Hebrews 12:1-2 Why seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight… I. THE RACE is one of — 1. Christian knowledge. 2. Christian experience. 3. Christian duties. 4. Christian sufferings. The phrase implies (1) Exertion. (2) Progression. (3) Perseverance. II. THE DUTIES connected with it. Lay aside every weight — sin of every kind — but particularly — 1. Attachment to the company with which formerly connected. 2. Love of the world, and inordinate attachment even to our lawful calling. 3. Improper fear of man; accommodation and compromise of the fear of God. And the besetting sin! III. THE ENCOURAGEMENT afforded. 1. The cloud of witnesses. These are testifiers as well as spectators. 2. Jesus Himself. And He as an example also, "who for the ,joy," &c. Can we be tempted or suffer as He did? And remember, we, too, shall sit down on His throne. (J. Summerfield, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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, |
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