Hebrews 12:1

“Wherefore, seeing we also are compassed about, etc..], 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 “<461001>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 that word is commonly used; they suffered in the cause, and for the sake of true religion; and they all bore a noble testimony of God, and for him; and they received a testimony from him; and will be…”

“EXHORTATION TO FOLLOW THE WITNESSES OF FAITH JUST MENTIONED: NOT TO FAINT IN TRIALS: TO REMOVE ALL BITTER ROOTS OF SIN: FOR WE ARE UNDER, NOT A LAW OF TERROR, BUT THE GOSPEL OF GRACE, TO DESPISE WHICH WILL BRING THE HEAVIER PENALTIES, IN PROPORTION TO OUR GREATER PRIVILEGES. (Heb. 12:1-29) we also--as well as those recounted in Heb 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…”

“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 combatants; see the notes on 1 Corinthians 9:24-27. In like manner, the apostle represents Christians as encompassed with the multitude of worthies to whom he had referred in the previous chapter. It…”

“Wherefore, being encompassed with a cloud - A great multitude, tending upward with a holy swiftness. Of witnesses - Of the power of faith. Let us lay aside every weight - As all who run a race take care to do. Let us throw off whatever weighs us down, or damps the vigour of our Soul. And the sin which easily besetteth us - As doth the sin of our constitution, the sin of our education, the sin of our profession. Hebrews 12:2”

“12:1-17 The author challenges his hearers to endure in following Jesus, the supreme example of faithfulness, by imitating him in his suffering (12:1-4), by enduring under God’s discipline (12:5-13), and by living in peace with others (12:14-17). 12:1 huge crowd of witnesses: The host of faithful followers of God (ch 11) bear witness to the truth that God blesses the life of faith. • let us strip off every weight: In Greco-Roman literature, a race is a metaphor for the need for endurance in life. Just as extra weight hinders a runner, sin . . . trips us up. It entangles us and restricts us from moving by faith.”

“seeing: Heb. 11:2-38 a cloud: Isa 60:8; Eze 38:9, Eze 38:16 witnesses: Luk 16:28; Joh 3:32, Joh 4:39, Joh 4:44; Pe1 5:12; Rev 22:16 let us lay: Mat 10:37, Mat 10:38; Luk 8:14, Luk 9:59-62, Luk 12:15, Luk 14:26-33, Luk 18:22-25, Luk 21:34; Rom 13:11-14; Co2 7:1; Eph 4:22-24; Col 3:5-8; Ti1 6:9, Ti1 6:10; Ti2 2:4; Pe1 2:1, Pe1 4:2; Jo1 2:15, Jo1 2:16 and the sin: Heb 10:35-39; Psa 18:23 and let us: Co1 9:24-27; Gal 5:7; Phi 2:16, Phi 3:10-14; Ti2 4:7 with patience: Heb 6:15, Heb 10:36; Mat 10:22, Mat 24:13; Luk 8:15; Rom 2:7, Rom 5:3-5, Rom 8:24, Rom 8:25, Rom 12:12; Jam 1:3, Jam 5:7-11; Pe2 1:6; Rev 1:9, Rev 3:10, Rev 13:10 Hebrews 12:2”