Meaning of Hebrews 10:38

This verse, Hebrews 10:38, is a powerful exhortation rooted in the Old Testament, specifically quoting Habakkuk 2:4. It serves as a concluding affirmation for the author's argument about the superiority of the New Covenant and the importance of faith in God's redemptive plan. The first clause, "But my righteous one will live by faith," emphasizes that true righteousness and life in God's eyes are not achieved through adherence to the Mosaic Law or by human effort alone, but through a life characterized by unwavering trust and reliance on God. This faith is not passive belief but an active, ongoing commitment that sustains believers through trials and temptations. The second clause, "And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back," issues a stark warning against apostasy or a faithless withdrawal from commitment. God's pleasure is found in those who persevere in their faith, not in those who abandon it when faced with adversity or doubt.

Context and Background

The author of Hebrews is addressing a community of Jewish Christians who are facing persecution and the temptation to revert to Judaism, which offered more social acceptance and less immediate danger. The preceding verses (Hebrews 10:19-37) have been building a case for the enduring significance of Christ's sacrifice and the new covenant it established, contrasting it with the limitations of the old covenant sacrifices. The author urges them to hold fast to their confession and to remember their past endurance. Hebrews 10:38, therefore, acts as a powerful concluding statement to this argument, reinforcing the central role of faith as the means by which believers maintain their relationship with God and experience the fullness of His salvation. The quotation from Habakkuk is particularly poignant, as Habakkuk himself wrestled with God's justice and the seemingly slow progress of His purposes, ultimately finding assurance in God's faithfulness and the righteous life lived in trust.

Key Themes and Messages

• Sovereignty of Faith: The verse unequivocally establishes faith as the pathway to life and righteousness. It's not about earning God's favor but receiving it through trust.
• Perseverance: The contrast between living by faith and shrinking back highlights the importance of steadfastness in belief and commitment, especially in difficult times.
• Divine Displeasure with Apostasy: The statement about God taking no pleasure in those who shrink back is a serious warning against abandoning one's faith. This is not about occasional doubts but a deliberate turning away from God.
• The Righteous One: This refers to those who are declared righteous by God, not through their own merit, but through their faith in Christ.

Spiritual Significance and Application

For contemporary believers, this verse is a vital reminder of the foundational importance of faith. It calls for a life lived not by sight or by the fluctuating circumstances of the world, but by an abiding trust in God's promises and His character. It encourages resilience in the face of challenges, reminding believers that their endurance is a testament to the genuineness of their faith. The warning against shrinking back is a sober call to examine the depth of one's commitment and to actively resist any inclination to compromise or abandon one's spiritual convictions when faced with pressure or hardship. It underscores that a superficial or wavering faith is displeasing to God.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

This verse is a lynchpin connecting Old Testament faith traditions with New Testament realities. The Old Testament is replete with examples of individuals whose faith was instrumental in God's dealings with humanity, from Abraham to David. Habakkuk's prophecy itself is a significant Old Testament testament to the principle of living by faith. In the New Testament, Jesus consistently commends faith, and the Apostle Paul extensively develops the doctrine of justification by faith alone. Hebrews 10:38, by quoting Habakkuk and placing it within the context of Christ's finished work, powerfully asserts that this principle of living by faith remains central to God's redemptive plan, now fully realized in Jesus.

Analogies

• A Ship's Anchor: Faith can be likened to an anchor that holds a ship steady in a storm. Even when the waves are high and the winds are fierce, the anchor keeps the ship from drifting away from its course and sinking. Those who shrink back are like a ship that cuts its anchor loose and is tossed about by the sea.
• A Seed's Growth: A righteous life lived by faith is like a seed that, when planted in fertile ground and nurtured, grows into a strong plant, bearing fruit. Shrinking back is like a seed that fails to take root or is trampled before it can grow.
• A Soldier's Duty: The faithful believer is like a soldier who remains at their post, loyal to their commander even in the heat of battle. Those who shrink back are like deserters who abandon their post, bringing shame upon themselves and their army.

Relation to Other Verses

• Habakkuk 2:4: As already noted, this is the direct source of the first part of the verse, establishing its Old Testament roots.
• Romans 1:17: "For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: 'The righteous will live by faith.'" This Pauline verse echoes the same sentiment, emphasizing that righteousness is a gift received through faith.
• Galatians 3:11: "Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, 'The righteous will live by faith.'" Paul again uses the Habakkuk quote to argue against legalism and for justification by faith.
• Hebrews 11:1: "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." This foundational definition of faith in the same epistle provides the conceptual framework for understanding what it means to "live by faith."
• Hebrews 12:1-3: The subsequent verses in Hebrews directly link living by faith to running the race set before us with perseverance, looking to Jesus as the ultimate example of faith and endurance, further underscoring the theme of not shrinking back.