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

Wherefore - In view of what has been said in the previous chapter.Seeing we also are encompassed 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 amphitheater, from which they could easily behold the... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Hebrews 12:1

Hebrews 12:1. By a bold but rhetorical figure, the apostle, in the beginning of this chapter, represents the patriarchs, judges, kings, prophets, and righteous men, whose faith he had celebrated in the preceding chapter, after having finished their own labours, combats, and sufferings with honour, as standing round and looking on the believing Hebrews while running the Christian race. He therefore exhorts them to exert themselves strenuously in the presence of such spectators. But, above all,... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Hebrews 12:1-11

Discipline in the Christian life (12:1-11)The examples of true faith that the writer has just given should encourage the Jewish Christians to face their difficulties with similar perseverance. They must remove the sin that hinders, and strengthen themselves to withstand defeat. They will be encouraged to endure as they consider the sufferings that Jesus endured and the heavenly reward that he now enjoys (12:1-2).Whatever these Christians may have to endure, their sufferings are small when... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Hebrews 12:1

Wherefore . Greek. toigaroun, a very emph. word of inference; Occurs only here and 1 Thessalonians 4:8 . Resume from Hebrews 10:39 . seeing. &c . = we also having so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us. compassed about = surrounding. Greek. perikeimai. See Acts 28:20 . cloud = throng. Greek. nephos. Only here. The usual word for "cloud" is nephele. witnesses . Greek. martus. See John 1:7 . Whose lives witness to the power of faith. Not "spectators", for then the word would... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Hebrews 12:1

DIVISION VII(Hebrews 12:1-13:25)CHRIST'S EXPECTATIONS OF BETTER SERVICE FROM USThis final division of Hebrews is a sustained exhortation designed to establish wavering Christians more firmly in faith. In preceding chapters, the Christ has already been exalted as the source of available power in believers, and his superiority over anything available to the ancient heroes of the Old Testament has been stressed repeatedly. This great privilege and power should result in a more faithful community... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Hebrews 12:1

Hebrews 12:1. Wherefore, seeing— The word also in our translation of this verse should by all means be expunged. The connection is this: "Seeing, therefore, that we Christians are, as it were, surrounded with this great number of believers, as the spectators and witnesses of our conduct, who at the same time encourage us to follow the example of their faith and patience, that we may be hereafter rewarded with them; Let us lay aside every thing that would hinder us, &c." The word witnesses... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Hebrews 12:1

1. we also—as well as those recounted in Hebrews 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... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Hebrews 12:1

The "cloud of witnesses" refers to the Old Covenant saints whom the writer just mentioned (ch. 11). They are "witnesses" not because they presently witness our actions, but because by their lives they bore witness to their faith in God. [Note: Bruce, The Epistle . . ., p. 346; Wiersbe, 2:322.] The description of them as a "cloud" is an interesting one since they are presently without resurrected bodies. They await the resurrection of their bodies at the Second Coming (Daniel 12:2). The writer’s... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Hebrews 12:1-3

1. The example of Jesus 12:1-3One writer observed a chiastic structure in verses one and two."Therefore we,[A] having seated around about us such a cloud of witnesses, [B] setting aside every weight and every clinging sin . . . [C] with patient endurance . . . [D] let us run the race that is set before us[E] keeping our eyes on Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of the faith, [D’] who for the joy that was set before Him . . . [C’] patiently endured the cross . . . [B’] despising shame . . .[A’]... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 12:1-29

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Hebrews 12:1