Backslide in the Bible: Meaning & Definition

(in Pro 14:14, סוּג, sug, to go back; in Hos 4:16, סָרִר, salar’ to be refractory; elsewhere in the O.T. שׁוּב, shub, to return; in Heb 10:39, ὑποστέλλω, to “draw back”). SEE APOSTASY.

1. This term popularly denotes a falling off or defection in matters of religion; an apostasy, Act 21:21; 2Th 2:3; 1Ti 4:1. This may be either partial or complete; partial, when it is in the heart, as Pro 14:14; complete, as that described in Heb 6:4, etc.; 10:6, etc. On the latter passage Chrysostom observes: “When a house has a strong foundation, suppose an arch fall, some of the beams break, or a wall decline, while the foundation is good, these breaches may be repaired; so in religion, while a person maintains the true doctrines, and remains on the firm rock, though he fall, true repentance may restore him to the favor and image of God: but as in a house, when the foundation is bad, nothing can save the building from ruin; so, when heretical doctrines are admitted for a foundation, nothing can save the professor from destruction.” It is important, in interpreting these passages, to keep it steadfastly in mind that the apostasy they speak of is not only moral, but doctrinal. SEE FALLING AWAY.

2. It is also used less accurately of a loss of fervor in religious feeling and of zeal in religious duty. In this sense it should be called partial backsliding, which must be distinguished from hypocrisy, as the former may exist where there are good intentions on the whole; but the latter is a studied profession of appearing to be what we are not. The causes of backsliding are — the cares of the world; improper connections; inattention to secret or closet duties; self-conceit and dependence; indulgence; listening to and parleying with temptations. A backslidden state is manifested by indifference to prayer and self-examination; trifling or unprofitable conversation; neglect of public ordinances; shunning the people of God; associating with the world; thinking lightly of sin; neglect of the Bible; and often by gross immorality. The consequences of this awful state are — loss of character; loss of comfort; loss of usefulness; and loss of a well-grounded hope of future happiness. To avoid this state, or recover from it, we should beware of the first appearance of sin; be much in prayer; attend the ordinances; and unite with the people of God. We should consider the awful instances of apostasy, as Saul, Judas, Demas, etc.; the many warnings we have of it, Mat 24:13; Heb 10:38; Luk 9:62; how it grieves the Holy Spirit; and how wretched it makes us; above all things, our dependence should be on God, that we may always be directed by his Spirit, and kept by his power. — Watson, Theol. Dictionary, s.v.; Buck, Theol. Dictionary, s.v.; Clarke, Theology (by Dunn), p. 360. On the possibility of “falling from grace,” SEE PERSEVERANCE.

bak´slı̄d´ משׁוּבה, m^eshūbhāh; Hos 11:7; Hos 14:4 and often in Hos and Jer, שׁובב, shōbhābh; שׁובב, shōbhēbh, in Jer, 4 times: all meaning “turning back or away,” “apostate,” “rebellious.” סרר, ṣārar, in Hos 4:16 = “stubborn,” “rebellious”; the Revised Version (British and American) “stubborn”): In all places the word is used of Israel forsaking Yahweh, and with a reference to the covenant relation between Yahweh and the nation, conceived as a marriage tie which Israel had violated. Yahweh was Israel’s husband, and by her idolatries with other gods she had proved unfaithful (Jer 3:8, Jer 3:14; Jer 14:7; Hos 14:4). It may be questioned whether Israel was guilty so much of apostasy and defection, as of failure to grow with the growing revelation of God. The prophets saw that their contemporaries fell far short of their own ideal, but they did not realize how far their predecessors also had fallen short of the rising prophetic standard in ideal and action. See APOSTASY.

Backslider bak´slı̄d-ẽr סוּג לב, ṣūgh lēbȟ: “The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways” (Pro 14:14). But the Revised Version (British and American) “backslider” conveys the wrong impression of an apostate. The Hebrew expression here implies simply non-adherence to the right, “The bad man reaps the fruits of his act” (Toy, Prov, in loc.).

To stop moving forward in the Christian walk; to spiritually regress. (For further study, turn to "What Is Backsliding?")

—New Believer’s Bible Glossary