BUT MY RIGHTEOUS ONE SHALL LIVE BY FAITH: o de dikaios mou ek pisteos zesetai (3SFMI) ek pisteos: (Habakkuk 2:4; Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11)

In Romans 1:17 Paul uses Hab 2:4 to emphasize that salvation of both Jews and Greeks is by faith.

In Gal 3:11 he uses it to show that man is not justified or declared righteous by the Law but by faith (probably the primary audience in Galatia was Gentile converts Judaizers were trying to get to undergo circumcision as a necessary adjunct to their faith) and finally here in Hebrews to emphasize that the not shrinking back even in persecution equates with saving faith and that the person who has been made righteous by God lives (and survives the coming ordeal) by faith.

Habakkuk 2:4,5 is descriptive of the proud who do not live by faith. It is the proud who are self-sufficient and who fail to realize the necessity of patient endurance and trust in God. The proud Jew will be rejected if he does not exercise faith. He will be judged along with the nations.

The opposite of apostasy is faith. This is a preview of the subsequent chapter. It is faith which pleases God. The individual who draws back from the knowledge of the gospel and faith will prove his apostasy. We are not just saved from our sin by faith; we also must live by faith. This is the theme of Hebrews 11-13.

Here by faith equates with "holding on", not shrinking back even in the face of persecution, holding fast in obedience (Hebrews 3:6, 14, 4:2)

This was the divine spark that lit the Reformation when Martin Luther, an Augustinian monk, found them in his Greek New Testament, illuminated by the Holy Spirit. That is, the justified person is justified by God upon the basis of and in answer to his faith in the Lord Jesus.

The opposite of apostasy is faith. This is a preview of the subsequent chapter. It is faith which pleases God. The individual who draws back from the knowledge of the gospel and faith will prove his apostasy

Ek is genitive here so is a marker of instrument = that is ek which normally means out of here says this person lives "as a result of" or "by reason of" or "by means of" faith.

Faith (4102) (pistis) is synonymous with trust or belief and is the conviction of the truth of anything, but in Scripture usually speaks of belief  respecting man's relationship to God and divine things, generally with the included idea of trust and holy fervor born of faith and joined with it.

It is notable that only the book of Romans surpasses the book of Hebrews (click to study the uses of pistis in Hebrews) in the number of uses of pistis (Romans = 35, Hebrews = 31, out of 243 NT uses) Click for links to all 243 uses of pistis (NAS) which is translated: faith, 238; faithfulness, 3; pledge, 1; proof, 1.

See related studies on the specific phrases (1) "the faith" and (2) the "obedience of faith". See also study on pistos

a positive recognition of the truth”; an emotional element (assensus), which includes “a deep conviction of the truth”; and a volitional element (fiducia), which involves “a personal trust in Christ as Savior and Lord, including a surrender … to Christ.” (Louis Berkhof, Systematic Theology. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1939)

When missionary John Paton  was translating the Scripture for the South Sea islanders, he was unable to find a word in their vocabulary for the concept of believing, trusting, or having faith. He had no idea how he would convey that to them. One day while he was in his hut translating, a native came running up the stairs into Paton's study and flopped in a chair, exhausted. He said to Paton,

Clearly faith is a key word in Hebrews. Study the 31 uses of pistis in Hebrews in context (click the Scripture links to go to the notes on each verse)...

Hebrews 4:2 - For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they also; but the word they heard did not profit them, because it was not united by faith in those who heard.

Hebrews 6:1 - Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,

Hebrews 6:12 -so that you will not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Hebrews 10:22 - let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

Hebrews 10:38 - BUT MY RIGHTEOUS ONE SHALL LIVE BY FAITH; AND IF HE SHRINKS BACK, MY SOUL HAS NO PLEASURE IN

Hebrews 10:39 - But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul.

Hebrews 11:1 - Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Hebrews 11:3 - By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible.

Hebrews 11:4 - By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained the testimony that he was righteous, God testifying about his gifts, and through faith, though he is dead, he still speaks.

Hebrews 11:5 - By faith Enoch was taken up so that he would not see death; AND HE WAS NOT FOUND BECAUSE GOD TOOK HIM UP; for he obtained the witness that before his being taken up he was pleasing to God.

Hebrews 11:6 - And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.

Hebrews 11:7 - By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.

Hebrews 11:8 - By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going.

Hebrews 11:9 - By faith he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise;

Hebrews 11:11 - By faith even Sarah herself received ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him faithful who had promised.

Hebrews 11:13 - All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.

Hebrews 11:17 - By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was offering up his only begotten son;

Hebrews 11:20 - By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even regarding things to come.

Hebrews 11:21 - By faith Jacob, as he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.

Hebrews 11:22 - By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the exodus of the sons of Israel, and gave orders concerning his bones.

Hebrews 11:23 - By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king's edict.

Hebrews 11:24 - By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter,

Hebrews 11:27 - By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing Him who is unseen.

Hebrews 11:28 - By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that he who destroyed the firstborn would not touch them.

Hebrews 11:29 -By faith they passed through the Red Sea as though they were passing through dry land; and the Egyptians, when they attempted it, were drowned.

Hebrews 11:30 - By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days.

Hebrews 11:31 - By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish along with those who were disobedient, after she had welcomed the spies in peace.

Hebrews 11:33 -who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions,

Hebrews 11:39 - And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised,

Hebrews 12:2 - fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 13:7 - Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.

AND IF HE SHRINKS BACK MY SOUL HAS NO PLEASURE IN HIM: kai ean huposteiletai (3SAMS) ouk eudokei (3SPAI) e psuche mou en auto: (He 10:26,27; 6:4, 5, 6; Psalms 85:8; Ezekiel 3:20; 18:24; Zephaniah 1:6; Matthew 12:43, 44, 45; 13:21; 2Peter 2:19, 20, 21, 22; 1John 2:19) (Psalms 5:4; 147:11; 149:4; Isaiah 42:1; Malachi 1:10; Matthew 12:18; 1Thessalonians 2:15)

If = 3rd Class Condition: Ean (1437) + subjunctive mood implying uncertainty. The persecution was coming...the question was "Would the hearers hold fast firm to the end?" So again he goes to the familiar OT Scriptures to teach that the person who has been made righteous by God continues to live (and survives -- whether he lives or dies --the coming ordeal) by faith.

Withdraws, as already in Acts 20:20,27 Used of drawing back or down sails on a ship. This word is the picture of lowering a sail and so slackening the course. The point is that the believer who "lowers his sail and slackens his course" is the one in whom God takes no pleasure!

Check these parallel NT verses re "shrinking back": Mt 13:21. Lk 8:13, 14, 9:62. 1Ti 1:19, 4:1, 5:15, 6:10 2Ti  4:10, 2Pe 2:19, 20, 21,22, 1Jn 2:19.

Pleasure (eudokeo) is found also in Heb 10:6, 8. After stating clearly the manner of gaining a RIGHTEOUS STANDING before God (~SALVATION) is by faith in Messiah as High Priest, the writer warns those among his readers who only made a profession of faith, that if they draw back to the temple sacrifices, renouncing their professed faith in Messiah, God shall have no pleasure in that person.

Keep in mind that this letter is written to the professing Church which is made up of true believers and of unbelievers. Here the writer is thinking of the one who professes to be justified but who has only an intellectual faith, not a heart trust (cp Simon's profession in Acts 8:13, 21).

He will then proceed to illustrate FAITH that pleases God in Hebrews "hall of faith" chap11.

BUT WE ARE NOT OF THOSE WHO SHRINK BACK TO DESTRUCTION: hemeis de ouk esmen (1PPAI) hupostoles eis apoleian: (He 6:6, 7, 8, 9; 1Sa 15:11; Ps 44:18; Pr 1:32; 14:14; Luke 11:26; 1John 5:16; Jude 1:12,13) (He 10:26; John 17:12; 2Thessalonians 2:3; 1Timothy 6:9; 2Peter 3:7; Revelation 17:8,11)

In contrast to renegades who do flicker and turn back from Christ.

A shrinking back or turning back; stealthy retreat in Plutarch, dissimulation (to hide under a false appearance ) in Josephus. See modern day example of those who do not shrink back below in Sumatra.

Defines an utter & hopeless loss of all that gives worth to existence. It means to perish, but not to he point of extinction. It is associated with a loss of well-being. “Destruction” was commonly used in NT of the everlasting punishment or judgment of unbelievers (cf. Mt 7:13; Ro 9:22; Php 1:28; 3:19; 1Ti 6:9). Judas and the Man of Sin are called “son of perdition” (or "destruction") a Hebrew way (Semitism) of indicating that one is “perdition bound”; Jn 17:12; 2Th 2:3).

The writer expresses confidence that believing readers (“we”) will not be counted among “those” who fall away to destruction. Apostates will draw back from Christ but there are some who are near to believing who can be pulled “out of the fire” (cf. Jude 1:23).

BUT OF THOSE WHO HAVE FAITH TO THE PRESERVING OF THE SOUL: alla pisteos eis peripoiesin psuche: (He 11:1; Mark 16:16; John 3:15,16; 5:24; 6:40; 20:31; Acts 16:30,31; Romans 10:9,10; 1Thessalonians 5:9; 2Thessalonians 2:12, 13, 14; 1Peter 1:5; 1John 5:5)

We need to remember how God has helped us in the past. The writer to the Hebrews held up the church’s stones of remembrance one by one. Each stone told them of two things—God’s faithfulness, and the strength that had been theirs when they trusted him. All of us have such memories. We need to replay the tapes. It is a divine duty.

Finally, we need to respond in the present. Be confident! Do not succumb to the “Wallenda factor.” Persevere in faith. Look back in faith. Look up in faith. “My righteous one,” says God, “will live by faith.”

Example of the "we" who do not shrink back: Global Prayer Digest, June 20, 1999

Evangelistic recordings in Sumatra Evangelistic recordings are now being made and distributed to many of the unreached peoples who live on hundreds of smaller islands close to Sumatra. For these groups, often illiterate and steeped in both Islam and animism, evangelistic tapes are one of the least threatening ways to introduce them to the gospel. One such tribe is the two million Melayu Riau. There are only 30 known Christians among them, but a few more of them have become believers recently. After putting their faith in Christ, they have suffered tremendous pressure from their families to recant their faith. Fortunately, God is using these pressure situations as a witness to their friends as these believers stand firm for Christ. An even smaller ethnic group are the 55,000 Bengkulu with only 25 known Christians. Neither of these two groups have the gospel in their language, so evangelistic tapes are very effective in preparing their hearts for future witnessing. Let's pray for the work of making evangelistic recordings among these two unreached groups. Pray the gospel tapes will inspire hundreds from each of these two people groups to put their faith in Christ.

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