“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, we must get rid of every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and run with endurance the race set out for us” (Hebrews 12:1 NET).
Our look at Hebrews 12:1 continues with an analysis of the weights or encumbrances mentioned in this verse…
“The weight (Gr ogkos—used only here) refers to that which impedes or burdens by weighing one down. For a runner it could either refer to clothing or his own excessive body weight (Hughes, pp. 519–520). Obviously, for the Christian it would involve not wicked but weighty things. It would include anything that could hinder his effectiveness for service.
These are not things which are inherently wrong, but for the diligent runner or the faithful Christian they are an impediment that must be removed. The Christian is not allowed to be selective regarding these weights; he will remove them. He must put off every weight. Whatever does not aid in the race is a weight and must be cast aside.” (1)
Another source adds, “It may well be that what is a hindrance to one entrant in this spiritual contest is not a hindrance to another; each must learn for himself what in his case is a weight or impediment.” (2)
This brings us to the reference to “sin” within this passage. It’s probably safe to say that most people associate the word “sin” with something bad or wrong. However, the Biblical definition of sin also conveys the image of “missing the target,” much like an archer who fails to hit a designated mark. As mentioned earlier in our look at Hebrews chapter nine, sin involves a failure to live up to the perfect standard that God established when He created humanity.
Hebrews 12:12 reminds us that sin is capable of “easily entangling” those who engage in it. We can illustrate this idea with the image of a bola, a weapon used by the indigenous peoples of North and South America. A bola served as a hunter’s weapon and comprised two or more lengths of cord that were tied together. Each cord was then secured with a weight on the other end. A hunter used a bola by throwing it to entangle the legs of his prey and immobilize it.
In one sense, sin is like a bola, for it serves to entangle and incapacitate its victim. Thus, we are encouraged to “…strip off anything that slows us down or holds us back, and especially those sins that wrap themselves so tightly around our feet and trip us up” (TLB).
Image Credit: Pearson Scott Foresman, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
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(1) Edward E. Hindson and Woodrow Michael Kroll, eds., KJV Bible Commentary (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1994), 2575.
(2) The New International Commentary On The New Testament – The Epistle To The Hebrews, F. F. Bruce, General Editor © Copyright 1964, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. Grand Rapids, Michigan [pg. 349]