Letter to the Hebrews Volume 156

 Our Great Cloud of Witnesses of Enduring Faith

Hebrews 12:1 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, KJV

The many cloud of witnesses that the writer of Hebrews now speaks about are those very same persons that he just named for us in the previous Chapter 11 of this Letter to the Hebrews. We born again believers who have witnessed the Great Promise of God the Father have the 'some better thing for us' (Hebrews 11:40) and that is, that we are witnesses to the death, buriel, and resurrection from the dead of our Lord Jesus Christ and because we have been born again by Him, we have the witness of the Holy Spirit of God within each and everyone of us. This reality can still evade us at times because of the world, the flesh, and the devil constantly gnawing at us, groping at us, and growling at us always as we make our way to our heavenly home in this pilgrimage and sojourn we are on now that we have been born again of incorruptible seed by the Word of God (1 Peter 1:23). Therefore, the writer of Hebrews wanted those newly born again Hebrew believers (as well as all of we believers today and in every era and generation after them) to realize, recognize, and remember those who lived before us who walked with the Lord God/Elohim/Adonai/Jehovah/YAWEH by faith all of their days on the earth as great witnesses to us, as the writer of Hebrews declares with these words, "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," (Hebrews 12:1) (KJV). Not only are those believers listed in Chapter 11 of Hebrews for us witnesses on how we too should live a life of enduring faith in Christ Jesus our Lord, but any person that we have known in our earthly lives who we witness live a life devoted to faith in God despite all of the ups and downs they went through during their earthly lives, that could be someones relatives or friends or any believer's life (we have read about from before our time on the earth) such as Charles Spurgen or Adrian Rogers or Adam Clarke or Matthew Henry or John Wesley. When the writer of Hebrews says, 'Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses', he means that these believers are now in heaven, but they have left for us down here on the earth a witness/testimony of lives of enduring faith and examples of how we too can 'walk by faith and not by sight' (2 Corinthians 5:7). The writer does not mean that they are looking down upon us from heaven now as so many people seem to believe. Heaven is a place absent of spiritual battles against the world (seeing that they are now no longer in the world but in heaven), the flesh (seeing that they are now absent from their bodies which were permeated with sin and by sin), and the devil (seeing that the devil has no longer any way of accusing them of sin because they are sinless now (Revelation 12:10) or attacking them in heaven). Heaven would not be heaven if those who are there could see the continued treachery, trials, terror, and turmoil we who love our Lord Jesus Christ still endure as we continue our sojourn on the earth, for they witness none of this evil that continues down here, however, Heavenly Angels do witness all that we endure, so when someone has a vision or visitation from a dead loved one, it could be a heavenly message sent to that person from God the Father, our Lord Jesus, and the Holy Spirit through a Heavenly Angel to encourage and strengthen the person in a difficult time. However, let us remember that the devil can and does masquerade as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14), therefore always test any such occurance and what was spoken with the Word of God. When the writer of Hebrews declares, 'let us lay aside every weight', he means we should put away or put down things in this life that hold us back from doing what our Lord and Savior has commanded each and every one of us to do as individuals (Ephesians 4:11) for the entire Body of Christ which is His Kingdom. The little English phrase 'let us lay aside' is translated by the Greek word apotithēmi which means to put away (literally or figuratively): - cast off, lay apart (aside, down), put away (off). The English word 'weight' is translated by the Greek word ogkos (used this one time only in the entire New Testament) meaning a mass (as bending or bulging by its load), that is, burden (hindrance): - weight. The track athletes like Allyson Felix and Sydney McLaughlin wear the lightest clothing and shoes they can in order to maximize their speed and lay aside any gear that would weigh them down and slow down their running time. So must we brothers and sisters in Christ lay aside things that will slow down our growth in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, so that we can run the race of faith (1 Corinthians 9:24) that we may obtain our crowns to lay at the feet of our Lord Jesus Christ. When the writer of Hebrews declares, 'the sin which doth so easily beset us', he means the sin/sins that creep up into our lives even after our new birth more than others. I used drugs for three (3) decades (half my earthly life so far), yet when Christ came into my life, He broke that chain away from me and it has not been back into my life now for over 17 years (same with drinking alcohol). However, the sin of looking upon, leering at, and lusting after women has not been as easily broken from me as the desire to drink alcohol and do drugs. Also, I use to use profanity as my regular and common/conversation speaking practice and occassionally some of those old words will rear their ugly heads and raise up from my old man out of my mouth. With some people it may be gossip or lying or idolatry, for it is different with each born again son and daughter of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The little English phrase 'which doth so easily beset' is translated by the Greek word euperistatos (used this one time only in the entire New Testament) meaning well standing around, that is, (a competitor) thwarting (a racer) in every direction (figuratively of sin in general): - which doth so easily beset. 'Hence, of a sin which readily or easily encircles and entangles the Christian runner, like a long, loose robe clinging to his limbs. Beset is a good rendering, meaning to surround.' (Vincent's Word Studies)

Here is what Albert Barnes had to say of Hebrews 12:1, "In view of what has been said in the previous chapter. 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 cannot be fairly inferred from this that he means to say that all those ancient worthies were actually looking at the conduct of Christians, and saw their conflicts. It is a figurative representation, such as is common, and means that we ought to act as if they were in sight, and cheered us on. How far the spirits of the just who are departed from this world are permitted to behold what is done on earth - if at all - is not revealed in the Scriptures. The phrase, 'a cloud of witnesses,' means many witnesses, or a number so great that they seem to be a cloud. The comparison of a multitude of persons to a cloud is common in the classic writers. The word rendered 'weight' - ὄγκον ogkon - means what is crooked or hooked, and thence any thing that is attached or suspended by a hook that is, by its whole weight, and hence means weight. It does not occur elsewhere in the New Testament. The word is often used in the classic writers in the sense of swelling, tumour, pride. Its usual meaning is that of weight or burden, and there is allusion here, doubtless, to the runners in the games who were careful not to encumber themselves with anything that was heavy. Hence, their clothes were so made as not to impede their running, and hence, they were careful in their training not to overburden themselves with food, and in every way to remove what would be an impediment or hindrance. As applied to the racers it does not mean that they began to run with anything like a burden, and then threw it away - as persons sometimes aid their jumping by taking a stone in their hands to acquire increased momentum - but that they were careful not to allow anything that would be a weight or an encumbrance. As applied to Christians it means that they should remove all which would obstruct their progress in the Christian course. Thus, it is fair to apply it to whatever would be an impediment in our efforts to win the crown of life. It is not the same thing in all persons. In one it may be pride; in another vanity; in another worldliness; in another a violent and almost ungovernable temper; in another a corrupt imagination; in another a heavy, leaden, insensible heart; in another some improper and unholy attachment. Whatever it may be, we are exhorted to lay it aside, and this general direction may be applied to anything which prevents our making the highest possible attainment in the divine life. Some persons would make much more progress if they would throw away many of their personal ornaments; some, if they would disencumber themselves of the heavy weight of gold which they are endeavoring to carry with them. So some very light objects, in themselves considered, become material encumbrances. Even a feather or a ring - such may be the fondness for these toys - may become such a weight that they will never make much progress toward the prize. The word which is here rendered easily beset' - εὐπερίστατον euperistaton - 'euperistaton' - does not occur elsewhere in the New Testament. It properly means, 'standing well around;' and hence, denotes what is near, or at hand, or readily occurring. So Chrysostom explains it. Passow defines it as meaning 'easy to encircle.' Tyndale renders it 'the sin that hangeth on us.' Theodoret and others explain the word as if derived from περίστασις peristasis - a word which sometimes means affliction, peril - and hence, regard it as denoting what is full of peril, or the sin which so easily subjects one to calamity. Bloomfield supposes, in accordance with the opinion of Grotius, Crellius, Kype, Kuinoel, and others, that it means 'the sin which especially winds around us, and hinders our course,' with allusion to the long Oriental garments. According to this, the meaning would be, that as a runner would be careful not to encumber himself with a garment which would be apt to wind around his legs in running, and hinder him, so it should be with the Christian, who especially ought to lay aside everything which resembles this; that is, all sin, which must impede his course. The former of these interpretations, however, is most commonly adopted, and best agrees with the established sense of the word. It will then mean that we are to lay aside every encumbrance, particularly or especially - for so the word καὶ kai 'and,' should be rendered here 'the sins to which we are most exposed.' Such sins are appropriately called 'easily besetting sins.' They are those to which we are particularly liable. They are such sins as the following: (1) Those to which we are particularly exposed by our natural temperament, or disposition. In some this is pride, in others indolence, or gaiety, or levity, or avarice, or ambition, or sensuality. (2) Those in which we freely indulged before we became Christians. They will be likely to return with power, and we are far more likely from the laws of association, to fall into them than into any other. Thus, a man who has been intemperate is in special danger from that quarter; a man who has been an infidel, is in special danger of scepticism: one who has been avaricious, proud, frivolous, or ambitious, is in special danger, even after conversion, of again committing these sins. (3) Sins to which we are exposed by our profession, by our relations to others, or by our situation in life. They whose condition will entitle them to associate with what are regarded as the more elevated classes of society, are in special danger of indulging in the methods of living, and of amusement that are common among them; they who are prospered in the world are in danger of losing the simplicity and spirituality of their religion; they who hold a civil office are in danger of becoming mere politicians, and of losing the very form and substance of piety. (4) Sins to which we are exposed from some special weakness in our character. On some points we may be in no danger. We may be constitutionally so firm as not to be especially liable to certain forms of sin. But every man has one or more weak points in his character; and it is there that he is particularly exposed. A bow may be in the main very strong. All along its length there may be no danger of its giving way - save at one place where it has been made too thin, or where the material was defective - and if it ever breaks, it will of course be at that point. That is the point, therefore, which needs to be guarded and strengthened. So in reference to character. There is always some weak point which needs specially to be guarded, and our principal danger is there. Self-knowledge, so necessary in leading a holy life, consists much in searching out those weak points of character where we are most exposed; and our progress in the Christian course will be determined much by the fidelity with which we guard and strengthen them. The word rendered 'patience' rather means in this place, perseverance. We are to run the race without allowing ourselves to be hindered by any obstructions, and without giving out or fainting in the way. Encouraged by the example of the multitudes who have run the same race before us, and who are now looking out upon us from heaven, where they dwell, we are to persevere as they did to the end."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.


Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…