ὑποστέλλω

From the study of Acts 20:20

Range of meaning

Active: to draw something back or down. It was used of lowering or shortening a ship's sail, and of holding something back. Middle (as here): to draw oneself back, shrink from, keep quiet about something out of caution or fear, hide or play down the truth.

Against the English

'Shrink back' (BSB, WEB, ESV-type) captures the fearful withdrawal. 'Kept back' (KJV, YLT) captures the withholding of content. The Greek holds both: a speaker who, fearing the reaction, quietly leaves things out.

Used elsewhere in the period

Greek orators used the phrase 'holding nothing back' as a badge of frank, fearless speech. Demosthenes (First Philippic 4.51) says he has spoken freely, 'holding nothing back' (οὐδὲν ὑποστειλάμενος). In the NT the same verb describes Peter 'drawing back' from Gentile tables out of fear (Gal 2:12), and in Hebrews 10:38–39, those who 'shrink back' in contrast to those who keep faith. In Acts 20:27 Paul repeats it: 'I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.'

From the study of Acts 20:27

Range of meaning

The basic sense is to draw something down or in. It was used for lowering or taking in sails, and for drawing something back under cover. In the middle voice, as here, it means 'to draw oneself back': to shrink back, hold back, avoid, or keep quiet about something, usually out of fear, caution or wanting to please. BDAG gives 'draw back, shrink from, avoid' and 'keep silent about.'

Against the English

'Shrink back' (BSB, ESV, WEB) keeps the hint of fear. 'Shunned' (KJV) means avoided but loses the image of pulling back. 'Keep back' (YLT) shows best the idea of withholding part of the message. 'Hesitated' (NIV) is weaker. Paul is not denying that he paused. He is denying that he ever left anything out.

Used elsewhere in the period

The word was standard in Greek speeches about frank speaking. Demosthenes closes his First Philippic (4.51) saying he has never spoken to please his hearers, only what he believed would benefit them, and that he has now spoken frankly, 'holding nothing back' (ouden hyposteilamenos). This is very close to Paul's wording in vv. 20 and 27, including the stress on what is 'profitable.' In the NT: Galatians 2:12, where Peter 'drew back' from eating with Gentiles out of fear; Hebrews 10:38–39, quoting Habakkuk 2:4 in the Greek Old Testament, 'if he shrinks back… we are not of those who shrink back.'

From the study of Galatians 2:12

Range of meaning

'To draw back, withdraw.' Also 'to shrink from, hold back' (often with fear or caution), and 'to keep back or conceal'. It is used of lowering or furling sails and of troops pulling back into a sheltered position.

Against the English

KJV/WEB 'withdrew' and 'drew back' are fine, but they render a single past action. The Greek imperfect suggests a gradual retreat ('began to draw back', 'was drawing back', as BSB and YLT have it). Lightfoot thought the word might picture a cautious military pullback.

Used elsewhere in the period

In the Greek Old Testament, Hab 2:4 has 'if he shrinks back (hyposteilētai), my soul has no pleasure in him', quoted in Heb 10:38. Deut 1:17 tells judges they must not 'shrink before the face of a man'. In Acts 20:20, 27 Paul says he 'did not shrink from' declaring the whole message. Polybius and other Greek historians use it for holding back or withdrawing.