Hebrews 12:1, Hebrews 12:12, Hebrews 12:4 KJV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Hebrews 12:1-3

Here observe what is the great duty which the apostle urges upon the Hebrews, and which he so much desires they would comply with, and that is, to lay aside every weight, and the sin that did so easily beset them, and run with patience the race set before them. The duty consists of two parts, the one preparatory, the other perfective. I. Preparatory: Lay aside every weight, and the sin, etc. 1. Every weight, that is, all inordinate affection and concern for the body, and the present life and... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Hebrews 12:1-2

12:1-2 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses enveloping us, let us strip off every weight and let us rid ourselves of the sin which so persistently surrounds us, and let us run with steadfast endurance the course that is marked out for us and, as we do so, let us keep our gaze fixed on Jesus who, in order to win the joy that was set before him, steadfastly endured the Cross, thinking nothing of its shame, and has now taken his seat at the right hand or the throne of God. ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Hebrews 12:1

Wherefore, seeing we also are compassed about ,...., 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... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 12:1

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 - Νεφος μαρτυρων . Both the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 12:1

Verse 1 1.Wherefore, seeing we also, etc. This conclusion is, as it were, an epilogue to the former chapter, by which he shows the end for which he gave a catalogue of the saints who excelled in faith under the Law, even that every one should be prepared to imitate them; and he calls a large multitude metaphorically a cloud, for he sets what is dense in opposition to what is thinly scattered. (242) Had they been a few in number, yet they ought to have roused us by their example; but as they... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 12:1

Wherefore let us too ("we also," in the A.V., is wrongly placed), 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 (rather, endurance ) the race that is sot before us. Christians, still "fighting the good fight of faith," are hero regarded under the image of athletes in the palaestra, contending for a prize. It is a favorite image with St. Paul, not only, we may... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 12:1

The cloud of witnesses. I. THE NUMBER OF THE WITNESSES . From many ages, of both sexes, and in all positions of life. Our attention is called, not merely to a cloud, but to so great a cloud. Birds gather together in clouds. And the cloud may be so great as to compel notice. Whether we shall be impressed by the number of the witnesses depends altogether on the spirit in which we consider them. If we are ourselves of a believing disposition, we shall quickly recognize faith in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 12:1

The appointed struggle. I. THE FIGURE EMPLOYED . The particular form of it is unfamiliar, but the essence is familiar enough, and likely long to be so. We are led to think of the natural man, ambitious to triumph by virtue of physical or intellectual strength. His motive is self-regarding, yet it leads him to a measure of self-restraint; indeed, he will go extraordinary lengths in checking self-indulgence if only he may stand first when the struggle is done. A man may be very low... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 12:1-2

The Christian race. "Wherefore, seeing we also are compassed about with so ," etc. The "wherefore" shows the connection of our text with the preceding chapter. There the writer has exhibited the power of faith in a host of illustrious examples. To the exercise of a like faith in the prosecution of the Christian race he now summons the Hebrew Christians. I. THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS HERE COMPARED TO A RACE . The Christian is represented as a runner competing for the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 12:1-3

The life of faith, and its supreme Exemplar. In these verses the apostle gathers up the practical lesson to be derived from his historical demonstration of the power of faith contained in Hebrews 11:1-40 . The figure of the passage is that of a race which the believer is required to run, the reference being doubtless to the foot-race in the Grecian games. I. THE CHRISTIAN RACE . ( Hebrews 11:1 ) Glance here at the points of analogy, or truths intended to be taught by this... read more

Hebrews 12:1, Hebrews 12:12, Hebrews 12:4 Kjv

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Hebrews 12:1-3

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Hebrews 12:1-2

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Hebrews 12:1

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 12:1

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 12:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 12:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 12:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 12:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 12:1-2

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 12:1-3

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