Hebrews 12:2

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 12:2

Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith ,.... Not with bodily eyes, for at present he is not to be looked upon in this manner, but with the eye of the understanding, or with the eye of faith; for faith is a seeing of the Son; it is a spiritual sight of Christ, which is at first but glimmering, afterwards it increases, and is of a soul humbling nature; it is marvellous and surprising; it transforms into the image of Christ, and fills with joy unspeakable, and full of glory: a... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 12:2

Looking unto Jesus - Αφορωντες· Looking off and on, or from and to; looking off or from the world and all secular concerns to Jesus and all the spiritual and heavenly things connected with him. This is still an allusion to the Grecian games: those who ran were to keep their eyes fixed on the mark of the prize; they must keep the goal in view. The exhortation implies, That they should place all their hope and confidence in Christ, as their sole helper in this race of faith. That they... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 12:2

Verse 2 2.Who for the joy that was set before him, etc. Though the expression in Latin is somewhat ambiguous, yet according to the words in Greek the Apostle’s meaning is quite clear; for he intimates, that though it was free to Christ to exempt himself from all trouble and to lead a happy life, abounding in all good things, he yet underwent a death that was bitter, and in every way ignominious. For the expression, for joy, is the same as, instead of joy; and joy includes every kind of... 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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 12:1-29

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 12:2

Looking unto the Author and Finisher of our faith (rather, the Leader , or Captain , as in Hebrews 2:10 , and Perfecter of the faith , or of faith—faith's Captain and Completer), Jesus; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. The idea is not, as implied in the A.V. and understood by Chrysostom and other ancients, that Jesus first inspires and then brings to its complete result the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 12:2

Looking to Jesus. I. WHAT WE LOOK AWAY FROM . For the idea in the verb is that of looking away from one thing to some other thing. We must always have some object before the eyes of our mind, and very often it is an object that will cause the natural man discomposure, doubt, vacillation in his practice. Looking round on your companions professedly in the path of faith, you may feel that they are doing anything but live the life of faith. You may see some backsliding,... read more

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