One writer posited a chiastic structure for verses one and two.
"Therefore we,
[A] having seated around aboutus such a cloud of witnesses,
[B] setting asideevery weight and every clinging sin. . .
[C] with patient endurance . . .
[D] let us run the race that is set before us
[E] keeping our eyes on Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of the faith,
[D'] who for the
- j
[C'] patiently endured the cross . . .
[B'] despising shame. . .
[A'] and is seatedat the right hand of the throne of God."378
This structure focuses attention on the central element, Jesus, rather than on the first element, us.379
"It seems likely that here [in 12:1-2], as in 1, 3 [i.e., 1:3], the author intentionally used poetic language to highlight and emphasize the significance of his theme: Jesus Christ is better.' Moreover, the balance and rhythm of the language make the text more esthetically attractive and provide a high degree of emotive impact. Thus the interpretation of the discourse by the intrusion of poetic language was bound to carry considerable impactand appeal . . ."380
One writer argued that Hebrews 11:1-12:2 is an encomium, a literary work in praise of someone or something, on Jesus.381Another saw this section as an encomium on faith.382
12:1 The "cloud of witnesses"refers to the Old Covenant saints whom the writer just mentioned (ch. 11). They are "witnesses"not because they presently witness our actions, but because by their lives they bore witness to their faith in God.383The writers of the New Testament never used the Greek word translated "witnesses"(martys) in the sense of spectators.384The description of them as a "cloud"is an interesting one since they are presently without resurrected bodies. They await the resurrection of their bodies at the Second Coming (Dan. 12:2). The writer's point was that we have many good examples of people who faithfully trusted God in the past. Nevertheless the word "witness"does also implya spectator (cf. 10:28; 1 Tim. 6:12). Perhaps it is best to understand the writer's figure as meaning that faithful witnesses to the faith are watching us as we run the race.385
In view of this encouragement we should lay aside everything that impedes our running the Christian race successfully (cf. 1 Cor. 9:24; 2 Tim. 4:7-8). Popular moral philosophers who spoke on the streets of every Hellenistic community in the first century commonly used an athletic contest as an illustration of life.386"Encumbrances"are weights that may not be sins but nevertheless make perseverance difficult.
"Some one is recorded to have asked whether a certain thing would do a person harm, and the reply was given, No harm, if you do not wish to win.'"387
We should also lay aside sin. "The sin"that the writer warned his readers against especially in Hebrews is unbelief, apostasy. In view of the immediately preceding context, it might refer to discouragement. However many different kinds of sin can trip us up, and we should avoid all sin for this reason.
"This might have reference to the love of wealth, attachment to the world, preoccupation with earthly interests, or self-importance."388
The reason for this self-discipline is so we can keep on running the Christian race effectively. The writer conceived of the Christian life as an endurance race, a marathon, not a 50-yard dash.
". . . the real test of life is the steady, normal progress of the soul--'not paroxysms of effort but steady endurance.'"389
12:2-3 As a runner keeps looking toward his or her goal, so we should keep looking to Jesus, not primarily to the other witnesses (v. 1). When we take our eyes of faith off Jesus, we begin to sink, like Peter (Matt. 14:22-33). Jesus should be our primary model when it comes to persevering. The writer used the simple personal name "Jesus"to accent our Lord's humanity, especially His endurance of pain, humiliation, and the disgrace of the cross.
He is our "author"(lit. file leader, captain, pioneer; 2:10). It was by looking to Him in faith that we were saved. Jesus set the example of living by faith for us, the evidence of His faith being his prayers. Jesus perfected faith in the sense that He finished His course of living by faith successfully (cf. 2:13).
"As the perfecter of faith' Jesus is the one in whom faith has reached its perfection."390
"He alone is the source of hope and help in their time of need. Looking to Him in faith and devotion is the central theological and practical message of Hebrews."391
The joy of the prospect of His reward, namely, His victory over death, glorification, inheritance, and reign motivated Him, too (1:9, 13-14; 8:1; 10:12). This is the only occurrence of "cross"outside the Gospels and the Pauline Epistles, and its presence here stresses the shame associated with Jesus' crucifixion. What we look forward to is very similar to what Jesus anticipated. Such a prospect will help us endure suffering and despise the shame involved in living faithful to God.
12:3 The readers should think upon Jesus so they might not grow tired of persevering and lose heart. Meditation on Jesus and the cross encourage us to continue to follow God's will faithfully.
"The clear implication for the audience is that if they were to relinquish their commitment to Christ under the pressure of persistent opposition they would express active opposition against themselves (as in 6:6!), just as did Jesus' tormentors [cf. 10:38-39]."392
