but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse emphasizes that the righteous person lives by a continuous, active faith, not a static belief. If this faithful person "draws back," God's pleasure is lost, highlighting that enduring faith, not just initial belief, is what sustains this relationship.
but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse is the climax of a strong argument where the author contrasts the old covenant with the new, emphasizing Christ's perfect sacrifice. Having just declared that Christ's work is finished and believers are perfected, the author draws from the prophet Habakkuk to underscore the vital importance of persevering faith. He contrasts those who live by unwavering trust in God with those who shrink back, warning of divine displeasure.
The verse starts with a powerful affirmation: 'my righteous one shall live by faith.' But what does it truly mean to live this way, and who is this 'righteous one'?
This phrase, rooted in Habakkuk 2:4, emphasizes a life characterized by active trust and reliance on God. It's not passive belief, but a continuous, confident dependence that sustains the believer.
A Life of Active Trust
The original context highlights that this isn't just about the beginning of faith, but its continuation. Even when facing trials or confusion, the righteous person, empowered by God's faithfulness, will persevere. This life is lived 'by faith,' meaning their actions and endurance stem from their trust in God's promises and presence.
God's Ownership and Pleasure
The addition of 'my' before 'righteous one' is significant. It points to God's personal claim and affection for those who live by faith. This isn't a generic statement; it's God speaking about His own, His chosen ones, whom He upholds. Their faithful walk brings Him pleasure.
The verse pivots sharply, warning about a different path: shrinking back. What does this mean, and why does it incur God's displeasure?
The phrase 'if he shrinks back' (or 'draws back') refers to a withdrawal from commitment, a reluctance to continue in faith and obedience, especially under pressure. It's the opposite of persevering trust.
What is 'Shrinking Back'?
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This isn't about occasional doubts or stumbles, but a more fundamental turning away from what one knows to be true. It can manifest as fear, unbelief, or a refusal to endure hardship for the sake of faith. The original word suggests pulling back, like shortening sail in a storm, rather than facing it.
God's Displeasure
When the righteous one shrinks back, God declares, 'my soul has no pleasure in him.' This is a solemn statement of divine disapproval. It signifies a loss of favor and a broken relationship. It highlights that while God claims the faithful, He withdraws His pleasure from those who abandon their commitment.
Understand the original words
dikaios · Greek Adjective
The state of being justified, righteous, or acquitted before God; one who has been made right with God through faith.
pistis · Greek Noun
Trust, reliance, or confident commitment to God and His promises; the primary means by which believers are justified and live their daily lives.
hypostellō · Greek Verb
To draw back, recoil, or withdraw in cowardice or fear, particularly from a commitment to Christ; apostasy.
This verse echoes Habakkuk's prophecy, written during the existential crisis of the Babylonian exile, a time when many questioned God's faithfulness. The author of Hebrews applies it to Jewish Christians facing intense pressure, reminding them that true righteousness isn't about outward observance, but about a living, trusting faith that endures, even when tested.
c. 605 BC
Babylonian Exile Begins
Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, begins his campaigns against Jerusalem, leading to the first deportation of Jewish exiles, including Daniel.
c. 597 BC
Second Deportation to Babylon
More Judeans, including King Jehoiachin and the prophet Ezekiel, are exiled to Babylon, intensifying the crisis of faith and national identity.
586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple
Nebuchadnezzar destroys Jerusalem and its Temple, the center of Israel's worship and national life, leading to a profound sense of loss and divine abandonment.
c. 540 BC
Habakkuk's Prophecy
The prophet Habakkuk writes his oracle, grappling with God's justice and the seeming inaction in the face of evil, posing the question, 'How long, O Lord, shall I cry for help, and you will not listen?'
c. 539 BC
Fall of Babylon
Cyrus the Great of Persia conquers Babylon, marking a shift in geopolitical power and eventually leading to the return of Jewish exiles.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus' Crucifixion and Resurrection
Jesus Christ is crucified and rises from the dead, inaugurating the new covenant and the age of faith in Him.
c. AD 60-64— this verse
Writing of the Book of Hebrews
The author of Hebrews writes to a community of Jewish Christians facing persecution and temptation to revert to Judaism, urging them to persevere in their faith in Christ.
This is the original Old Testament passage from which Hebrews 10:38 is quoted, showing the foundational prophetic word behind the author's argument.
Romans 1:17Paul directly quotes this same line from Habakkuk, highlighting the central theme of living by faith as a core tenet of the Christian life and theological concept.
Galatians 3:11This passage again uses the 'the righteous shall live by faith' phrase, emphasizing that justification and life come through faith, not adherence to the law.
Ezekiel 18:24This verse presents a strong parallel by contrasting a righteous person who turns away from righteousness with one who perseveres, mirroring the Hebrews writer's concern about 'drawing back'.
Hebrews 6:4-6This passage discusses the impossibility of restoring to repentance those who fall away after experiencing God's goodness, echoing the gravity of the warning in Hebrews 10:38.
ellicottHebrews 10:38: "Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him."
(38) Now the just shall live by faith. —The Greek text of this clause is not perfectly certain, but it is probable that the word “my” should be added, so that the translation of the verse will be as follows, But my righteous one shall live by faith. In the Hebrew the first part of the verse is altogether different: “Behold his soul is lifted up, it is not upright in him; but the r…
vincentHebrews 10:38: "Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him."
Now the just shall live by faith (ὁ δὲ δίκαιός (μου) ἐκ πίστεως ζήσεται)Cited by Paul, Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11. In the original prophecy the just man is contrasted with the haughty Chaldaean invaders, who are puffed up and not upright. Through his steadfast obedience to God he shall be kept alive in the time of confusion and destruction.But if any man draw back (καὶ ἐ…
The verse emphasizes that the righteous person lives by a continuous, active faith, not a static belief. If this faithful person "draws back," God's pleasure is lost, highlighting that enduring faith, not just initial belief, is what sustains this relationship.
This verse is the climax of a strong argument where the author contrasts the old covenant with the new, emphasizing Christ's perfect sacrifice. Having just declared that Christ's work is finished and believers are perfected, the author draws from the prophet Habakkuk to underscore the vital importance of persevering faith. He contrasts those who live by unwavering trust in God with those who shrink back, warning of divine displeasure.
This verse is the climax of a strong argument where the author contrasts the old covenant with the new, emphasizing Christ's perfect sacrifice. Having just declared that Christ's work is finished and believers are perfected, the author draws from the prophet Habakkuk to underscore the vital importance of persevering faith. He contrasts those who live by unwavering trust in God with those who shrink back, warning of divine displeasure.
"but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.”" — The verse emphasizes that the righteous person lives by a continuous, active faith, not a static belief. If this faithful person "draws back," God's pleasure is lost, highlighting that enduring faith…
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Last reviewed October 2026