Quotes & Notes
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John Wesley's Notes:
Wherefore, being encompassed with a cloud-A great multitude,
tending upward with a holy swiftness.
Of witnesses-Of the power of faith.
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.
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge:
* seeing. Heb 11:2-38
* a cloud. Isa 60:8; Eze 38:9,16
* witnesses. Lu 16:28; Joh 3:32; 4:39,44; 1Pe 5:12; Re 22:16
* let us lay. Mt 10:37,38; Lu 8:14; 9:59-62; 12:15; 14:26-33; 18:22-25;
21:34 Ro 13:11-14; 2Co 7:1; Eph 4:22-24; Col 3:5-8; 1Ti 6:9,10; 2Ti 2:4
1Pe 2:1; 4:2; 1Jo 2:15,16
* and the sin. Heb 10:35-39; Ps 18:23
* and let us. 1Co 9:24-27; Ga 5:7; Php 2:16; 3:10-14; 2Ti 4:7
* with patience. Heb 6:15; 10:36; Mt 10:22; 24:13; Lu 8:15; Ro 2:7;
5:3-5; 8:24; 12:12 Jas 1:3; 5:7-11; 2Pe 1:6; Re 1:9; 3:10; 13:10
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Adam Clarke's Commentary:
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. 257: nefov aspidwn puknon, a
dense cloud of shields; and Statius, Thebiad., lib. ix., ver. 120:
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 centre,
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 traveller, 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. 489: ou ton d' agwna prwton an dramoim' egw. This is not the first
race that I shall run. Id. Iphig. in Aulid., ver. 1456: 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.
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Family Bible Notes:
Compassed about--cloud of witnesses; the reference is to the Grecian
games, in which the racers were surrounded by a vast multitude of
spectators. Here the witnesses are those who have themselves run the
heavenly race and obtained the reward of faith. Every weight; every
thing which can hinder our progress in the way to heaven, just as the
earthly racers lay aside every incumbrance, especially the sin to which
we are most exposed.
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People's New Testament Commentary:
So great a cloud of witnesses. The vast cloud of witnesses named in
the eleventh chapter, who testify by their lives to the power of faith.
Let us lay aside every weight. Every hindrance. The figure used is that
of the Greek foot races in the games then practiced in every province of
the Roman Empire, including Palestine. Before running the runner laid
off every weight.
And the sin which doth so easily beset us. Our besetting sin, whatever
it may be. In the case of these Hebrew Christians the context shows that
the besetting sin was unbelief.
Let us run with patience the race that is set before us. Run the
Christian race with steadfast perseverance.
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Robertson's Word Pictures:
Therefore (toigaroun). Triple compound inferential participle (toi,
gar, oun) like the German doch denn nun, a conclusion of emphasis, old
particle, in N.T. only here and 1Th 4:8. There should be no chapter
division here, since Heb 12:1-3 really is the climax in the whole
argument about the better promises (Heb 10:19-12:3) with a passionate
appeal for loyalty to Christ. Us also (kai hêmeis). We as well as "these
all" of Heb 11:39 and all the more because of the "something better"
given us in the actual coming of Christ. Compassed about (echontes
perikeimenon). Literally, "having (echontes, present active participle
of echô) lying around us" (perikeimenon, present middle participle of
perikeimai, old verb as in Lu 17:2). Cloud of witnesses (nephos marturôn).
Old word (Latin nubes), here only in the N.T., for vast mass of clouds.
Nephelê is a single cloud. The metaphor refers to the great amphitheatre
with the arena for the runners and the tiers upon tiers of seats rising
up like a cloud. The martures here are not mere spectators (theatai),
but testifiers (witnesses) who testify from their own experience (Heb
11:2,4,5,33,39) to God's fulfilling his promises as shown in chapter Heb
11:1. Laying aside (apothemenoi). Second aorist-middle (indirect, from
ourselves) participle of apotithêmi, old verb as in Col 3:8 (laying off
old clothes). The runners ran in the stadium nearly naked. Every weight
(ogkon panta). Old word (kin to enegkein, pherô) like phortos, baros.
Here every encumbrance that handicaps like doubt, pride, sloth,
anything. No trailing garment to hinder or trip one. The sin which doth
so easily beset us (tên euperistaton hamartian). "The easily besetting
sin." There are a dozen possible renderings of this double compound
verbal from eu, well, and periistêmi, to place around or to stand around
(intransitive). The Vulgate has circumstans nos peccatum (the sin
standing around us). Probably this is the true idea here, "the easily
encompassing (or surrounding) sin." In this case apostasy from Christ
was that sin. In our cases it may be some other sin. The verbal
adjective reminds one of the ring of wild beasts in the jungle that
encircle the camp-fire at night each ready to pounce upon a careless
victim. Let us run (trechômen). Present active volitive subjunctive of
trechô, "let us keep on running." With patience (di' hupomonês). Not
with impatience, doubt, or despair. The race that is set before us (ton
prokeimenon hêmin agôna). Note the article and the present middle
participle of prokeimai, old compound (already in Heb 6:18, and also in
Heb 12:2). Dative case (hêmin) of personal interest.
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Albert Barnes' Commentary:
Wherefore. In view of what has been said in the previous chapter.
Seeing we also are compassed 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 amphitheatre, from which they could easily behold
the combatants. See Barnes for 1Co 9:24, seq. In like manner the apostle
represents Christians as encompassed with the multitude of worthies to
whom he had referred in the previous chapter. It cannot be fairly
inferred from this that he means to say that all those ancient worthies
were actually looking at the conduct of Christians, and saw their
conflicts. It is a figurative representation, such as is common, and
means that we ought to act as if they were in sight, and cheered us on.
How far the spirits of the just who are departed from this world are
permitted to behold what is done on earth--if at all--is not revealed in
the Scriptures. The phrase "a cloud of witnesses," means many witnesses,
or a number so great that they seem to be a cloud. The comparison of a
multitude of persons to a cloud is common in the classic writers. See
Homer's Il. iv. 274, xxiii. 133; Statius, i. 340, and other instances
adduced in Wetstein, in loc. Comp. See Barnes for 1Th 4:17.
Let us lay aside every weight. The word rendered weight --ogkon-- means
that which is crooked or hooked, and thence anything that is attached or
suspended by a hook--that is, by its whole weight, and hence means
weight. See Passow. It does not occur elsewhere in the New Testament.
The word is often used in the classic writers in the sense of swelling,
tumour, pride. Its usual meaning is that of weight or burden; and there
is allusion here, doubtless, to the runners in the games, who were
careful not to encumber themselves with anything that was heavy. Hence
their clothes were so made as not to impede their running, and hence
they were careful in their training not to overburden themselves with
food, and in every way to remove what would be an impediment or
hindrance. As applied to the racers, it does not mean that they began to
run with anything like a burden, and then threw it away--as persons
sometimes aid their jumping by taking a stone in their hands to acquire
increased momentum--but that they were careful not to allow anything
that would be a weight or an encumbrance. As applied to Christians, it
means that they should remove all which would obstruct their progress in
the Christian course. Thus it is fair to apply it to whatever would be
an impediment in our efforts to win the crown of life. It is not the
same thing in all persons. In one it may be pride; in another, vanity;
in another, worldliness; in another, a violent and almost ungovernable
temper; in another, a corrupt imagination; in another, a heavy, leaden,
insensible heart; in another, some improper and unholy attachment.
Whatever it may be, we are exhorted to lay it aside; and this general
direction may be applied to anything which prevents our making the
highest possible attainment in the divine life. Some persons would make
much more progress if they would throw away many of their personal
ornaments; some if they would disencumber themselves of the heavy weight
of gold which they are endeavouring to carry with them. So some very
light objects, in themselves considered, become material encumbrances.
Even a feather or a ring--such may be the fondness for these toys--may
become such a weight that they will never make much progress towards the
prize.
And the sin which doth so easily beset us. The word which is here
rendered "easily beset" --euperistaton--euperistaton--does not elsewhere
occur in the New Testament. It properly means, "standing well around;"
and hence denotes that which is near, or at hand, or readily occurring.
So Chrysostom explains it. Passow defines it as meaning, "easy to
encircle." Tindal renders it, "the sin that hangeth on us." Theodoret
and others explain the word as if derived from peristasiv --peristasis--a
word which sometimes means affliction, peril--and hence regard it as
denoting that which is full of peril, or the sin which so easily
subjects one to calamity. Bloom, field supposes, in accordance with the
opinion of Grotius, Crellius, Kypke, Kuinoel, and others, that it means
"the sin which especially winds around us and hinders our course," with
allusion to the long Oriental garments. According to this, the meaning
would be, that as a runner would be careful not to encumber himself with
a garment which would be apt to wind around his legs in running, and
hinder him, so it should be with the Christian, who especially ought to
lay aside everything which resembles this that is, all sin which must
impede his course. The former of these interpretations however, is most
commonly adopted, and best agrees with the established sense of the
word. It will then mean that we are to lay aside every encumbrance,
particularly or especially--for so the word Kai," and," should be
rendered here--the sins to which we are most exposed. Such sins are
appropriately called "easily-besetting sins." They are those to which we
are particularly liable. They are such sins as the following:
(1.) Those to which we are particularly exposed by our natural
temperament or disposition. In some this is pride, in others indolence,
or gaiety, or levity, or avarice, or ambition, or sensuality.
(2.) Those in which we freely indulged before we became Christians. They
will be likely to return with power, and we are far more likely, from
the laws of association, to fall into them than into any other. Thus a
man who has been intemperate is in special danger from that quarter; a
man who has been an infidel is in special danger of scepticism; one who
has been avaricious, proud, gay, or ambitious, is in special danger,
even after conversion, of again committing these sins.
(3.) Sins to which we are exposed by our profession, by our relations to
others, or by our situation in life. They whose condition will entitle
them to associate with what are regarded as the more elevated classes of
society, are in special danger of indulging in the methods of living and
of amusement that are common among them; they who are prospered in the
world are in danger of losing the simplicity and spirituality of their
religion; they who hold a civil office are in danger of becoming mere
politicians, and of losing the very form and substance of piety.
(4.) Sins to which we are exposed from some peculiar weakness in our
character. On some points we may be in no danger. We may be
constitutionally so firm as not to be especially liable to certain forms
of sin. But; every man has one or more weak points, in his character;
and it is there that he is particularly exposed. A bow may be in the
main very strong. All along its length there may be no danger of its
giving way--save at one place where it has been made too thin, or where
the material was defective--and if it ever breaks, it will of course be
at that point. That is the point, therefore, which needs to be guarded
and strengthened. So in reference to character. There is always some
weak point which needs especially to be guarded, and our principal
danger is there. Self-knowledge, so necessary in leading a holy life,
consists much in searching out those weak points of character where we
are most exposed; and our progress in the Christian course will be
determined much by the fidelity with which we guard and strengthen them.
And let us run with patience the race that is set before us. The word
rendered "patience" rather means in this place perseverance. We are to
run the race without allowing ourselves to be hindered by any
obstructions, and without giving out or fainting in the way. Encouraged
by the example of the multitudes who have run the same race before us,
and who are now looking out upon us from heaven where they dwell, we are
to persevere as they did to the end.
{1} "lay aside" 2Co 7:1
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Jamieson-Faussett Brown:
we also--as well as those recounted in Heb 12:11.
are compassed about--Greek, "have so great a cloud (a numberless
multitude above us, like a cloud, 'holy and pellucid,' [CLEMENT OF
ALEXANDRIA]) of witnesses surrounding us." The image is from a "race,"
an image common even in Palestine from the time of the Greco-Macedonian
empire, which introduced such Greek usages as national games. The
"witnesses" answer to the spectators pressing round to see the
competitors in their contest for the prize (Php 3:14). Those "witnessed
of" (Greek, Heb 11:5,39) become in their turn "witnesses" in a twofold
way: (1) attesting by their own case the faithfulness of God to His
people [ALFORD] (Heb 6:12), some of them martyrs in the modern sense;
(2) witnessing our struggle of faith; however, this second sense of
"witnesses," though agreeing with the image here if it is to be pressed,
is not positively, unequivocally, and directly sustained by Scripture.
It gives vividness to the image; as the crowd of spectators gave
additional spirit to the combatants, so the cloud of witnesses who have
themselves been in the same contest, ought to increase our earnestness,
testifying, as they do, to God's faithfulness.
weight--As corporeal unwieldiness was, through a disciplinary diet, laid
aside by candidates for the prize in racing; so carnal and worldly
lusts, and all, whether from without or within, that would impede the
heavenly runner, are the spiritual weight to be laid aside.
"Encumbrance," all superfluous weight; the lust of the flesh, the lust
of the eye, and the pride of life, and even harmless and otherwise
useful things which would positively retard us (Mr 10:50, the blind man
casting away his garment to come to Jesus; Mr 9:42-48; compare Eph 4:22;
Col 3:9,10).
the sin which doth so easily beset us--Greek, "sin which easily stands
around us"; so LUTHER, "which always so clings to us": "sinful
propensity always surrounding us, ever present and ready" [WAHL]. 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). On "run"
compare 1Co 9:24,25.
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1599 Geneva Bible Notes:
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.
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Spurgeon Devotional Commentary:
Heb 12:1-14; 13:16-21
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William Burkitt's Notes:
As if our apostle had said, "Seeing we who are now called forth to
suffer, have before us so many instances of the faithful, who like a
cloud of witnesses have gone before us, and by the help of their faith
conquered all impediments that lay in the way of their salvation, let us
take encouragement from them to quit ourselves like men; and, as runners
in a race, let us cast off all worldly encumbrances which will entangle
us, and avoid all sin, especially a bosom corruption, which easily
besets us, and as easily overcomes us, and let us run with patience and
perserverance the race of Christianity set before us."
Note, 1. That the Old-Testament saints are here called witnesses, a
cloud of witnesses, and a cloud encompassing us; they are witnesses of
this grand truth, namely, that faith will carry believers safely through
all that they may be called to do and suffer in the profession of the
gospel; they are called a cloud of witnesses, partly for their number,
there being a great multitude of them; partly, for their direction,
there being a leading virtue in them.
As there was a cloud that went before the children of Israel to lead
them in the wilderness, so this cloud of witnesses leads us up and down
in the wilderness of this world, in the darkest night of our sorrows and
sufferings; and they are said to encompass us, because the scripture
everywhere encompasses us with them, so that we can be in no suffering
state or condition, be it never so sad, but we may turn our eye, and
behold the face of some or other of these worthies looking upon us, and
encouraging of us to patience and perseverance; and we are encompassed
with such a cloud of witnesses, is a great aggravation of our sin.
Learn hence, That it is a special honour which God put upon his saints
departed, especially such as suffered and died for the truth, that even
after their death they are witnesses to faith and obedience in all
generations: We are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses.
Note here, 1. Christianity is a race, a race set before us by God, and
it is our duty faithfully and perseveringly to run it.
Note, 2. That in order to the running of this race, all impediments must
be laid aside: Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin that doth so
easily beset us.
By every weight, is generally understood the world, its riches, honours,
pleasures, preferments, which oftimes are a peculiar obstruction to
constancy and perseverance in the profestion and practice of
Christianity; this dead weight must be laid aside, by mortifying our
hearts and affections towards the world, for it is inordinate love to
these things which gives them their weight and encumbrance; where this
grace is in its due exercise, the world cannot influence the mind into
any disorder, nor make it unready for its race.
By the sin which doth so easily beset us, some understand all sin in
general, others a bosom-beloved sin in special, others timorousness and
fear in particular; all softness and tenderness, with respect to
suffering. In the original words, rendered easily beset us, some think
there is an allusion to the long garments worn in the eastern countries;
which dangling about a man's heels, unfit him for running a race. As a
man that has a burden on his back,, or a long garment hanging down to
his heels, is altogether unfit to run a race; so unready are they for
the spiritual race, who are entangled with the love of the world, or
with any sinful compliances.
Note, 3. That patience is a grace very necessary to enable a person to
run the race of Christianity which God has set before him. Let us run
with patience the race that is set before us. Such is the inevitableness
and unavoidableness of the Christian's trials, such the multiplicilty
and varity of them, such the long duration and continuance of them, that
there can be no perseverance without patience.
Note, 4. The way discovered, and the means declared, how and by which we
attain this grace and patience, namely, by looking unto Jesus.
Learn hence, That looking unto, and beholding of Christ in looking unto,
and beholding of Christ in his patience, is a notable mean to excite and
stir us up to the practice and performance of our duty.
Note, 5. The special title given here to Christ, he is styled the author
and finisher of faith in his people; he is deservedly styled the author
of our faith, because his holy ordinances are special means of faith,
and his Holy Spirit the producer of faith in the souls of his people,
and his precious blood the purchaser of faith and all grace for his
people.
And he is the finisher of our faith too, as well as the author of it,
inasmuch as he has by his promise engaged to perfect what he has begun,
Php 1:6 "Being confident of this very thing, that he that hath begun a
good work in you will perform it, &c." And inasmuch as he doth by his
intercession plead with the Father for the believer's preservation in
faith, and perseverance in holiness unto the end: I have prayed that thy
faith fail not, Lu 22:32.
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Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary:
An exhortation to be constant and persevere, The example of Christ is
set forth, and the gracious design of God in all the sufferings
believers endured.
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