Hebrews 10:38
Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
Study Note
Study Note
The citation of Habakkuk 2:4 — 'the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him' — is the third major NT use of this pivotal text (Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11), here deployed as an exhortation to persevering faith under persecution. Habakkuk's original context was the Babylonian crisis: the prophet urged Judah to trust God's word rather than the evidence of Babylonian power. Hebrews intensifies the urgency by adding the warning about drawing back, which verse 39 immediately counters: 'But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.' The chapter's transition from the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice (verses 1-18) to the exhortation to enduring faith (verses 19-39) makes faith the appropriate response to the completed atonement.
Other Translations
But my righteous one shall live by faith: And if he shrink back, my soul hath no pleasure in him.
and `the righteous by faith shall live,' and `if he may draw back, My soul hath no pleasure in him,'
But the upright man will be living by his faith; and if he goes back, my soul will have no pleasure in him.
Cross References
Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: …
But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that …
Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, …
Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.
Who is there even among you that would shut the doors for nought? neither do ye kindle fire on mine …
But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just …
But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; …
While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of …
For the Lord taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.
The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.