But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.
Ver. 39. Who draw back unto] Apostates have martial law, they run away but into hell's mouth. A worse condition they cannot likely choose onto themselves; for they are miserable by their own election, John 2:8, and are wholly destined to utter destruction. Transfugas arboribus suspendunt, saith Tacitus of the old Germans; they hang up run-a-ways. And transfugas, ubicunque inventi fuerint, quasi testes interficere licet, saith the civil law. Run-a-ways are to be received as enemies, and to be killed wherever they be found.
To the saving of the soul] Gr. εις πεοιποιησιν ψυχης, to the giving of the soul. A metaphor from merchants, who either get more or lose what they have; or else haply from gamesters, who keep a stake in store, however the world go with them.