Verse 2
2. Looking unto Mainly as our example, as the next verse shows. Jesus ran the most arduous race of all, and attained the loftiest final seat of all. So that, while we are looking unto him, he is looking down upon us, a most divine witness and spectator of our race. The heroes of chap. xi, we, and Jesus, are all in the same inclusion, Jesus being supreme exemplar and real founder of the whole.
Author… finisher… our faith The word our, as is indicated by the italics, is not in the Greek, but the article the the faith. Hence the meaning is, not that Jesus is the author or inspirer of faith in us; but that he is the beginner and founder of the faith of all the roll, by being their great suffering and conquering example, as described in words following.
Finisher He finished the faith by his own triumphant example, whereby he ascended to heaven and made like faith and like triumph possible to us.
The joy set before him Of being triumphant and glorified head of a glorified body of saints in heaven. Compare Romans 8:29.
Set before him By the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Endured the (or, rather, a) cross The meaning is, not that he endured the, that is, some specially appointed cross, but that he endured such a thing as a cross.
Despising (omit the, which is not in the Greek) shame That is, not simply the one shame of crucifixion, but every thing in the nature of ignominy that could be heaped upon him.
Is set Rather, actively, has taken his seat. From endurance on earth he passes to the throne of heaven, and there now sits. Herein he is the deepest of all sufferers and the most triumphant of all victors; a perfect and supreme example of which we are the little imitators.
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