College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
Hebrews 12:1-3
III.
The perfect and final faith of the Christian dispensation. Hebrews 12:1-29.
A.
Jesus, the Author and Perfector of our faith. Hebrews 12:1-3.
Text
Hebrews 12:1 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, Hebrews 12:2 looking unto Jesus the Author and Perfecter of our faith, Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising shame, and hath sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:3 For consider Him that hath endured such gainsaying of sinners against Himself, that ye wax not weary, fainting in your souls.
Paraphrase
Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore, even we, like the combatants in the Grecian games, having so great an assembly of witnesses placed around us, laying aside every weight of worldly hopes and fears, and cares, and friendships, which encumber us in running, and the sin of apostasy which is so easily committed, let us run with perseverance the race appointed us;
Hebrews 12:2 Looking off from the ancients to Jesus, the Leader and Rewarder of the faithful, Who, for the joy of bringing many sons into glory which was set before Him, endured the lingering agonies of the cross, despising the shame of suffering as a malefactor, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. See Chap. Hebrews 8:1.
Hebrews 12:3 Wherefore, attentively consider the dignity of Jesus your Leader, Who, before He was thus rewarded, patiently endured such calumny, opposition, and persecution from sinners against Himself, that ye may not be weary, being dispirited in your minds through the continuance of the persecution.
Comment
Therefore let us also, seeing
This is done with our spiritual sight. We have just gone through God's memory album to behold the monuments to the saints of God.
we are compassed about
Whatever way we are turned in trials or tribulations, there before us are people who had to suffer like experiences or more. As Israel was under a cloud on the way to Canaan, so are we surrounded by the breath of all time.
with so great a cloud of witnesses
Cloud is a classical metaphor used for a multitude.
a.
Homer speaks of a cloud of footmen,
a cloud of birds, and
a cloud of horsemen.
b.
Tivy speaks of a cloud of footmen.
Witnesses refers to those of Chapter Eleven.
a.
It does not mean that this crowd is watching us.
1.
Our feeble efforts surely would cause them too much anxiety.
2.
A witness is used as a bit of evidence for us, but not necessarily a present observer of us.
b.
We are surrounded by these great examples of faith. In the midst of such a company how can we shrink back?
Some feel that a grandstand of present people is meant, but I think the word great refers back to Chapter Eleven.
lay aside every weight and sin
The figure here is that of a race, which requires light equipment.
a.
The weight would be burdens which delay or impede our progress.
b.
An Olympic competitor strips himself of everything but essential equipment in order to run his best.
c.
The weight carrier will be soon passed by the one who knows enough to lay aside weight and sin.
We hear people say, What is the harm or sin in doing this or that?
a.
Is it a weight, a sin, or a wing?
b.
Does it help or hinder? is a good question.
which doth so easily beset us
Some sins are besetting sins.
a.
A Negro man once called this upsetting sin.
b.
Sin so easily sets in our lives.
Newell believes unbelief is referred to here, but this is not proved, Newell: Sin is as natural to the flesh as it is for animals to draw breath, and the moment you take your eye off Christ you have the certainty of the sin besetting you. The sin will be different with individuals. Each one must lay aside his own peculiar weakness and sins, and run the race.
let us run with patience
Patience is also translated stedfastness. Look at the examples of it.
a.
Moses chose ill treatment with God's people rather than sin.
b.
David proved true in great danger as Saul sought his life.
c.
Paul says, 1 Corinthians 9:24-26: I therefore so run as not uncertainly. Philippians 3:12-14; Acts 20:24; 2 Timothy 4:7-8.
First we had the preparation for the race; now the running.
a.
A race has three stages: preparation, patience and prize.
b.
The figure is a race that requires endurance, for it pictures the Christian's life.
Sin will slow us down in the Christian race.
that is set before us
The course is set for us; we have to run under every condition that befalls us.
a.
The runner does not prepare the course; he runs.
b.
The runner prepares only himself, not the course.
We are not to complain about our race, but rejoice in the privilege to run because of the cloud of witnesses, the reward and the company who run with us.
looking unto Jesus
This is the Goal.
a.
Keep your eye on Jesus as you run.
b.
Many an athlete has lost a race by losing sight of the goal. He is our Pacemaker. This gives us our strength, our second wind.
a.
With eyes on Christ we see the perfect Example and Energy for the Way.
b.
Thayer suggests looking unto in the Greek means to fix the eyes on something.
the Author
The leader is a second translation.
a.
Thayer: One who takes the lead.
b.
In a great cloud of faithful people Christ is the Leader. Here is the great Chief Witness.
Perfecter of our faith
Christ is not only the beginning of our race but the Finisher likewise. This word, perfecter, also rendered finisher occurs nowhere else in the New Testament.
a.
It means a completer, perfecter, or finisher.
b.
It carries the idea of one who brings any plan to its full and perfect consummation.
Who for the joy that was set before Him
Joy in spite of suffering.
a.
Isaiah 53 pictures Him as a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief, yet He was joyful to bring salvation to the world.
b.
Philippians 3 pictures Christ's glad willingness to show the love of God to the world.
A bitter, cruel experience was endured by Him so that He might bring joy into the world.
McKnight says it was not a joy which He was in possession of, but one to be received.
endured the cross
Jesus-' race required some endurance likewise. His race course was set for Him and He faced it.
Angels could have rescued Him. Matthew 26:53.
His disciples tried to change His course. Luke 9:51.
despising shame
He endured the awfulness of the cross, and the shame of sin. He did not rejoice in it, but despised it. This verse lends credence to a later phrase interpreted, endured such contradiction.
a.
Joy was in it, but shame was there, too.
b.
It is impossible for us to understand how Christ was joyful in the saving of those who were His enemies.
c.
While we were sinners Christ died for us.
and hath sat down at the right hand of the throne of God
He ran His course and this was His privilege, to be seated at the side of God. If we run our course, some day we will have the privilege to be where He is John 14:1-4.
for consider Him
You have considered the sacrifice of the heroes of the faithful to obtain an inheritance. That is good. Now consider Jesus who endured for you.
a.
How can we turn away from Him in despair?
b.
How can we turn again unto sin?
Let us study Christ, His attitude in every trial, for He had all the trials.
that hath endured such gainsaying of sinners
Gainsaying is also translated contradiction. The word in Greek is antilogia, opposition.
Observe His opposition.
a.
John 1:11; Came to His own, but they did not receive Him.
b.
Chief priest, scribes, John 12:42-46.
c.
Roman law put Him to death.
To consider Him is to endure, The interpretation, endured such contradiction, is sometimes allowed to show that Christ had contradictions, such as joy and despising shame.
a.
Of sinners indicates that men contradicted and opposed Him.
b.
He was opposed every way He turned.
against Himself
What did they say against Him?
a.
Beelzebub was His power. Matthew 10:25; Matthew 12:24.
b.
He is Joseph's Son. Luke 4:22.
c.
He is a deceiver. Matthew 27:63.
All this may be forgiven. Matthew 12:32.
Some authorities allow it to be read themselves rather than himself.
that ye wax not weary, fainting in your souls
Many are the exhortations to stedfastness:
a.
Romans 8:17: If so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified with Him.
b.
Galatians 6:9: Be not weary in well doing.
c.
Revelation 2:3: Thouhast not grown weary.
d.
2 Thessalonians 3:13: Be not weary.
In times of distress just keep looking to the Lord, remembering His afflictions.
Study Questions
2414.
Describe the nature of the 12th chapter.
2415.
After the heroes of the faith are exalted in Chapter Eleven, what Person is exalted here?
2416.
What conclusion is drawn to open the chapter?
2417.
How does the Christian see?
2418.
What are we to see in this chapter and in this verse?
2419.
What is meant by, compassed about?
2420.
Could we suffer anything not suffered already by someone in God's album?
2421.
Enlarge on the idea of the cloud.
2422.
Has God used clouds in history?
2423.
Discuss the word witness.
What is the word in the original?
Does it mean that they are in the spirit world all about us watching us?
Could it refer to people around us who watch us?
Does the word great help to clarify who they are?
Would the patriarchs be pleased to watch us?
Could we use the word example in place of witness?
2424.
What is the Christian to do with weight and sin?
2425.
What is the difference between weight and sin?
2426.
Do people become encumbered with good things that destroy their effectiveness, such as lodges, clubs, sports, etc.?
2427.
Can good actually be evil in some instances?
2428.
Define the idea of beset us.
2429.
Do we have our own besetting sins?
2430.
Do athletes have problems that are peculiar to them in training that we might apply here?
2431.
What figure of athletics is used here?
2432.
What is implied by running?
2433.
What is an alternate translation of patience?
2434.
Is the race a common figure in the Word of God?
2435.
Will sin give us wings or weight?
2436.
Are there stages of a race that can be lessons for us in the Christian life?
2437.
What does set before us imply?
2438.
Do runners prescribe the characteristics of the track?
2439.
What does the runner prepare?
2440.
Have we had great company in the race of life?
2441.
How important is sight in a race?
2442.
What is the Christian to look to?
2443.
What is our danger if our eye is not on Christ?
2444.
What are the figures used of Christ in this verse?
2445.
What does author mean by Perfecter? Does he mean perfection?
2446.
Can we say that He is the Alpha and Omega of the race?
2447.
Who is the Chief Witness?
2448.
How can He serve us in these capacities?
2449.
Did Jesus enjoy the race?
2450.
Compare Philippians 2:5-11 with this idea.
2451.
In life did He have joy or sorrow?
2452.
When is there joy involved in a race?
2453.
Aren-'t the greatest joys being chosen to race, and the victory?
2454.
Was the endurance of the cross joy?
2455.
Wherein did He have joy?
2456.
Was His course set for him?
2457.
Did anyone try to get Him to look aside? Why?
2458.
Does His endurance challenge you?
2459.
How could he be joyful, yet enduring and despising?
2460.
What is meant by the expression, despising shame?
2461.
Are these phrases examples of a great work that we may not like to do, but the joy of victory that makes up for it?
2462.
What was at the end of the course for Christ?
2463.
In the roll of faithful, who does the author want us to give special consideration to?
2464.
Can we turn away from Him when we consider His love, sacrifice, concern and reward?
2465.
What is the difference between the endurance of Christ and that of the heroes of the faith?
2466.
What phase of Christ's life is to be considered?
2467.
Can we ever face any trials that Jesus didn-'t face?
2468. What do you understand gainsaying to mean?
2469. From what source did His opposition come?
2470.
Were there other sources of opposition to His purpose by persons who thought that they were helpful?
2471.
What groups of men opposed Him who should have been followers?
2472.
What did they say of Him?
2473.
A consideration of Jesus should do what for us?
2474.
Name some other verses that speak of weariness.
2475.
Is there any promise of reward to those who wax weary?