and so perish” or “and so suffer destruction.”

The second half of the verse, from Instead, is similar to the first in form, though opposite in meaning. “But” (see Revised Standard Version) is emphasized in the Greek; it may be rendered “on the contrary.” Good News Translation omits “souls” (Revised Standard Version) for two reasons: first, because the English word is not much used outside church circles; and secondly, because it could be misunderstood as a distinct part of the personality. Saved does not translate the Greek word most commonly used; it means rather “keep,” implying “keep safe from attack.” Neither Good News Bible nor Revised Standard Version makes any explicit connection between turn back and are lost, and between have faith and are saved. “As a result” is implied in both parts of the verse.

In order to show the proper relation between we have faith and are saved, it is possible to translate “we trust God and so are saved,” “… and so he saves us,” or “… and so he rescues us.”

Quoted with permission from Ellingworth, Paul and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on The Letter of the Hebrews. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1983. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .