We are Compassed About with Witnesses Hebrews 12:1

The writer of Hebrews challenged his readers with the idea that the people of “faith” whom he employed as examples, “obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise”, and it was because “God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect”. In chapter twelve and verse one of Hebrews the writer shares how “we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses” where we read:

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,

The verse begins, “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, ,...”. The writer began with the word, “Wherefore” which means “for which reason, therefore and consequently” “seeing we also” or “even as the writer of Hebrews and his readers” “are compassed about” which means “inclosed, encircled and bound” “with so great” or “with so many and of a great quantity” “a cloud” or “a large and dense multitude or throng” “of witnesses” which means “of spectators or those who after his example have proved the strength and genuineness of their faith in Christ by undergoing a violent death”. The writer drew his readers' attention to the fact that he and they were “encircled with” a large amount of people of “faith”.

The verse goes on to say, “... let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us,”. The writer continued with the words, “let us lay aside” which in Greek is the phrase “apotithēmi hēmeis apotithēmi” which means “let the author of Hebrews and his readers put off, aside or away” “every weight” which means “each, any, the whole, all and everyone of the burdens, encumbrances, protuberances, bulks and masses” “and the sin” or “the missing of the marks, errors, offenses and mistakes” “which does so easily beset us” or “which stands around and thwarts, prevents and retards in every direction”. Because the people to whom the writer referred were great examples of “faith”, he exhorted his readers to “put off and away” any “burdens and encumbrances” as well as “sins” because they “thwart, prevent and retard” the progress of those who believe.

Finally the verse says, “...and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,” The verse ends with the exhortation, “and let us” or “let the author of Hebrews and his readers” “run” which means “be in haste, rapidly propagate, strive and spend strength in performing or attaining something” “with patience” or “with steadfastness, constancy and endurance” “the race” which refers to “the place of assembly like the Greeks at their national games where there was generally a struggle, contest or battle” “that is set before” which means “that is placed in view or sight of, appointed, destined, present and at hand” “us” which refers to the writer of Hebrews and his readers. Once the “weights and sins” are “put off”, the writer of Hebrews and his readers were to “run steadfastly and constantly” their “contests and battles” which were in front of them.

When we meditate upon these words in Hebrews, we think about the writer's reference to “running” in a “race”. (This also bids well for this to be written by Paul the apostle who used references to the Olympic games often in his writings). Those who “run” in a “race” do not wear “weights” or impediments that would slow them down. No, they make themselves “lighter” and equip themselves with clothing and shoes that help them run faster and more smoothly. Those who follow Jesus Christ as their “Savior and Lord” should also “run” their lives as though in a “race”, and the “witnesses” referred to by the Hebrew writer should inspire them to do so. The idea is to willingly strive to be the absolute best we can be, to gain all we may gain and to fulfill all the Lord Jesus desires of us. May we “run” our “races” with all the tenacity of Olympic runners, and may we “put off” every “encumbrance” and “sin” that is certain to slow us down.

Next time the writer shares how we are to be “looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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