Hebrews 12 1

Hebrews 12:1 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,

Hebrews 12:1 nkjv

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

Hebrews 12:1 niv

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,

Hebrews 12:1 esv

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

Hebrews 12:1 nlt

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.

Hebrews 12 verses

Hebrews 12 1 Meaning

Hebrews 12:1 exhorts believers to run the Christian life with perseverance, viewing it as an athletic contest. The "cloud of witnesses" refers to the heroes of faith from Hebrews chapter 11, whose lives provide inspiring testimony to God's faithfulness and the power of faith. Encouraged by their example, believers are to strip away anything that hinders spiritual progress, whether it be morally neutral burdens or the specific "sin that so easily entangles," and maintain a steady, enduring pursuit of the divinely appointed path.

Hebrews 12 1 Context

Hebrews 12:1 immediately follows the "Hall of Faith" in Hebrews chapter 11, which extensively chronicles the lives of Old Testament saints who exemplified faith and endured immense hardship through reliance on God. This preceding chapter serves as the foundation for the "Therefore" that begins chapter 12, presenting these heroes as inspiring "witnesses" or testimonies to encourage the Christian readers. The recipients of this letter were likely Jewish believers who were facing persecution, temptation to abandon their faith, or growing weary in their Christian walk. The author employs the metaphor of an athletic contest, familiar in Greco-Roman culture, to exhort them to persistent faith and endurance in the face of such challenges.

Hebrews 12 1 Word analysis

• Therefore (Τοιγαροῦν - Toigaroun): A strong inferential conjunction. It draws a logical conclusion directly from the preceding argument, particularly the vast array of faith examples in Chapter 11. It bridges the inspirational history of faith to the practical demands of living faith.
• since we are surrounded (περίκειμαι - perikeimai): Implies being encompassed, enclosed, or hemmed in. It conveys the image of being in an arena, with spectators all around, lending urgency and motivation to the runner.
• by such a great cloud (τοσοῦτον νέφος - tosouton nephos):
  • Great (tosouton): Emphasizes the immense number and significance of the individuals.
  • Cloud (nephos): A metaphor for a vast, dense multitude. Like a crowd filling the stadium, they create an inspiring and compelling atmosphere.
• of witnesses (μαρτύρων - martyrōn): This is a pivotal term. It does not primarily mean passive spectators looking down from heaven. Rather, consistent with Hebrews 11, these are "witnesses" in the sense of those who bear testimony to God's faithfulness and the power of faith, especially through their suffering and perseverance (like a legal witness). Their lives attest to the validity of the life of faith and encourage believers to run their own race.
• let us throw off (ἀπόθεσις - apothesis): An imperative verb meaning "to put off," "to lay aside," or "to shed." It is a decisive act, often used for discarding old clothes or burdens. In an athletic context, it means removing anything that would weigh down or impede a runner.
• everything that hinders / every weight (πάντα ὄγκον - panta ogkon):
  • Every (panta): Denotes an exhaustive removal – leave nothing.
  • Weight (ogkon): Refers to any mass, bulk, or encumbrance. This signifies anything, even if not inherently sinful, that slows down or prevents a believer from running the spiritual race effectively. This could be distractions, self-sufficiency, unnecessary possessions, or even good things that become priorities over God's call.
• and the sin (καὶ τὴν ἁμαρτίαν - kai tēn hamartian): A distinct category from "every weight." While "weights" might be neutral things that hinder, "sin" is inherently morally wrong.
• that so easily entangles (εὐπερίστατον - euperistaton):
  • Meaning "easily besetting," "easily entangling," "easily surrounding/distracting." It describes a sin that readily wraps around, traps, or hinders progress. This image suggests something like a long, flowing garment that trips a runner, or perhaps a sin that is particularly pervasive or appealing to a person or community. For the Hebrew believers, this might have been the sin of unbelief, wavering, or apostasy – the temptation to give up on Christ.
• And let us run (τρέχωμεν - trechomen): Another imperative, a call to active and energetic participation. It maintains the athletic metaphor of an intense contest.
• with perseverance (δι’ ὑπομονῆς - di’ hypomonēs):
  • Perseverance (hypomonēs): Refers to steadfastness, endurance, and patient waiting under trial, not just passive resignation but active, persistent resilience. It's the disciplined effort required for a long-distance race.
• the race (τὸν ἀγῶνα - ton agōna): Refers to a struggle, contest, or athletic competition. It implies effort, discipline, rules, a specific course, and a goal. The Christian life is presented as a demanding yet rewarding endeavor.
• marked out for us / set before us (προκείμενον ἡμῖν - prokeimenon hēmin): This indicates a specific, predetermined, or appointed course. It implies a divine purpose and direction for each believer's journey. It’s not a self-invented race but one established by God, with its own path, challenges, and finish line.

Hebrews 12 1 Bonus section

The metaphor of the "race" suggests that the Christian life has a starting point, a designated course, specific rules, and a finish line with an associated reward (as implied throughout Hebrews). It is a purposeful journey, not a wandering. The Greek word hypomones (perseverance/endurance) also carries the nuance of patient waiting and steadfast continuance, emphasizing that Christian perseverance is often about trusting God through delays and difficulties, not merely running fast. The warning against "sin that so easily entangles" is especially pertinent given the audience's temptation to abandon faith and revert to their old ways, highlighting the insidiousness of apostasy as a spiritual snare.

Hebrews 12 1 Commentary

Hebrews 12:1 powerfully links the past examples of faith with present action. It is an exhortation to action, fueled by inspiration from faithful predecessors. The "cloud of witnesses" provides encouragement by demonstrating God's consistent faithfulness to those who live by faith, particularly amidst suffering. Believers are not only to be encouraged but also actively participate in a divinely appointed "race"— the life of faith. To succeed in this long-distance run, two essential things must be discarded: "every weight" and "the sin that so easily entangles." The "weights" represent anything that encumbers or distracts, even if morally neutral, while the "entangling sin" specifically points to spiritual hindrances rooted in disobedience or unbelief. The essence of the command is sustained, unwavering perseverance (hypomone) in pursuing God's path, rather than sporadic effort or abandoning the course when difficulties arise. This verse reminds believers that the Christian life is an active, disciplined, and enduring commitment, with a divine goal, pursued in the awareness of God's faithfulness, demonstrated through those who have gone before.