Bible Strands
Hebrews 10:38
But My righteous one will live by faith; and if he shrinks back, I will take no pleasure in him.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — God speaks, quoted by the author of Hebrews, to Jewish believers under pressure to abandon their faith. The immediate context (10:37–39) frames a coming judgment and a choice between shrinking back and holding fast.
The words — δικαίος (dikaios, "righteous") is modified by the possessive μου ("Mine"), making it a relational designation rather than a moral category. The future ζήσεται (zēsetai, "will live") marks this as eschatological, not merely present-tense existence.
The thread — The phrase "the righteous will live by faith" is drawn from Habakkuk 2:4 and echoed in Galatians 3:11 and Romans 1:17, where it anchors the argument that faith, not law-works, is the means of standing before God.
Why it lands — The verse forces a binary: trust and live, or shrink back and be rejected. It asks the reader to name which side they are on, with no middle ground offered.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
Cross-references
- Galatians 3:11 Now it is clear that no one is justified before God by the law, because, “The righteous will live by faith.”
- Habakkuk 2:4 Look at the proud one; his soul is not upright—but the righteous will live by faith—
- Romans 1:17 For the gospel reveals the righteousness of God that comes by faith from start to finish, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”
- Psalms 85:8 I will listen to what God the LORD will say; for He will surely speak peace to His people and His saints; He will not let them return to folly.
- Hebrews 6:4 It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit,
- Ezekiel 3:20 Now if a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and I put a stumbling block before him, he will die. If you did not warn him, he will die in his sin, and the righteous acts he did will not be remembered. And I will hold you responsible for his blood.
- Psalms 147:11 The LORD is pleased with those who fear Him, who hope in His loving devotion.
- Isaiah 42:1 “Here is My Servant, whom I uphold, My Chosen One, in whom My soul delights. I will put My Spirit on Him, and He will bring justice to the nations.
- Matthew 13:21 But since he has no root, he remains for only a season. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away.
- Zephaniah 1:6 and those who turn back from following the LORD, neither seeking the LORD nor inquiring of Him.”