Bible Strands
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.”
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul addresses the Roman church at the hinge between the gospel's power (v.16) and the revelation of God's wrath (v.18). It is the thesis statement for the entire letter.
The words — ἐκ πίστεως (ek pisteōs) is a single prepositional phrase meaning "from faith"; the BSB's "by faith from start to finish" is an interpretive expansion not present in the Greek. The verb ἀποκαλύπτεται (apokaluptetai), "is revealed," is the same word used in v.18 for the wrath being revealed.
The thread — The Habakkuk 2:4 citation is reused in Galatians 3:11 and Hebrews 10:38, each time to set faith against works or self-sufficiency.
Why it lands — The reader's right standing before God is sourced in faith, not in moral achievement. It removes the ground for self-justification before the wrath of v.18 even arrives.
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
For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
Cross-references
- Habakkuk 2:4 Look at the proud one; his soul is not upright—but the righteous will live by faith—
- Galatians 3:11 Now it is clear that no one is justified before God by the law, because, “The righteous will live by faith.”
- Hebrews 10:38 But My righteous one will live by faith; and if he shrinks back, I will take no pleasure in him.”
- Philippians 3:9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God on the basis of faith.
- Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God. For anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.
- Romans 9:30 What then will we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith;
- Romans 3:21 But now, apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been revealed, as attested by the Law and the Prophets.
- Romans 3:3 What if some did not have faith? Will their lack of faith nullify God’s faithfulness?
- John 3:36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life. Whoever rejects the Son will not see life. Instead, the wrath of God remains on him.”