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,
We also - as well as those, Hebrews 12:11.
Are compassed about - `have so great a cloud (a numberless multitude above us, like a cloud, "holy and pellucid," Clemens Alexandrinus) of witnesses surrounding us:' an image from a 'race,' well understood even in Palestine from its contact with the Graeco-Macedonian empire and its national games. The "witnesses" answer to the spectators pressing round to see the competitors for the prize (Philippians 3:14). Those 'witnessed of' (Hebrews 11:5; Hebrews 11:39) become in turn "witnesses" in a twofold way:
(1) Attesting by their own case the faithfulness of God to His people (Hebrews 6:12), some of them martyrs;
(2) Witnessing our struggle of faith.
This second sense, though agreeing with the image, is not positively and directly sustained by Scripture. It gives vividness to the image: as the crowd of spectators gave additional spirit to the combatants, so the cloud of witnesses, who have themselves been in the same contest, ought to increase our earnestness, testifying, as they do, to God's faithfulness.
Weight, [Hebrew, kabeed (H3515), 'rich:' Genesis 13:2 is, literally, weighty] - as corporeal unwieldiness was, through disciplinary diet, laid aside by candidates for the prize, so carnal and worldly lusts, and all, from without or within, that would impede the heavenly runner, are the spiritual weight to be laid aside. х Ongkon (G3591)] 'Encumbrance,' superfluous weight: the lust of the flesh, lust of the eye, and pride of life: even harmless and otherwise useful things which would retard us (Mark 9:42-48; Mark 10:50: cf. Ephesians 4:22; Colossians 3:9-10).
The sin which doth so easily beset (stands around) us, х teen (G3588) euperistaton (G2139) hamartian (G266)] - sinful propensity (Luther), 'which always so clings to us:' 'surrounding us, ever present and ready' (Wahl): not primarily "the sin," etc., but sin in general, with special reference to 'apostasy,' against which he already warned them-the besetting sin of the Hebrews, UNBELIEF, to which they might gradually give way.
With patience, х di' (G1223) hupomonees (G5281)] - 'in persevering endurance' (Hebrews 10:36: cf. 1 Corinthians 9:24-25).