Hebrews 12 SERIES - Verse 1-3

 Commentary of Charles Spurgeon, Adam Clarke & Matthew Henry

 

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about 

with so great a cloud of witnesses, 

let us lay aside every weight, 

and the sin which doth so easily beset us, 

and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; 

who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, 

despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

For consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

Vs.1-3

 

---We can have no doubt about the great truths which we believe, for we are compassed about with a cloud of witnesses. 

---The former chapter gives us the names of many of these glorious bearers of testimony, who all by faith achieved great wonders and so bore witness to the truth of God.

  

*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, Inordinate care for the present life, or fondness for it, is a dead weight upon the soul, that pulls it down when it should ascend upwards, and pulls it back when it should press forward; it makes duty and difficulties harder and heavier than they would be. 

Whatever weighs down our hearts or affections to earth and sense is to be carefully avoided; for no man, with the love of the world in his heart, can ever reach the kingdom of heaven.

2. The sin that doth so easily beset us; the sin that has the greatest advantage against us, by the circumstances we are in, our constitution, our company.....so this, springing from that point of corruption within, called the carnal mind, surrounds us in every place; we are bounded by it, and often hemmed in on every side; it is a circular, well fortified wall, over which we must leap, or through which we must break. The man who is addicted to a particular species of sin (for every sinner has his way) is represented as a prisoner in this strong fortress.

Let us lay aside all external and internal hindrances.

II. Perfective: Run with patience the race that is set before us. The apostle speaks in the gymnastic style, taken from the Olympic and other exercises.

1. Christians have a race to run, a race of service and a race of

sufferings, a course of active and passive obedience.

2. This race is set before them; it is marked out unto them, both by the word of God and the examples of the faithful servants of God, that cloud of witnesses with which they are compassed about.
3. This race must be run with patience and perseverance. 

--There will be need of patience to encounter the difficulties that lie in our way, 

--of perseverance to resist all temptations to desist or turn aside. *Faith and patience are the conquering graces, and therefore must be always cultivated and kept in lively exercise.

4. Christians have a greater example to animate and encourage them in their Christian course than any or all who have been mentioned before, and that is the Lord Jesus Christ....

 

Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith,....The heavenly course is begun under Jesus; and under him it is completed. He is the finisher, by awarding the prize to them that are faithful unto death.

1.] He is the author of their faith; not only the object, but the author.   

2.] He is the finisher of our faith; He is the fulfiller and the fulfilling of all scripture-promises and prophecies; He is the perfecter of the canon of scripture.... 

 

For consider him - Attentively observe and analyze every part of His conduct, enter into His spirit, examine His motives and object, and remember that, as He acted, ye are called to act; 

He will furnish you with the same Spirit, and will support you with the same strength.... He conquered by meekness...

He endured the contradiction of sinners against himself; He bore the opposition that they made to Him, both in their words and behavior.

 

 

The Lord does not wish His people’s hands to hang down, and their knees to become weak, so He administers gracious remedies. 

He bids us consider His own dear Son. 

Q: Shall we faint under our small afflictions when He endured so well under His heavy burdens?