Hebrews 12:1, Running The Race
Our Courage, Faith and
Spiritual Demeanor, Should Reflect The Great Heritage, Faith and Courage of
Those Who Set The Example Wherefore seeing
(what we see as important) -
Toigaroun kai nmeiV
- (triple compound inferential participle:
toi, gar, oun).
Consequently, we indeed, are surrounded with a great cloud of witnesses. Their
sacrifice and testimony will not be vain, unless we fail to follow their
example. It is their continuous testimony, and yes, their presence, that is a
witness our action.
Their Continuing Faith and Courage Has Already Been Demonstrated, and They Expect Us To Show The same Example of Courage and Faith - we also are compassed about perikeimenon - Pres Pass Ptc We are continuously surrounded by the testimony of other believers. Will our lives validate the truth and faith they lived by? Cf. Abel in 11:4
Hebrews 11:17 teaches that Abraham offered up Isaac. Now those who went before us, offer us up as a testimony of Christs great work in our lives. The Father set the example when He offered up his only begotten son
Their Conspicuous Witness and Testimony Should Be Characteristic of Every Generation of Believers - with so great a cloud of witnesses, - (what they see)- tosouton nefoV marturwn - they blessed us with their spiritual example, just as Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. 11:20
No wonder Jacob leaned upon his staff and worshiped, after blessing the sons of Joseph. He knew the great purpose of God, and the faith they would have to demonstrate in their lives (11:21).
The Challenge of Our Faith is to Cast Away Anything Ttat Competes With The Running of Our Spiritual Race - let us lay aside every weight, - ogkon apoqemenoi panta - Aor Mid Ptc - cast the thing that burdens, restricts or encumbers our spiritual progress away from us like a plague.
and the sin which doth so easily beset us, - thn euperistaton amartian - that which skillfully surrounds us. The enemy is a military leader who plans, tempts, deceives, etc., surrounding us as if a battle were being waged.
The Challenge is to Follow With Faith and Courage, and Endure To The End of The Race - and let us run with patience (di upomonhV trecwmen - Pres Act Subj.) - Lit. with patience, let us run strenuously, to run a race course with haste, to to exert ourselves, to strive hard, to spend your strength to the point of exhaustion. We are to exert with all our might or effort to overcome, as if getting away from extreme peril.
And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. Matt. 10:38
And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. Luke 9:62
But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. Rom. 13:14
Moses set a great example, found in Hebrews 11:27, when he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. He spiritually looked ahead by faith, seeing the greatness of Christ.
What Is The Race? The Character and Design of The Race is To Win Christ - the race - ton agwna - conflict, fight, contention: a place of assembly, especially an assembly to see athletic games, the place of contest, the arena or stadium, the assembly of the Greeks at their national games; therefore it is the contest for a prize. Cf. He is the rewarder 11:6
The Continuous and Present Nature of The Rest Stresses Its Importance in Eternity - It is Here and Now! It is Every Day of Our Lives! It is set before us continuously! - that is set before us - prokeimenon hmin - Pres Pass Ptc The race is placed in our path. The race is our path! It is constantly in front of us. We are to press toward the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. The goal is obvious and worthy of our attention. It is our spiritual destiny to keep the goal before our eyes. Cf. We seek a country 11:14
This is further described in Hebrews 11:26 when it is recorded that Moses esteemed the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. His eyes were on the reward of faith.
We must determine to run the race. We must determine to set the example for those who follow us. Their lives of faith will validate the greatness of Christ working in us, or our lack of faith and courage will weaken their testimony and the cause of Christ. So, what will it be? How shall we respond? How will our lives be reflected by those who follow?
Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I Cor. 9:24-25
Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain. Phil. 2:16
Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Phil 3:13-14