The Greatest Hero
“Therefore” points back to the heroes and heroines of faith of the previous chapter, who still surround us as “so great a cloud of witnesses.” But they are not just passively standing by as mere spectators. In fact, we are looking up to them. The Greek term translated “witnesses” is martúrōn, plural of mártus from which we get the English word “martyr” (cf. Acts 22:20; Rev. 2:13; 17:6). A “witness” is superfluous without a testimony to give, and the faithful men and women who have gone on before us bear testimony [marturéō] (Heb. 11:2, 4, 5, 39; cf. Acts 1:8; 22:15) of how a life of faith is to be lived all the way to the end (cf. Rev. 12:11). These worthy examples, preserved in the biblical record, demonstrate that with God’s help it is possible to endure and overcome the harsh realities of this cruel and ungodly world and to be victorious.
The life of faith is likened here to a race: not a momentary sprint but a lifelong marathon.1 The negative requirement for success is to “put away every encumbrance and entangling sin,” like a runner who removes bulky clothing or training weights. We must get rid of anything that will impede our progress. The positive requirement for victory is to “run with endurance” [hupomonēs] (cf. 10:36). This is a pre-appointed race “set before” [prokeímenon] us, not necessarily one we would choose for ourselves. But it is a race that God has determined we need to run.
“Looking unto” or “fixing our eyes on” Jesus is a reminder to not be easily distracted and to maintain the proper focus. Jesus is the “leader, ruler, prince ... originator, founder” [archēgós] (cf. 2:10) and “perfecter, consummator” [teleiōtēs] of faith in that he has taken the lead and set the example, and he is the inspiration and goal of our faith (cf. 5:9).
The joy “set before” [prokeímenon] him means that it was God’s plan (cf. Acts 2:23; 3:18), not a joyful experience but joyous because of the momentous outcome that has impacted countless lives and destinies (cf. v. 11; 2:10, 14-15; Jas. 1:2-3). He “endured” the cross, not avoiding it or running from it or failing to carry through to the end (cf. Matt. 26:53-54). Despising the shameful ordeal (cf. 5:7-8), he went through with it anyway, focused beyond himself and refusing to quit. He has now triumphantly taken his seat at the right hand of God’s throne (cf. 1:3, 13; 8:1; 10:12; Psa. 110:1).
The Greatest Example
“For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin” (Hebrews 12:3-4).
Because of the life, example, and sacrifice of Jesus, we have the inspiration and motivation needed to protect our souls from succumbing to weariness and discouragement. Beyond the men and women of faith of the previous chapter, we have Jesus as the supreme example of enduring faithfulness.
The original readers of this epistle had undoubtedly experienced a difficult life of suffering (cf. 10:32-34), but at least they had not yet faced the kind of maltreatment, bloodshed, and martyrdom described in the previous chapter and what Jesus himself had endured. So why give up in the face of comparatively lesser tests of faith? While “striving against sin” is a constant battle for all Christians of all time, with God’s help and Christ’s example we can overcome the encumbering entanglement of sin and successfully complete the Christian race all the way to the glorious finish line.2
--Kevin L. Moore
Endnotes:
1 Athletic metaphors are common in Paul: 1 Cor. 9:24-27; Phil. 1:30; 1 Tim. 6:12; 2 Tim. 4:7; Acts 20:24.
2 See The Rest That Remains.
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