Romans 1:17 query

[gbausc]

Shlama Bar Nohra (Son of Light),


At last the light dawns on the problem !

Hab. 2:4 says "his faith" in the Hebrew text; Rom. 1:17 says "faith"; Hebrews 10:38 in The Peshitta, quoting Hab. 2:4, says "My faith"; Habakkuk 2:4 in The LXX (Septuagint Greek) says "My faith".
It is possible that "וצדיק באמונתו יחיה" ("The just shall live by his faith"), was
read for וצדיק באמונתי יחיה ("The just shall live by My faith"), seeing that the waw and yodh are easily confused one for the other. Apparently the LXX translator had a Hebrew text with "My faith"; the writer of Hebrews - Peshitta also had the same Hebrew text before him, reading "My faith".
I personally believe the Hebrews and LXX text is the correct and most powerful statement of all. Other scripture makes plain the fact that it is God's faith and the faith of Christ that is given to a man and transforms him from death in sin to life in God's righteousness; it is a miracle and an act of new creation from the Spirit of Holiness in whom God chooses to reveal Himself.
The Westcott and Hort Greek text of Hebrews 10:38 also bears witness to this reading in a corrupted form :
"o de dikaiov mou ek pistewv zhsetai" ("My righteous one shall live by faith") The "My" is misplaced ; if placed 5th instead of 4th in the sentence, it would mean "The righteous one shall live by My faith."

"His faith" is not an incorrect statement, for the righteousness of the righteous is not his own; it is the gift of God, yet he is called a righteous man; so it is with faith; wherever true faith exists, "it is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast". - Ephesians 2:8,9
When God gives a man faith, it becomes his own because it is fully given to him; he cannot truly boast, however, for it is not of
himself.

Burkhtha w'Shlama