Art Toombs Ministries
Online Bible Commentary
Fix Your Eyes on Jesus
Hebrews 12:1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 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 has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. (NKJV)
The early Eastern Church (Dionysius and Clement, both of Alexandria), from the second century, claimed Paul was the writer of Hebrews. The Western Church later agreed.
Luke translated the letter to the Hebrews into Greek, according to Clement in the second century. Luke was with Paul during his second Roman imprisonment and was his amanuensis during Paul’s final days (2 Timothy 4:11).
It is likely that Luke was also Paul’s amanuensis for this letter. My conclusion is that this was Paul’s last writing, written in late 67-early 68 A.D.
In this letter, Paul is writing to Hebrews who have converted to Christianity from Judaism. Paul is writing to these Hebrew Christians to encourage them to remain steadfast in their faith and not to return to Judaism. They are being persecuted by the Jews, whose faith they have renounced.
The Christian converts were ostracized by their communities and families, at the very least. There was significant pressure placed upon them to return to the Jewish faith.
In this passage, Paul uses athletic events as analogies. He often used such analogies.
Paul writes of running the race, and struggling with defeating sin. Although Paul chose to remain anonymous, those to whom he wrote knew him very well, as he did them (Hebrews 13:18-23).
After being rejected by the Gentiles (2 Ti 1:15, 4:14-17), Paul may well have turned back to ministering to his own people, the Jews in Jerusalem who had converted to Christianity. They were under intense pressure from the Jews, as evidenced by the plot to kill Paul that was hatched some ten years earlier in Jerusalem.
Paul begins by writing “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses” (v. 1a). This is a reference to the previous chapter, which recognized the men and women of God who had exhibited great faith.
The word translated “witnesses” (v. 1a) is the Greek word “martys”, which is better translated as “martyrs”. This is not a reference to the Christian martyrs witnessing the events of the time, as that ability is not supported by Scripture.
Paul continues with “let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” (v. 1b).
Paul is using the previously cited examples of great faith by the martyrs in order to encourage the Hebrew Christians to throw off everything that hinders, and the sin that so easily entangles, and run with perseverance the race marked out.
The literal Greek translation of this verse is “having laid aside every weight and the easily surrounding sin, through patience let us also run the race set before us.” Paul is urging them to copy the example of the people of great faith.
The Hebrew Christians are to lay aside sin and meet the challenge before them to remain faithful. Their faith should be one of patience and endurance.
Next, Paul writes “looking unto Jesus” (v. 2a). So, they are to fix their eyes on Jesus. By keeping their focus on Jesus, the Hebrew Christians can remain faithful.
Paul continues with “the author and finisher of our faith” (v. 2b). Jesus is the author and perfecter of our faith. He should be the One upon whom we keep our focus.
Paul writes “who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross despising the shame” (v. 2c). Jesus endured the cross, and scorned the shame, to achieve the joy of serving His Father.
Paul continues “and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (v. 2d). After completing His task, Jesus returned to Heaven and sat down at the right hand of God the Father, celebrating His victory. He is worthy of our forever focus.
After all the examples given of faithful men, the writer caps off chapter eleven by giving us the ultimate example of faith. We are to look to all of the faithful men of God, but our focus should be on the greatest example of faith, Jesus Christ.
Next, Paul writes “For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself” (v. 3a). He endured intense opposition from sinful men, as the greatest example for us to follow.
Paul continues “lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls” (v. 3b). We should follow His example so that we will not grow weary and lose heart.
Throughout this passage, Paul was intending to encourage those first century Christians who faced struggles. This passage should also be an encouragement to Christians today.
Our focus should always be on Jesus. He is our author and perfecter.
Fix your eyes on Jesus and He will help you to lay aside the sin that is always surrounding you.
Fix your eyes on Jesus and He will help you to run the race, and not grow weary or lose heart.