“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1 ESV).
On one level, we might associate this passage with the image of a stadium that is filled with heroes of the faith who cheer us on as we run “…the race that God has planned for us” (NLV). However, we should also consider the possibility that these examples are given to us for a different purpose.
For example, if a reckless, alpha-male (Samson), a frightened, reluctant warrior (Gideon), a prostitute (Rahab), a son of a prostitute (Jephthah), and two men who were guilty of pre-meditated murder (Moses and David) can be counted among these members of the “faith hall of fame,” then we can as well. As one source observes, “It is not so much they who look at us as we who look to them- for encouragement. They have borne witness to the faithfulness of God…” (1)
In light of this, we are encouraged to “…throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles… [and] run with perseverance the race marked out for us” (NIV). This illustration was just as familiar to ancient audiences as it should be to modern-day readers of this epistle. Just as today’s professional athletes train with weighed equipment, runners of the first century also trained with weighted attachments that were removed prior to competition.
This athletic imagery should prompt us to consider those spiritual weights that may restrict our growth in Christ today. While such hindrances might take the obvious form of sinful behavior, there may be other possibilities as well. For instance, something that is ordinarily good might easily devolve into something bad if it prevents us from moving forward on God’s agenda for our lives. Jesus provided us with a few such examples in His parable of the sower…
“…they are the ones who hear the word, and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful” (Mark 4:18-19).
Therefore. “‘The Christian runner must rid himself even of innocent things which might retard him. And all that does not help, hinders. It is by running he learns what these things are. So long as he stands he does not feel that they are burdensome and hampering.'” (a) Thus, the word ‘weight’ has the idea of ‘encumbrance.'” (2)
(1) 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. 346]
(2) (a) Nicoll, William Robertson, M.A., L.L.D. “Commentary on Hebrews 12”. The Expositor’s Greek Testament [Hebrews 12:1]. Quoted in, Kenneth S. Wuest, Word Studies in the Greek New Testament (Hebrews 11:1) Copyright © 1942-55 by Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. [Hebrews 12:1]