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PARALLEL BIBLE - Hebrews 12:1


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King James Bible - Hebrew 12:1

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,

World English Bible

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

Douay-Rheims - Hebrew 12:1

And therefore we also having so great a cloud of witnesses over our head, laying aside every weight and sin which surrounds us, let us run by patience to the fight proposed to us:

Webster's Bible Translation

Wherefore, seeing we also are encompassed 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,

Greek Textus Receptus


τοιγαρουν
5105 και 2532 ημεις 2249 τοσουτον 5118 εχοντες 2192 5723 περικειμενον 4029 5740 ημιν 2254 νεφος 3509 μαρτυρων 3144 ογκον 3591 αποθεμενοι 659 5642 παντα 3956 και 2532 την 3588 ευπεριστατον 2139 αμαρτιαν 266 δι 1223 υπομονης 5281 τρεχωμεν 5143 5725 τον 3588 προκειμενον 4295 5740 ημιν 2254 αγωνα 73

Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge

VERSE (1) -
Heb 11:2-38

SEV Biblia, Chapter 12:1

¶ Por tanto nosotros tambin, teniendo puesta sobre nosotros una tan grande nube de testigos, dejando todo el peso del pecado que nos rodea, corramos por paciencia la carrera que nos es propuesta,

Clarke's Bible Commentary - Hebrew 12:1

Verse 1. Wherefore] This is an inference drawn from the examples produced in the preceding chapter, and on this account both should be read in connection.

Compassed about] Here is another allusion to the Olympic games: the agonistae, or contenders, were often greatly animated by the consideration that the eyes of the principal men of their country were fixed upon them; and by this they were induced to make the most extraordinary exertions.

Cloud of witnesses] nefov marturwn. Both the Greeks and Latins frequently use the term cloud, to express a great number of persons or things; so in Euripides, Phoeniss. ver. 2l7: nefov aspidwn puknon, a dense cloud of shields; and Statius, Thebiad., lib. ix., ver. c20: jaculantum nubes, a cloud of spearmen. The same metaphor frequently occurs.

Let us lay aside every weight] As those who ran in the Olympic races would throw aside every thing that might impede them in their course; so Christians, professing to go to heaven, must throw aside every thing that might hinder them in their Christian race. Whatever weighs down our hearts or affections to earth and sense is to be carefully avoided; for no man, with the love of the world in his heart, can ever reach the kingdom of heaven.

The sin which doth so easily beset] euperistaton amartian? The well circumstanced sin; that which has every thing in its favour, time, and place, and opportunity; the heart and the object; and a sin in which all these things frequently occur, and consequently the transgression is frequently committed. euperistatov is derived from eu, well, peri, about, and isthmi, I stand; the sin that stands well, or is favourably situated, ever surrounding the person and soliciting his acquiescence. What we term the easily besetting sin is the sin of our constitution, the sin of our trade, that in which our worldly honour, secular profit, and sensual gratification are most frequently felt and consulted. Some understand it of original sin, as that by which we are enveloped in body, soul, and spirit. Whatever it may be, the word gives us to understand that it is what meets us at every turn; that it is always presenting itself to us; that as a pair of compasses describe a circle by the revolution of one leg, while the other is at rest in the center, so this, springing from that point of corruption within, called the carnal mind, surrounds us in every place; we are bounded by it, and often hemmed in on every side; it is a circular, well fortified wall, over which we must leap, or through which we must break. The man who is addicted to a particular species of sin (for every sinner has his way) is represented as a prisoner in this strong fortress.

In laying aside the weight, there is an allusion to the long garments worn in the eastern countries, which, if not laid aside or tucked up in the girdle, would greatly incommode the traveler, and utterly prevent a man from running a race. The easily besetting sin of the Hebrews was an aptness to be drawn aside from their attachment to the Gospel, for fear of persecution.

Let us run with patience the race] trecwmen ton prokeimenon hmin agwna? Let us start, run on, and continue running, till we get to the goal.

This figure is a favourite among the Greek writers; so Euripides, Alcest,, ver. 4lxx19: ou ton d agwna prwton an dramoim egw? This is not the first race that I shall run. Id. Iphig. in Aulid., ver. 14l6: deinouv agwnav dia se keinon dei dramein? He must run a hard race for thee. This is a race which is of infinite moment to us: the prize is ineffably great; and, if we lose it, it is not a simple loss, for the whole soul perishes.


John Gill's Bible Commentary

Ver. 1. Wherefore, seeing we also are compassed about , etc..], As the Israelites were encompassed with the pillar of cloud, or with the clouds of glory in the wilderness, as the Jews say; (see Gill on 1 Corinthians 10:1), to which there may be an allusion, here, since it follows, with so great a cloud of witnesses ; or martyrs, as the Old Testament saints, the instances of whose faith and patience are produced in the preceding chapter: these, some of them, were martyrs in the sense in which that word is commonly used; they suffered in the cause, and for the sake of true religion; and they all bore a noble testimony of God, and for him; and they received a testimony from him; and will be hereafter witnesses for, or against us, to whom they are examples of the above graces: and these may be compared to a cloud, for the comfortable and reviving doctrines which they dropped; and for their refreshing examples in the heat of persecution; and for their guidance and direction in the ways of God; and more especially for their number, being like a thick cloud, and so many, that they compass about on every side, and are instructive every way.

Hence the following things are inferred and urged, let us lay aside every weight ; or burden; every sin, which is a weight and burden to a sensible sinner, and is an hinderance in running the Christian race; not only indwelling sin, but every actual transgression, and therefore to be laid aside; as a burden, it should be laid on Christ; as a sin, it should be abstained from, and put off, with respect to the former conversation: also worldly cares, riches, and honours, when immoderately pursued, are a weight depressing the mind to the earth, and a great hinderance in the work and service of God, and therefore to be laid aside; not that they are to be entirely rejected, and not cared for and used, but the heart should not be set upon them, or be over anxious about them: likewise the rites and ceremonies of Moses's law were a weight and burden, a yoke of bondage, and an intolerable one, and with which many believing Jews were entangled and pressed, and which were a great hinderance in the performance of evangelical worship; wherefore the exhortation to these Hebrews, to lay them aside, was very proper and pertinent, since they were useless and incommodious, and there had been a disannulling of them by Christ, because of their weakness and unprofitableness. Some observe, that the word here used signifies a tumour or swelling; and so may design the tumour of pride and vain glory, in outward privileges, and in a man's own righteousness, to which the Hebrews were much inclined; and which appears in an unwillingness to stoop to the cross, and bear afflictions for the sake of the Gospel; all which is a great enemy to powerful godliness, and therefore should be brought down, and laid aside. The Arabic version renders it, every weight of luxury: all luxurious living, being prejudicial to real religion: and the sin which doth so easily beset us ; the Arabic version renders it, easy to be committed; meaning either the corruption of nature in general, which is always present, and puts upon doing evil, and hinders all the good it can; or rather some particular sin, as what is commonly called a man's constitution sin, or what he is most inclined to, and is most easily drawn into the commission of; or it may be the sin of unbelief is intended, that being opposite to the grace of faith, the apostle had been commending, in the preceding chapter, and he here exhorts to; and is a sin which easily insinuates itself, and prevails, and that sometimes under the notion of a virtue, as if it would be immodest, or presumptuous to believe; the arguments for it are apt to be readily and quickly embraced; but as every weight, so every sin may be designed: some reference may be had to ( Lamentations 1:14) where the church says, that her transgressions were wreathed, wgrty , wreathed themselves, or wrapped themselves about her. The allusion seems to be to runners in a race, who throw off everything that encumbers, drop whatsoever is ponderous and weighty, run in light garments, and lay aside long ones, which entangle and hinder in running, as appears from the next clause, or inference. And let us run with patience the race that is set before us . The stadium, or race plot, in which the Christian race is run, is this world; the prize run for is the heavenly glory; the mark to direct in it, is Christ; many are the runners, yet none but the overcomers have the prize; which being held by Christ, is given to them: this race is set before the saints; that is, by God; the way in which they are to run is marked out by him in his word; the troubles they shall meet with in it are appointed for them by him, in his counsels and purposes; the mark to direct them is set before them in the Gospel, even Jesus, the author and finisher of faith, whom they are to look unto; the length of their race is fixed for them, or how far, and how long they shall run; and the prize is determined for them, and will be given them, and which is held out for their encouragement, to have respect unto: and it becomes all the saints, and belongs to each, and everyone of them, to run this race; which includes both doing and suffering for Christ; it is a motion forward, a pressing towards the mark for the prize, a going from strength to strength, from one degree of grace to another; and to it swiftness and agility are necessary; and when it is performed aright, it is with readiness, willingness, and cheerfulness: it requires strength and courage, and a removal of all impediments, and should be done with patience; which is very necessary, because of the many exercises in the way; and because of the length of the race; and on account of the prize to be enjoyed, which is very desirable: the examples of the saints, and especially Christ, the forerunner, should move and animate unto it.


Matthew Henry Commentary

Verses 1-11 - The persevering obedience of faith in Christ, was the race set befor the Hebrews, wherein they must either win the crown of glory, or have everlasting misery for their portion; and it is set before us. By the sin that does so easily beset us, understand that sin to which we ar most prone, or to which we are most exposed, from habit, age, or circumstances. This is a most important exhortation; for while a man' darling sin, be it what it will, remains unsubdued, it will hinder his from running the Christian race, as it takes from him every motive for running, and gives power to every discouragement. When weary and fain in their minds, let them recollect that the holy Jesus suffered, to save them from eternal misery. By stedfastly looking to Jesus, their thoughts would strengthen holy affections, and keep under their carna desires. Let us then frequently consider him. What are our littl trials to his agonies, or even to our deserts? What are they to the sufferings of many others? There is a proneness in believers to gro weary, and to faint under trials and afflictions; this is from the imperfection of grace and the remains of corruption. Christians shoul not faint under their trials. Though their enemies and persecutors ma be instruments to inflict sufferings, yet they are Divin chastisements; their heavenly Father has his hand in all, and his wis end to answer by all. They must not make light of afflictions, and be without feeling under them, for they are the hand and rod of God, an are his rebukes for sin. They must not despond and sink under trials nor fret and repine, but bear up with faith and patience. God may le others alone in their sins, but he will correct sin in his ow children. In this he acts as becomes a father. Our earthly parent sometimes may chasten us, to gratify their passion, rather than to reform our manners. But the Father of our souls never willingly grieve nor afflicts his children. It is always for our profit. Our whole lif here is a state of childhood, and imperfect as to spiritual things therefore we must submit to the discipline of such a state. When we come to a perfect state, we shall be fully reconciled to all God' chastisement of us now. God's correction is not condemnation; the chastening may be borne with patience, and greatly promote holiness Let us then learn to consider the afflictions brought on us by the malice of men, as corrections sent by our wise and gracious Father, for our spiritual good.


Greek Textus Receptus


τοιγαρουν
5105 και 2532 ημεις 2249 τοσουτον 5118 εχοντες 2192 5723 περικειμενον 4029 5740 ημιν 2254 νεφος 3509 μαρτυρων 3144 ογκον 3591 αποθεμενοι 659 5642 παντα 3956 και 2532 την 3588 ευπεριστατον 2139 αμαρτιαν 266 δι 1223 υπομονης 5281 τρεχωμεν 5143 5725 τον 3588 προκειμενον 4295 5740 ημιν 2254 αγωνα 73

Vincent's NT Word Studies

1. Therefore (toigaroun). An emphatic particle, strongly affirming the facts on which the following exhortation is based.

We also are compassed (kai hmeiv). 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 (tosouton econtev perikeimenon hmin nefov marturwn). Lit. having so great a cloud of witnesses lying around us. Nefov 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 nefelh, which is a detached and sharply outlined cloud. Nefov 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, xxiii. "A cloud of cumbrous gnattes doe him molest."

Milton, Par. L. i. 340:

"A pitchy cloud of locusts."

Witnesses (marturwn) 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 (ogkon). N.T.o , o LXX. 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 (kai thn euperistaton amartian). Kai adds to the general encumbrance a specific encumbrance or hindrance. Euperistatov N.T.o , o LXX, o Class. From euj readily, deftly, cleverly, and periistasqai to place itself round. Hence, of a sin which readily or easily encircles and entangles the Christian runner, like a long, loose robe clinging to his limbs. Beset is a good rendering, meaning to surround. In earlier English especially of surrounding crowns, etc., with jewels. So Gower, Conf. Amos i. 127.

"With golde and riche stones beset." Shakespeare, Two Gent. Ver. v. 3: "The thicket is beset; he cannot 'scape."

The sin may be any evil propensity. The sin of unbelief naturally suggests itself here.

With patience (di upomonhv). Upomonh includes both passive endurance and active persistence. See on 2 Pet. i. 6, and Jas. v. 7. For this use of dij with, see on ch. ix. 11.

The race (ton agwna). Instead of a specific word for race (dromov), the general term contest is used. For prokeimenon set before, see on ch. vi. 18.



CHAPTERS: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13
VERSES: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29

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