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Hebrews 12:1

in Hebrews 12

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance the race set out for us.

BSB

The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾

ASV

Therefore let us also, seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

KJV

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

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This verse in Hebrews 12

Commentary

6 notes on this verse

A commentator

Clement of Rome

Letter to the Corinthians (Clement) · Written before 99.

Thus the humility and godly submission of so great and illustrious men have rendered not only us, but also all the generations before us, better; even as many as have received His oracles in fear and truth. Wherefore, having so many great and glorious examples set before us, let us turn again to the practice of that peace which from the beginning was the mark set before us; and let us look steadfastly to the Father and Creator of the universe, and cleave to His mighty and surpassingly great gifts and benefactions of peace.

This site's exposition

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses

on Hebrews 12:1-2

The chapter opens by naming what chapter eleven was building, a cloud of witnesses, a word this letter elsewhere uses for testifying rather than for watching, so the roll just finished stands as those who have themselves borne witness to faith rather than as an audience seated to observe the reader's own race. No further doctrine is built on the image; the text names no place from which the departed watch, and asks no prayer directed to them. Lay aside every weight and the sin which doth so easily beset us pictures a runner stripping for the course, and looking unto Jesus, fixing the eyes away from every other sight, finds in him both the author and finisher of the faith just displayed, who endured the cross for the joy set before him and is now set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

The record, by era

The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice

A commentator

John Wesley

1703–1791

Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament (1755)

Let us lay aside every weight - As all who run a race take care to do. Let us throw off whatever weighs us down, or damps the vigour of our Soul. And the sin which easily besetteth us - As doth the sin of our constitution, the sin of our education, the sin of our profession.
The Nineteenth Century3 voices
Wherefore - In view of what has been said in the previous chapter. Seeing we also are encompassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses - The apostle represents those to whom he had referred in the previous chapter, as looking on to witness the efforts which Christians make, and the manner in which they live. There is allusion here, doubtless, to the ancient games. A great multitude of spectators usually occupied the circular seats in the amphitheater, from which they could easily behold the combatants; see the notes on 1Co 9:24-

on Hebrews 12:1-2

THE Apostle says, "Let us run." He has in his mind's eye the Olympic games, where all the different tribes of Greece were gathered together in general assembly to display the prowess of the race. Among the athletic exercises were footraces. The Apostle makes this footrace an illustration of the Christian life. We must run with patience along the appointed course if we would win the prize of our high calling. He stands with us at the starting block and earnestly says to us, not "Run," but, "Let us run." The Apostle himself is at our side as a runner.

A commentator

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown

1802–1910

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)

It is not primarily "the sin," &c., but sin in general, with, however, special reference to "apostasy," against which he had already warned them, as one to which they might gradually be seduced; the besetting sin of the Hebrews, UNBELIEF. with patience--Greek, "in persevering endurance" (Heb 10:36).

The words behind it

23 Greek words

Every Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.

A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.

Related verses

18 in all, six open

The number beside each verse is how many compiled reference works tie it to this one. The strongest six stand open.

Isaiah 40:31But those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.177 works2 Timothy 4:7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.169 works1 Corinthians 9:24–27Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way as to take the prize.153 worksPhilippians 2:16as you hold forth the word of life, in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.133 worksLuke 21:34But watch yourselves, or your hearts will be weighed down by dissipation, drunkenness, and the worries of life—and that day will spring upon you suddenly like a snare.98 worksHebrews 10:35–39So do not throw away your confidence; it holds a great reward.82 works
The other 12 cross-references, with their words ▾
Philippians 3:10–14I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to Him in His death,69 worksGalatians 5:7You were running so well. Who has obstructed you from obeying the truth?68 worksHebrews 10:36You need to persevere, so that after you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.67 works1 Peter 2:1Rid yourselves, therefore, of all malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander.56 worksJames 5:7–11Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer awaits the precious fruit of the soil—how patient he is for the fall and spring rains.55 worksColossians 3:5–8Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry.54 worksRomans 12:12Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, persistent in prayer.53 worksEphesians 4:22–24to put off your former way of life, your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;53 works2 Corinthians 7:1Therefore, beloved, since we have these promises, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that defiles body and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.48 worksRomans 13:11–14And do this, understanding the occasion. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.46 worksRomans 5:3–5Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;39 works2 Timothy 2:4A soldier refrains from entangling himself in civilian affairs, in order to please the one who enlisted him.39 works

The walk

8 stops

Each card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.

  • Through

    2 Timothy 4:7

    I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

    it leads to

    • 1 Timothy 6:12

      Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made the good confession before many witnesses.

    • 1 Corinthians 9:24–27

      Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way as to take the prize.

    • Hebrews 12:1–2

      Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance the race set…

    • Acts 20:24

      But I consider my life of no value to me, if only I may finish my course and complete the ministry I have received from the Lord Jesus—the ministry of testifying to the good…

    • Philippians 3:13–14

      Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,

  • Through

    Luke 21:34

    But watch yourselves, or your hearts will be weighed down by dissipation, drunkenness, and the worries of life—and that day will spring upon you suddenly like a snare.

    it leads to

    • Mark 4:19

      but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth, and the desire for other things come in and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.

    • 1 Thessalonians 5:2–8

      For you are fully aware that the Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.

    • Luke 12:45–46

      But suppose that servant says in his heart, ‘My master will be a long time in coming,’ and he begins to beat the menservants and maidservants, and to eat and drink and get drunk.

Where this verse is studied

About Hebrews

Christ Presented to the People, Gustave Doré, 1866. Public domain.
Christ Presented to the People, Gustave Doré, 1866. Public domain.
Hebrews: the study guide →Read Hebrews 12 →

This page draws on Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Charles Spurgeon, The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit, Sermon No. 2037: “The Rule of the Race” (lightly modernized text, CCEL edition); Clement of Rome, Letter to the Corinthians (Clement); Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; John Wesley, Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament; Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible and Sir Robert Anderson, Types in Hebrews.

Read on in Hebrews 12 →