# Where is “The just shall live by faith” in the Bible?

> “The just shall live by faith” is Romans 1:17.

Source: https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/the-just-shall-live-by-faith
By Andrew Kittridge · November 10, 2026

Paul writes it to the church in Rome, quoting the prophet Habakkuk.

## The verse

> For God’s righteousness is revealed in it from faith to faith, as it is written, “But the righteous will live by faith.”
>
> — [Romans 1:17](https://www.lumin.faith/read/romans/1#17) (Lumin Translation)

These exact words are in the King James Bible. The Lumin Translation, a modern English Bible, is quoted here, and it words the verse differently.

## What it means there

The line is quoted three times in the New Testament. Martin Luther said that understanding this verse changed how he read the whole Bible, and it became a watchword of the Reformation.

## Also in the Bible

> Look at the proud one: his soul is not upright within him. But the righteous will live by his faithfulness.
>
> — [Habakkuk 2:4](https://www.lumin.faith/read/habakkuk/2#4) (Lumin Translation)

> Now it is clear that no one is justified before God by the law, because “The righteous will live by faith.”
>
> — [Galatians 3:11](https://www.lumin.faith/read/galatians/3#11) (Lumin Translation)

> But my righteous one will live by faith, and if he shrinks back, I take no pleasure in him.”
>
> — [Hebrews 10:38](https://www.lumin.faith/read/hebrews/10#38) (Lumin Translation)

## Common questions

### Where is “The just shall live by faith” in the Bible?

“The just shall live by faith” is Romans 1:17. These exact words are in the King James Bible. The Lumin Translation, a modern English Bible, is quoted here, and it words the verse differently. Paul writes it to the church in Rome, quoting the prophet Habakkuk.

### Is “The just shall live by faith” in the Bible?

Yes. It is Romans 1:17, and also Habakkuk 2:4, Galatians 3:11 and Hebrews 10:38. In the Lumin Translation, Romans 1:17 reads: “For God’s righteousness is revealed in it from faith to faith, as it is written, “But the righteous will live by faith.””

### Who said “The just shall live by faith”?

Paul writes it to the church in Rome, quoting the prophet Habakkuk.

### What does “The just shall live by faith” mean in the Bible?

The line is quoted three times in the New Testament. Martin Luther said that understanding this verse changed how he read the whole Bible, and it became a watchword of the Reformation.

## More

- [Where is “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/everyone-who-calls-on-the-name-of-the-lord-will-be-saved.md)
- [Where is “Run in such a way as to win the prize” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/run-in-such-a-way-as-to-win-the-prize.md)
- [Where is “O death, where is your sting” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/o-death-where-is-your-sting.md)
- [Where is “I have been crucified with Christ” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/i-have-been-crucified-with-christ.md)
- [Where is “Do not let the sun go down on your anger” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/do-not-let-the-sun-go-down-on-your-anger.md)
- [Where is “Press on toward the goal” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/press-on-toward-the-goal.md)
- [Where is “Pray without ceasing” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/pray-without-ceasing.md)
- [Where is “Faith is the substance of things hoped for” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/faith-is-the-substance-of-things-hoped-for.md)
- [Check any word or a whole song](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-verse-checker)