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Selected Verse: Hebrews 10:38 - Strong Concordance

Verse	Translation	Text
Heb 10:38	Strong Concordance	Now [1161] the just [1342] shall live [2198] by [1537] faith [4102]: but [2532] if [1437] any man draw back [5288], my [3450] soul [5590] shall have [2106] no [3756] pleasure [2106] in [1722] him [846].
	King James	Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
just--The oldest manuscripts and Vulgate read, "my just man." God is the speaker: "He who is just in My sight." BENGEL translates, "The just shall live by my faith": answering to the Hebrew, Hab 2:4; literally, "the just shall live by the faith of Him," namely, Christ, the final subject of "the vision," who "will not lie," that is, disappoint. Here not merely the first beginning, as in Gal 3:11, but the continuance, of the spiritual life of the justified man is referred to, as opposed to declension and apostasy. As the justified man receives his first spiritual life by faith, so it is by faith that he shall continue to live (Luk 4:4). The faith meant here is that fully developed living trust in the unseen (Heb 11:1) Saviour, which can keep men steadfast amidst persecutions and temptations (Heb 10:34-36). but--Greek, "and." if any man draw back--So the Greek admits: though it might also be translated, as ALFORD approves, "if he (the just man) draw back." Even so, it would not disprove the final perseverance of saints. For "the just man" in this latter clause would mean one seemingly, and in part really, though not savingly, "just" or justified: as in Eze 18:24, Eze 18:26. In the Hebrew, this latter half of the verse stands first, and is, "Behold, his soul which is lifted up, is not upright in him." Habakkuk states the cause of drawing back: a soul lifted up, and in self-inflated unbelief setting itself up against God. Paul, by the Spirit, states the effect, it draws back. Also, what in Habakkuk is, "His soul is not upright in him," is in Paul, "My soul shall have no pleasure in him." Habakkuk states the cause, Paul the effect: He who is not right in his own soul, does not stand right with God; God has no pleasure in him. BENGEL translates Habakkuk, "His soul is not upright in respect to him," namely, Christ, the subject of "the vision," that is, Christ has no pleasure in him (compare Heb 12:25). Every flower in spring is not a fruit in autumn.

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

just--The oldest manuscripts and Vulgate read, "my just man." God is the speaker: "He who is just in My sight." BENGEL translates, "The just shall live by my faith": answering to the Hebrew, Hab 2:4; literally, "the just shall live by the faith of Him," namely, Christ, the final subject of "the vision," who "will not lie," that is, disappoint. Here not merely the first beginning, as in Gal 3:11, but the continuance, of the spiritual life of the justified man is referred to, as opposed to declension and apostasy. As the justified man receives his first spiritual life by faith, so it is by faith that he shall continue to live (Luk 4:4). The faith meant here is that fully developed living trust in the unseen (Heb 11:1) Saviour, which can keep men steadfast amidst persecutions and temptations (Heb 10:34-36).

but--Greek, "and."

if any man draw back--So the Greek admits: though it might also be translated, as ALFORD approves, "if he (the just man) draw back." Even so, it would not disprove the final perseverance of saints. For "the just man" in this latter clause would mean one seemingly, and in part really, though not savingly, "just" or justified: as in Eze 18:24, Eze 18:26. In the Hebrew, this latter half of the verse stands first, and is, "Behold, his soul which is lifted up, is not upright in him." Habakkuk states the cause of drawing back: a soul lifted up, and in self-inflated unbelief setting itself up against God. Paul, by the Spirit, states the effect, it draws back. Also, what in Habakkuk is, "His soul is not upright in him," is in Paul, "My soul shall have no pleasure in him." Habakkuk states the cause, Paul the effect: He who is not right in his own soul, does not stand right with God; God has no pleasure in him. BENGEL translates Habakkuk, "His soul is not upright in respect to him," namely, Christ, the subject of "the vision," that is, Christ has no pleasure in him (compare Heb 12:25). Every flower in spring is not a fruit in autumn.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
Now the just shall live by faith - This is a part of the quotation from Habakkuk Hab 2:3-4, which was probably commenced in the previous verse; see the passage fully explained in the notes on Rom 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 Hab 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' yaasharaah. 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.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]
Now the just shall live by faith (ὁ δὲ δίκαιός (μου) ἐκ πίστεως ζήσεται) Cited by Paul, Rom 1:17; Gal 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 ἐὰν ὑποοτείληται) Omit if any man. Rend. "and if he draw back," that is, the just man. The possibility of the lapse of even the just is assumed. See on Heb 6:4-6. The verb only here, Act 20:20, Act 20:27; Gal 2:12. See on Act 20:20. Rare in lxx. Shall have no pleasure (οὐκ εὐδοκεῖ) Rend. "hath no pleasure." "If he draw back - in him," not in the Hebrew, which reads, "behold, puffed up within him is his soul, it is not upright." The clauses of the lxx are transposed here.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
Now the just - The justified person. Shall live - In God's favour, a spiritual and holy life. By faith - As long as he retains that gift of God. But if he draw back - If he make shipwreck of his faith My soul hath no pleasure in him - That is, I abhor him; I cast him off. Hab 2:3, &c.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
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, Rom 1:17. And it is evident, both from this text, and Gal 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 ὑποστελλειν 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.

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²⁵ See [991] that ye refuse [3868] not [3361] him that speaketh [2980]. For [1063] if [1487] they [1565] escaped [5343] not [3756] who refused him [3868] that spake [5537] on [1909] earth [1093], much [4183] more [3123] shall not we [2249] escape, if we turn away from him [654] that speaketh from [575] heaven [3772]:

²⁶ When a righteous [06662] man turneth away [07725] from his righteousness [06666], and committeth [06213] iniquity [05766], and dieth [04191] in them; for his iniquity [05766] that he hath done [06213] shall he die [04191].

²⁴ But when the righteous [06662] turneth away [07725] from his righteousness [06666], and committeth [06213] iniquity [05766], and doeth [06213] according to all the abominations [08441] that the wicked [07563] man doeth [06213], shall he live [02425]? All his righteousness [06666] that he hath done [06213] shall not be mentioned [02142]: in his trespass [04603] that he hath trespassed [04604], and in his sin [02403] that he hath sinned [02398], in them shall he die [04191].

³⁴ For [2532] [1063] ye had compassion [4834] of me in my [3450] bonds [1199], and [2532] took [4327] joyfully [3326] [5479] the spoiling [724] of your [5216] goods [5224], knowing [1097] in [1722] yourselves [1438] that ye have [2192] in [1722] heaven [3772] a better [2909] and [2532] an enduring [3306] substance [5223].
³⁵ Cast [577] not [3361] away [577] therefore [3767] your [5216] confidence [3954], which [3748] hath [2192] great [3173] recompence of reward [3405].
³⁶ For [1063] ye have [2192] need [5532] of patience [5281], that [2443], after ye have done [4160] the will [2307] of God [2316], ye might receive [2865] the promise [1860].

¹ Now [1161] faith [4102] is [2076] the substance [5287] of things hoped for [1679], the evidence [1650] of things [4229] not [3756] seen [991].

⁴ And [2532] Jesus [2424] answered [611] him [4314] [846], saying [3004], It is written [1125], That [3754] man [444] shall [2198] not [3756] live [2198] by [1909] bread [740] alone [3441], but [235] by [1909] every [3956] word [4487] of God [2316].

¹¹ But [1161] that [3754] no man [3762] is justified [1344] by [1722] the law [3551] in the sight [3844] of God [2316], it is evident [1212]: for [3754], The just [1342] shall live [2198] by [1537] faith [4102].

⁴ Behold, his soul [05315] which is lifted up [06075] is not upright [03474] in him: but the just [06662] shall live [02421] by his faith [0530].

¹⁷ For [1063] therein [1722] [846] is [601] the righteousness [1343] of God [2316] revealed [601] from [1537] faith [4102] to [1519] faith [4102]: as [2531] it is written [1125], [1161] The just [1342] shall live [2198] by [1537] faith [4102].

³ For the vision [02377] is yet for an appointed time [04150], but at the end [07093] it shall speak [06315], and not lie [03576]: though it tarry [04102], wait [02442] for it; because it will surely [0935] come [0935], it will not tarry [0309].
⁴ Behold, his soul [05315] which is lifted up [06075] is not upright [03474] in him: but the just [06662] shall live [02421] by his faith [0530].

²⁰ And how [5613] I kept back [5288] nothing [3762] that was profitable [4851] unto you, but [3361] have shewed [312] you [5213], and [2532] have taught [1321] you [5209] publickly [1219], and [2532] from [2596] house to house [3624],

¹² For [1063] before [4253] that certain [5100] came [2064] from [575] James [2385], he did eat [4906] with [3326] the Gentiles [1484]: but [1161] when [3753] they were come [2064], he withdrew [5288] and [2532] separated [873] himself [1438], fearing [5399] them which were of [1537] the circumcision [4061].

²⁷ For [1063] I have [5288] not [3756] [3361] shunned [5288] to declare [312] unto you [5213] all [3956] the counsel [1012] of God [2316].

⁴ For [1063] it is impossible [102] for those who were once [530] enlightened [5461], and [5037] have tasted [1089] of the heavenly [2032] gift [1431], and [2532] were made [1096] partakers [3353] of the Holy [40] Ghost [4151],
⁵ And [2532] have tasted [1089] the good [2570] word [4487] of God [2316], and [5037] the powers [1411] of the world [165] to come [3195],
⁶ If [2532] they shall fall away [3895], to renew them [340] again [3825] unto [1519] repentance [3341]; seeing they crucify [388] to themselves [1438] the Son [5207] of God [2316] afresh [388], and [2532] put him to an open shame [3856].