“Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.”
My Notes
What Does Hebrews 10:38 Mean?
The writer of Hebrews quotes Habakkuk 2:4 — the verse that launched the Reformation: the just shall live by faith. Three words (in the Greek) that define the entire Christian existence: faith is the operating system of the righteous.
"The just" — those declared righteous by God. Not the self-righteous. The justified. "Shall live" — the living is ongoing, daily, sustained. "By faith" — the mechanism is trust, not sight, not works, not feelings.
"But if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him" — the alternative to living by faith is drawing back. And the consequence is divine displeasure. The withdrawal from faith is not neutral. It forfeits God's pleasure.
The verse is quoted three times in the New Testament: Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11, and Hebrews 10:38. Each usage emphasizes a different word: Romans emphasizes the just, Galatians emphasizes faith, Hebrews emphasizes live. Together they cover the complete meaning: the justified live by faith.
Reflection Questions
- 1.Why is 'the just shall live by faith' the most quoted verse in the New Testament?
- 2.How does living by faith differ from starting by faith and shifting to works?
- 3.What does 'drawing back' look like — and why does it forfeit God's pleasure?
- 4.Where are you living by sight or self-reliance rather than by faith?
Devotional
The just shall live by faith. Five words that changed the world. Luther read them and the Reformation began. Paul quoted them and the gospel went to the nations. Habakkuk spoke them and a prophet's message outlived his century.
The just. Not the impressive. Not the morally superior. The justified — those declared righteous by God through faith. That is who lives by faith. Not the self-made. The God-declared.
Shall live. Present tense, ongoing. Not shall start by faith and then shift to works. Shall live — every day, every decision, every breath. Faith is not the starting point you graduate from. It is the air you breathe for the rest of your life.
By faith. Not by sight. Not by works. Not by feelings. Faith — trust in what God has said, reliance on who God is, confidence in what God has done. Faith is the operating system of the righteous life.
If any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. Drawing back is the opposite of living by faith. Withdrawing. Retreating. Stepping away from trust and back into self-reliance. God takes no pleasure in the retreat.
The just shall live by faith. The most quoted verse in the New Testament. The engine of every reformation. The foundation of every justified life. And the simplest instruction ever given: trust God. Every day. For everything. That is living.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
Now the just shall live by faith - This is a part of the quotation from Habakkuk Hab 2:3-4, which was probably commenced…
Now the just shall live by faith - Ὁ δε δικαιος εκ πιστεως ζησεται· But the just by faith, i.e. he who is justified by…
I. Here the apostle sets forth the dignities of the gospel state. It is fit that believers should know the honours and…
Now the just shall live by faith The true reading here (though not in the Hebrew) perhaps is, "But myrighteous one shall…
Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture