The verse “the righteous shall live by faith” from Habakkuk 2:4 is an important concept in the Bible that has been referenced several times by the apostle Paul in the New Testament. Here is an explanation of what it means and why it is significant.
1. The Original Context of Habakkuk 2:4
The verse comes from the Old Testament book of Habakkuk. Habakkuk was a prophet who lived around 600 BC, likely during the reign of King Jehoiakim in Judah. In the first chapter, Habakkuk cried out to God because of the violence and injustice he saw among God’s people in Judah. God responded that he was raising up the Babylonians to come and punish Judah for their unfaithfulness.
This shocked Habakkuk, so in chapter 2 he questioned how God could use a wicked nation like Babylon to judge Judah. God affirmed that Babylon would indeed come to destroy, but warned that they too would face judgment for their pride and greed. Then in 2:4, God says, “Behold, his soul is puffed up; it is not upright within him, but the righteous shall live by his faith.”
In context, this verse provided assurance that the proud and arrogant Babylonians would eventually be judged for their wickedness. In contrast, the righteous person would be preserved through his faithfulness to God. Though difficult circumstances were coming, the righteous could continue trusting in God’s character and promises.
2. How Paul Used Habakkuk 2:4 in Romans and Galatians
The apostle Paul quotes Habakkuk 2:4 in both Romans 1:17 and Galatians 3:11. He draws on this verse to support major themes in both letters about salvation coming through faith rather than works of the law.
In Romans, Paul argues that all people, both Jews and Gentiles, are under the power of sin, unable to make themselves righteous before God (Rom 3:9-20). But God has brought righteousness through the faithfulness of Jesus Christ, which is received simply by faith in him (Rom 3:21-26). Romans 1:17 appears right after this argument, reinforcing that God’s gift of righteousness is “from faith for faith” rather than earned by good works.
Similarly, Galatians focuses on correcting the false teaching that Gentiles must follow the Mosaic law and be circumcised to be full members of God’s people. Paul counters that people become children of God through faith in Christ, not by works of the law (Gal 3:26). He brings in Habakkuk 2:4 to show that the Old Testament itself teaches salvation comes through faith rather than human effort.
3. Faith as Complete Reliance on God
In both Romans and Galatians, Paul uses Habakkuk 2:4 to highlight that salvation is received through faith rather than works. This raises the question – what does “faith” mean?
Biblically, faith is much more than mental assent to a belief. The Hebrew word (emunah) and Greek word (pistis) translated “faith” convey firmness and faithfulness. So biblical faith is a complete trust and reliance upon God. It means actually entrusting oneself to God and his promises.
Paul says in Romans 4:5 that “to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness.” Righteous status before God comes not through good works but through completely depending on Christ’s work on our behalf. We rely fully on who Jesus is and what he has done for us.
4. The Life of Faith
Habakkuk 2:4 says that the righteous person will “live” by faith. Paul also recognized that faith is not merely a one-time event but an ongoing way of life. Galatians 2:20 describes the Christian life as one of deep, continual dependence: “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
This lifelong aspect is also evident in Romans 1:17, where Paul says “from faith for faith.” Faith is how we begin a relationship with God but also how we continue relating to and following him. This happens as we keep relying on Christ’s forgiveness rather than our own works and continuously trust in God’s presence and promises.
5. Faith and Faithfulness are Linked
Though Paul emphasizes faith rather than works, biblical faith always leads to a changed life. James 2:14-26 points out that genuine, living faith will produce good works as evidence of its presence. The righteous life that comes through faith should be marked by righteousness in action.
Paul makes this connection too, for example in Galatians 5:6: “In Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.” Genuine faith works. It bears the fruit of love and obedience to Christ. Paul never intends to separate faith from a faithful, transformed life.
6. Faith in the Promises of God
Faith means trusting in the reliability of God Himself. But scripturally it is often closely tied with trusting in the promises of God. In Hebrews 11, the well-known “faith chapter,” all the examples of faith are people trusting in the promises of God, even when they did not see their fulfillment yet.
Part of living by faith is taking God at his word, even when his promises seem uncertain or distant. Romans 4 shows that Abraham grew strong in faith by believing that God would fulfill His promise to make him the father of many nations, even though it seemed impossible. Faith means believing that what God says will come true, no matter the circumstances.
7. The Object of Faith – God Himself
While faith relies upon the promises of God, biblical faith ultimately has God himself as its object. Faith is only as good as who it is placed in. That is why the righteousness of faith described in Romans and Galatians depends completely on Jesus Christ. He is the object of genuine saving faith.
Paul says in Romans 3:22 that “the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ” is given to all who believe. Galatians 2:16 similarly teaches that “a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ.” Faith in Christ brings salvation, not merely abstract faith itself.
The faith that brings righteousness is faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the fulfillment of God’s promises on which saving faith relies. So faith is only the means by which union with Christ happens. He himself is the foundation on which true faith rests.
8. Faith in Future Grace
Faith relies on Christ’s work accomplished in the past. But it also trusts in God’s ongoing grace for today and tomorrow. Part of living by faith is believing that God will continue to supply what we need to follow him.
2 Corinthians 12:9 records Christ’s words to Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Faith rests on the assurance that God will give strength and sustenance for each day. Walking by faith means continually depending on future grace, not just past grace.
9. The Old Testament Background
As an Old Testament verse quoted by Paul, Habakkuk 2:4 condenses some key Old Testament themes that inform a biblical understanding of faith:
1) Faithfulness to the covenant. God’s people were called to trust and obey God as part of their covenant relationship with Him. Israel was repeatedly unfaithful, but God remained faithful.
2) The fear of the Lord. Faith requires recognizing God for who He is – all-powerful and deserving of honor and awe as the holy Lord over all.
3) Righteousness as a gift from God. The prophets emphasized that righteousness comes from God’s gracious act, not human effort. (Isaiah 45:8, Jeremiah 23:6)
4) The remnant. Even when most were unfaithful, God preserved a faithful remnant who trusted in Him. (Elijah in 1 Kings 19:18)
5) The coming Messiah. God’s promises to send a Messiah who would bring righteousness gave hope to those who faithfully waited.
These Old Testament themes provide background for why Paul referenced Habakkuk 2:4 in his teaching about salvation through faith in Christ.
10. The Bigger Picture of Faith in Scripture
Habakkuk 2:4 succinctly captures a key truth about how God’s people are to relate to him. But many other Bible passages expand on what it means to live by faith:
– Hebrews 11 recounts heroes of faith who trusted God’s promises
– James 2 emphasizes that genuine faith produces fruit such as righteousness and care for the needy
– Romans 4 uses Abraham as an example of someone made righteous through believing faith
– The Psalms frequently extol the blessings that come to those who take refuge in God
– Jesus rebuked his disciples for having “little faith” and commended great faith in people like the centurion in Matthew 8
– Proverbs 3:5-6 calls us to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding”
The principle in Habakkuk 2:4 expresses a trust in God that is woven throughout the entire Bible. Living by faith is a major theme from Genesis to Revelation.
11. Faith in Jesus Brings Eternal Life
Faith is the means by which we receive Christ’s righteousness. But biblical faith ultimately results in much more – an eternal relationship with God himself. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” Faith in Christ brings life eternal.
In John 5:24 Jesus declares, “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.” Faith unites us to the risen Christ now. And through him, we have already passed out of death into life forever.
The righteous live by faith because faith joins them to Jesus, the source of eternal life. Faith grasps the glorious truth that in Christ our life is hidden with God for eternity. (Colossians 3:3-4)
12. Application for Today
What does “the righteous shall live by faith” mean for Christians today? Here are some key applications:
1. Salvation is by grace through faith in Christ, not by good works.
2. A believing life looks like continual reliance on God rather than self.
3. The way we began with Christ is the way we are to continue living (Galatians 3:3).
4. Our security rests on who Christ is and what he has done, not our own record.
5. Faith shows itself through a life of love and good deeds to others.
6. Meeting challenges requires trusting in future grace – God’s promises to be with us and help us.
7. God often calls us to trust him when circumstances seem bleak, as he did with Habakkuk.
8. Genuine faith perseveres even when emotions waver or external props are removed.
9. The life of faith leads to eternal life and joy forever with God.