Hebrews 10:38

Amplified Bible

BUT MY RIGHTEOUS ONE [the one justified by faith] SHALL LIVE BY FAITH [respecting man's relationship to God and trusting Him]; AND IF HE DRAWS BACK [shrinking in fear], MY SOUL HAS NO DELIGHT IN HIM.

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
But my righteous one will live by faith;and if he draws back,I have no pleasure in him.

King James Version (1611)
Now the iust shall liue by faith: but if any man drawe backe, my soule shall haue no pleasure in him.

King James Version
Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

English Standard Version
but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him."

New American Standard Bible
BUT MY RIGHTEOUS ONE WILL LIVE BY FAITH; AND IF HE SHRINKS BACK, MY SOUL HAS NO PLEASURE IN HIM.

New Century Version
Those who are right with me will live by faith. But if they turn back with fear, I will not be pleased with them." Habakkuk 2:3–4

New American Standard Bible (1995)
BUT MY RIGHTEOUS ONE SHALL LIVE BY FAITH; AND IF HE SHRINKS BACK, MY SOUL HAS NO PLEASURE IN HIM.

Legacy Standard Bible
But My righteous one shall live by faith,And if he shrinks back, My soul has no pleasure in him.

Berean Standard Bible
But My righteous one will live by faith; and if he shrinks back, I will take no pleasure in him."

Contemporary English Version
The people God accepts will live because of their faith. But he isn't pleased with anyone who turns back."

Complete Jewish Bible
But the person who is righteous will live his life by trusting, and if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him."

Darby Translation
But the just shall live by faith; and, if he draw back, my soul does not take pleasure in him.

Easy-to-Read Version
The person who is right with me will live by trusting in me. But I will not be pleased with the one who turns back in fear."

Geneva Bible (1587)
Nowe the iust shall liue by faith: but if any withdrawe himselfe, my soule shall haue no pleasure in him.

George Lamsa Translation
But the righteous shall live by my faith: and if any draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

Good News Translation
My righteous people, however, will believe and live; but if any of them turns back, I will not be pleased with them."

Lexham English Bible
But my righteous one will live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul is not well pleased with him."

Literal Translation
"But the just shall live by faith;" "and if he draws back," "My soul is not pleased in him." Hab. 2:4; Zeph. 1:6; Mal. 1:10

American Standard Version
But my righteous one shall live by faith: And if he shrink back, my soul hath no pleasure in him.

Bible in Basic English
But the upright man will be living by his faith; and if he goes back, my soul will have no pleasure in him.

Hebrew Names Version
But the righteous will live by faith. If he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him."

International Standard Version
but my righteous one will live by faith,Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11;">[xr] and if he turns back, my soul will take no pleasure in him."Isaiah 26:20 (LXX); Habakkuk 2:3-4 (LXX)">[fn]

Etheridge Translation
But the just by the faith of me shall live; but if he become weary [fn] , my soul delighteth not in him.

Murdock Translation
Now the just by my faith, will live: but if he draw back, my soul will not have pleasure in him.

Bishop's Bible (1568)
And the iuste shall lyue by fayth: And yf he withdrawe hym selfe, my soule shall haue no pleasure in hym.

English Revised Version
But my righteous one shall live by faith: And if he shrink back, my soul hath no pleasure in him.

World English Bible
But the righteous will live by faith. If he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him."

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
Now the just shall live by faith; but if he draw back, my soul hath no pleasure in him.

Weymouth's New Testament
But it is by faith that My righteous servant shall live; and if he shrinks back, My soul takes no pleasure in him."

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
For my iust man lyueth of feith; that if he withdrawith hym silf, he schal not plese to my soule.

Update Bible Version
But my righteous one shall live by faith: And if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.

Webster's Bible Translation
Now the just shall live by faith: but if [any man] shall draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

New English Translation
But my righteous one will live by faith , and if he shrinks back , I take no pleasure in him .

New King James Version
Now the [fn] just shall live by faith;But if anyone draws back,My soul has no pleasure in him." Habakkuk 2:3, 4 ">[fn]

New Living Translation
And my righteous ones will live by faith. But I will take no pleasure in anyone who turns away."

New Life Bible
For the one right with God lives by faith. If anyone turns back, I will not be pleased with him."

New Revised Standard
but my righteous one will live by faith. My soul takes no pleasure in anyone who shrinks back."

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
But, my righteous one, by faith, shall live, and, if he draw back, my soul delighteth not in him.

Douay-Rheims Bible
But my just man liveth by faith: but if he withdraw himself, he shall not please my soul.

Revised Standard Version
but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him."

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
But the iust shall live by faith. And yf he withdrawe him silfe my soule shall have no pleasure in him.

Young's Literal Translation
and `the righteous by faith shall live,' and `if he may draw back, My soul hath no pleasure in him,'

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
But the iust shal lyue by his faith: And yf he withdrawe himselfe awaye, my soule shal haue no pleasure in him.

Mace New Testament (1729)
the just shall have life by trusting in me, but if he revolt, he will be the object of my displeasure.

Simplified Cowboy Version
My cowboys will ride by faith, but I won't tolerate anyone who drinks from my well and turns his back on me."

Contextual Overview

¹⁹Therefore, believers, since we have confidence and full freedom to enter the Holy Place [the place where God dwells] by [means of] the blood of Jesus, ²⁰by this new and living way which He initiated and opened for us through the veil [as in the Holy of Holies], that is, through His flesh, ²¹and since we have a great and wonderful Priest [Who rules] over the house of God, ²²let us approach [God] with a true and sincere heart in unqualified assurance of faith, having had our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. ²³Let us seize and hold tightly the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is reliable and trustworthy and faithful [to His word]; ²⁴and let us consider [thoughtfully] how we may encourage one another to love and to do good deeds, ²⁵not forsaking our meeting together [as believers for worship and instruction], as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more [faithfully] as you see the day [of Christ's return] approaching. ²⁶For if we go on willfully and deliberately sinning after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice [to atone] for our sins [that is, no further offering to anticipate], ²⁷but a kind of awful and terrifying expectation of [divine] judgment and THE FURY OF A FIRE and BURNING WRATH WHICH WILL CONSUME THE ADVERSARIES [those who put themselves in opposition to God]. ²⁸Anyone who has ignored and set aside the Law of Moses is put to death without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

the just: Habakkuk 2:4, Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11

but: Hebrews 10:26, Hebrews 10:27, Hebrews 6:4-6, Psalms 85:8, Ezekiel 3:20, Ezekiel 18:24, Zephaniah 1:6, Matthew 12:43-45, Matthew 13:21, 2 Peter 2:19-22, 1 John 2:19

my: Psalms 5:4, Psalms 147:11, Psalms 149:4, Isaiah 42:1, Malachi 1:10, Matthew 12:18, 1 Thessalonians 2:15

Reciprocal: Genesis 19:26 - looked Numbers 14:4 - General Joshua 23:12 - go back Joshua 24:16 - General Joshua 24:20 - he will turn Ruth 1:15 - gone back 1 Samuel 15:11 - turned 2 Samuel 22:22 - have not 1 Chronicles 28:9 - if thou forsake 2 Chronicles 15:2 - if ye forsake Ezra 8:22 - his power and his wrath Job 23:12 - Neither Psalms 80:18 - So will Psalms 125:5 - As for such Proverbs 1:32 - the turning Proverbs 21:16 - wandereth Ecclesiastes 8:10 - they were Isaiah 35:4 - behold Ezekiel 11:21 - whose Ezekiel 33:13 - if he Ezekiel 33:18 - General Ezekiel 46:9 - he that entereth in Zechariah 7:11 - pulled away the shoulder Zechariah 11:8 - and my Mark 16:16 - that believeth and Luke 9:62 - No Luke 14:30 - General Luke 17:32 - General John 6:66 - of his John 8:31 - If John 20:25 - Except Acts 10:22 - a just 2 Corinthians 5:7 - General Galatians 4:9 - again Galatians 5:4 - ye Philippians 3:16 - whereto Colossians 1:23 - ye continue Hebrews 3:6 - if Hebrews 3:12 - in Hebrews 3:15 - To day 1 Peter 4:18 - if Revelation 2:26 - keepeth

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Now the just shall live by faith,.... The "just" man is one not in appearance only, but in reality; not by his obedience to the law, but by the obedience of Christ; and he is evidently so by the Spirit, and by faith: and he is one, who lives soberly and righteously; and the life he lives, and shall live, at present, is, not eternal life; for though he shall live that life, yet this is not intended; for it is a living by faith that is spoken of, and as antecedent to the coming of Christ; but a spiritual life is meant, a life of justification in Christ, a life of communion with Christ, and a life of holiness from Christ, with peace, joy, and comfort through him: and the manner of this just man's living is "by faith"; not upon his faith, but upon Christ, the object of it; and by "his faith", as in Habakkuk 2:4 his own, and not another's; or by the faith of Christ: the Syriac version here renders it, "by the faith of myself"; that is, by the faith of Christ, who speaks, and who is the author and object of faith: the Alexandrian copy and the Vulgate Latin version read, "my just man shall live by faith"; and this life is to be now, in the mean while, until Christ comes, and because he will certainly come:

but if [any man] draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. The Hebrew word עפלה, used in Habakkuk 2:4 and which, by the Septuagint there, and by the apostle here, is translated by υποστειληται, and rendered "draw back", according to R. David Kimchi c signifies, pride and haughtiness of heart; and, according to R. Sol. Jarchi d it signifies impudence; R. Moses Kimchi e takes it to be the same with עפל, which is used for a tower, or fortified place; and thinks it designs one who betakes himself to such a place for safety from the enemy, and seeks not to God for deliverance: so that such a person seems to be designed, who swells with pride and confidence in his own righteousness; who betakes himself to some fortress of his own for safety; who withdraws from the assembly of the saints, through fear of reproach and persecution; who withholds the truth, shuns to declare it, or maintain a profession of it; plays the hypocrite, and deals deceitfully in religious things; and, in short, it may intend one, who finally and totally apostatizes from the doctrine of faith, and the profession of it: and in such persons God has no pleasure, never had, nor never will have; but, on the contrary, they are abominable to him, and will lie under his sore displeasure, and feel the keen resentments of it; such stand opposed to the just man, that lives by faith, walks humbly with God, in a dependence, not on his own righteousness, but on the righteousness of Christ, in which he is safe from condemnation, and secure of the divine favour; for drawing back is not supposed of the just man, but of any man, as we, with the Ethiopic version, rightly supply; and is to be understood of anyone of the external professors of religion, who forsake the assembling of the saints, Hebrews 10:25 and is denied of the truly righteous in the following words.

c In Hab. ii. 4. d In ib. e Apud R. David Kimchi in ibid. & in Sepher Shorashim, rad. עפל.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Now the just shall live by faith - This is a part of the quotation from Habakkuk Habakkuk 2:3-4, which was probably commenced in the previous verse; see the passage fully explained in the notes on Romans 1:17. The meaning in the connection in which it stands here, in accordance with the sense in which it was used by Habakkuk, is, that the righteous should live by “continued confidence” in God. They should pass their lives not in doubt, and fear, and trembling apprehension, but in the exercise of a calm trust in God. In this sense it accords with the scope of what the apostle is here saying. He is exhorting the Christians whom he addressed, to perseverance in their religion even in the midst of many persecutions. To encourage this he says, that it was a great principle that the just, that is, all the pious, ought to live in the constant exercise of “faith in God.” They should not confide in their own merits, works, or strength. They should exercise constant reliance on their Maker, and he would keep them even unto eternal life. The sense is, that a persevering confidence or belief in the Lord will preserve us amidst all the trials and calamities to which we are exposed.

But if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him - This also is a quotation from Habakkuk 2:4, but from the Septuagint, not from the Hebrew. “Why” the authors of the Septuagint thus translated the passage, it is impossible now to say. The Hebrew is rendered in the common version, “Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him;” or more literally, “Behold the scornful; his mind shall not be happy” (Stuart); or as Gesenius renders it, “See, he whose soul is unbelieving shall, on this account, be unhappy.” The sentiment there is, that the scorner or unbeliever in that day would be unhappy, or would not prosper - לה ישרה lo’ yaash^araah. The apostle has retained the general sense of the passage, and the idea which he expresses is, that the unbeliever, or he who renounces his religion, will incur the divine displeasure. He will be a man exposed to the divine wrath; a man on whom God cannot look but with disapprobation. By this solemn consideration, therefore, the apostle urges on them the importance of perseverance, and the guilt and danger of apostasy from the Christian faith. If such a case should occur, no matter what might have been the former condition, and no matter what love or zeal might have been evinced, yet such an apostasy would expose the individual to the certain wrath of God. His former love could not save him, any more than the former obedience of the angels saved them from the horrors of eternal chains and darkness, or than the holiness in which Adam was created saved him and his posterity from the calamities which his apostasy incurred.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 38. 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 faith, shall live-shall be preserved when this overflowing scourge shall come. See this meaning of the phrase vindicated, Romans 1:17. And it is evident, both from this text, and Galatians 3:11, that it is in this sense that the apostle uses it.

But if any man draw back] Και εαν ὑποστειληται· But if he draw back; he, the man who is justified by faith; for it is of him, and none other, that the text speaks. The insertion of the words any man, if done to serve the purpose of a particular creed, is a wicked perversion of the words of God. They were evidently intended to turn away the relative from the antecedent, in order to save the doctrine of final and unconditional perseverance; which doctrine this text destroys.

My soul shall have no pleasure in him. — My very heart shall be opposed to him who makes shipwreck of faith and a good conscience. The word υποστελλειν signifies, not only to draw back, but to slink away and hide through fear. In this sense it is used by the very best Greek writers, as well as by Josephus and Philo. As dastards and cowards are hated by all men, so those that slink away from Christ and his cause, for fear of persecution or secular loss, God must despise; in them he cannot delight; and his Spirit, grieved with their conduct, must desert their hearts, and lead them to darkness and hardness.