Hebrews 12:1

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, {1} let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which {a} doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, (1) An applying of the former examples, by which we ought to be stirred up to run the whole race, casting away all hindrances and impediments. (a) For sin besieges us on all sides, so that we cannot escape.

Therefore (τοιγαροῦν) An emphatic particle, strongly affirming the facts on which the following exhortation is based. We also are compassed (καὶ ἡμεῖς) According to this the sense would be, those described in ch. 11 were compassed with a cloud of witnesses, and we also are so compassed. Wrong. The we also should be construed with let us run. "Therefore let us also (as they did) run our appointed race with patience." Seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses (τοσοῦτον ἔχοντες περικείμενον ἡμῖν νέφος μαρτύρων) Lit. having so great a cloud of witnesses lying around us. Νέφος cloud, N.T.o , means a great mass of cloud covering the entire visible space of the heavens, and therefore without definite form, or a single large mass in which definite outlines are not emphasized or distinguished. It thus differs from νεφέλη, which is a detached and sharply outlined cloud. Νέφος is therefore more appropriate to the author's image, which is that of a vast encompassing and overhanging mass. The use of cloud for a mass of living beings is familiar in poetry. Thus Homer, a cloud of footmen (Il. xxiii. 138): of Trojans (Il. xvi. 66). Themistocles, addressing the Athenians, says of the host of Xerxes, "we have had the fortune to save both ourselves and Greece by repelling so great a cloud of men" (Hdt. viii. 109). Spenser, F. Q. i. 1, 23: "A cloud of cumbrous gnattes doe him molest." Milton, Par.

L. i.:340: "A pitchy cloud of locusts." Witnesses (μαρτύρων) does not mean spectators, but those who have born witness to the truth, as those enumerated in ch. 11. Yet the idea of spectators is implied, and is really the principal idea. The writer's picture is that of an arena in which the Christians whom he addresses are contending in a race, while the vast host of the heroes of faith who, after having born witness to the truth, have entered into their heavenly rests watches the contest from the encircling tiers of the arena, compassing and overhanging it like a cloud, filled with lively interest and sympathy, and lending heavenly aid. How striking the contrast of this conception with that of Kaulbach's familiar "Battle of the Huns," in which the slain warriors are depicted rising from the field and renewing the fight in the upper air with aggravated fury. Weight (ὄγκον) N.T.o , olxx. Lit. bulk, mass. Often in Class. Sometimes metaphorically of a person, dignity, importance, pretension: of a writer's style, loftiness, majesty, impressiveness. Rend. "encumbrance," according to the figure of the racer who puts away everything which may hinder his running. So the readers are exhorted to lay aside every worldly hindrance or embarrassment to their Christian career. And the sin which doth so easily beset (καὶ τὴν εὐπερίστατον ἁμαρτίαν) Καὶ adds to the general encumbrance a specific encumbrance or hindrance. Ἑυπερίστατος N.T.o , olxx, oClass.

Hebrews 12:1 . Τοιγαροῦν καὶ ἡμεῖς .… “Wherefore, as we have so great a cloud of witnesses encompassing us, let us likewise lay aside every encumbrance and sin that clings so close and run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to the leader and perfecter of faith, even Jesus, who for the joy set before him endured a cross despising shame and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” τοιγαροῦν , “wherefore then” more formal and emphatic than the usual, διὰ τοῦτο , διὸ , ὅθεν , οὖν . καὶ ἡμεῖς , we in our turn, we as well as they, and with the added advantage of having so many testimonies to the good results of faith. νέφος used frequently in Homer and elsewhere, as “nubes” in Latin and “cloud” in English to suggest a vast multitude. μαρτύρων , “witnesses,” persons who by their actions have testified to the worth of faith. The cloud of witnesses are those named and suggested in chap. 11; persons whose lives witnessed to the work and triumph of faith, and whose faith was witnessed to by Scripture, cf. Hebrews 11:2 ; Hebrews 11:4-5 . This cloud is περικείμενον , because, as the writer has just shown, look where they will into their history his Hebrew readers see such examples of faith. It is impossible to take μάρτυρες as equivalent to θεαταί . If the idea of “spectator” is present at all, which is very doubtful, it is only introduced by the words τρέχωμεν … ἀγῶνα .

The idea is not that they are running in presence of spectators and must therefore run well; but that their people’s history being filled with examples of much-enduring but triumphant faith, they also must approve their lineage by showing a like persistence of faith. ὄγκον ἀποθέμενοι πάντα , ὄγκος , a mass or weight or burden (= φόρτος ), hence a swelling or superfluous flesh [ cf. especially Longinus, iii. 9, κακοὶ δὲ ὄγκοι καὶ ἐπὶ σωμάτων καὶ λόγων . and from Hippocrates in Wetstein, καὶ γὰρ δρόμοι ταχεῖς , καὶ γυμνάσια τοιαῦτα , σαρκῶν ὄγκον καθαίρει .] The allusion therefore is to the training preparatory to a race by which an encumbering superfluity of flesh is reduced. The Christian runner must rid himself even of innocent things which might retard him. And all that does not help, hinders. It is by running he learns what these things are. So long as he stands he does not feel that they are burdensome and hampering. καὶ f1τὴν εὐπερίστατον ἁμαρτίαν . Of the difficult word εὐπερ . Chrysostom gives two interpretations; “which is easily avoided,” and “which easily encompasses or surrounds us”. In the sense of “avoid” the verb περιϊστάσθαι occurs in 2 Timothy 2:16 and Titus 3:9 , but it is scarcely credible that in the present context such an epithet could be applied to sin. The second interpretation has been generally accepted [“circumstans nos peccatum” (Vulg.); “qui nous enveloppe si aisément”; “die Sünde, die immer zur Hand ist” (Weizsäcker)].

Hebrews 12:1 . By a bold but rhetorical figure, the apostle, in the beginning of this chapter, represents the patriarchs, judges, kings, prophets, and righteous men, whose faith he had celebrated in the preceding chapter, after having finished their own labours, combats, and sufferings with honour, as standing round and looking on the believing Hebrews while running the Christian race. He therefore exhorts them to exert themselves strenuously in the presence of such spectators. But, above all, to fix their attention on Jesus, whom also he represents as looking on, because his graces, virtues, and sufferings were far more remarkable, and far more worthy of imitation than those of the ancients, whose great actions he had celebrated. Wherefore seeing we also — Or even we. The apostle joins himself with these Hebrews, not only the better to insinuate the exhortation into their minds thereby, but also to intimate, that the strongest believers stand in need of the encouragement here given; are compassed about — Like combatants in the Grecian games; with so great a cloud — So great a multitude; of witnesses — Of the power of faith; even of all the saints of the Old Testament, who, as it were, stand looking on us in our striving, running, wrestling, and fighting; encouraging us in our duty, and ready to bear witness to our success with their applauses.

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 souls, especially all worldly afflictions and delights; all worldly hopes, fears, cares, and friendships; whatever would encumber us in running, would impede our progress, or draw us from our duty; and the sin which doth so easily beset us — Namely, the slavish fear of men, or of any loss or suffering that may befall us; or the sin of our constitution, the sin of our education, or that of our profession. The original expression is, literally, the sin which stands conveniently around us, or the well-circumstanced sin; which is well adapted to our circumstances and inclinations; consequently is easily committed; let us run with patience — And perseverance, as the word υπομονη also signifies; the race — Of Christian experience, duty, and suffering; that is set before us — And is necessary to be run by us before we can obtain the prize.

Hebrews 12:1 . Περικείμενον ) properly, lying around . The Greeks often use the verb, κεῖμαι , and its compounds, as presently at Hebrews 12:2 , and in various senses; wherefore the word, lie , here, must not be too closely pressed. But the preposition, περὶ , very emphatically implies a cloud almost surrounding us, pressing close upon us: περὶ in εὐπερίστατον , on the opposite side, accords with it.— νέφος ) The word, cloud , is used on account of the great multitude, and the holy velocity with which they go upwards. Clemens Alex. has called it, νέφος ἅγιον καὶ διειδὲς , a holy and pellucid cloud , lib. 4. Strom.— μαρτύρων of witnesses ) ch. Hebrews 11:39 , note.— ὄγκον ) ὄγκος (from ἔγκω , ἐνέγκω ), weight; and when it is applied to the mind, haughtiness, pride . Themistius, Or. 4, says, αὐτοὶ μὲν μέτριοι φύσει εἰσὶν , ἐγὼ δὲ αὐτοὺς ὄγκου ἐμπίπλημι καὶ χαυνότητος , “They are naturally modest, but I fill them with pride and vain conceit.” Hesychius: ὄγκος , φύσημα , ὑπερηφανία , ἔπαρσις , μέγεθος . Such ὄγκος as this is most unfavourable to spiritual moderation , and is very nearly allied to madness.— τὴν εὐπερίστατον ) περίστασις , τὸ περιεστηκός ; thence, by Synecdoche of the species, τὸ δύσκολον , danger, disadvantage: hence εὐπερίστατος . Hesychius: τὴν εὐπερίστατον , τὴν εὔκολον , i.e. very easily putting difficulties in the way , and placing in danger . ואליך תשוקתו , Genesis 4:7 , Sin is around thee (lieth at the door).