12:1

So, then: Paul here continues his discussion of the vital quality of faith. (See study note on Heb 10:39.) He has just listed faithful men and women from Abel to the patriarchs, Moses, the judges, and the prophets. This “cloud of witnesses” thus extended from “the founding of the world” in Abel’s day to the time of John the Baptist, who was specifically called “a prophet of the Most High.”​—Lu 1:76; 11:50; Mt 11:13.

a great cloud: In this context, the Greek word for “cloud” may refer to a huge cloud mass that fills the heavens rather than to one isolated cloud. In ancient Greek literature, it was common to use the image of such a cloud mass to describe a densely packed crowd of people. This image fits the context well, since the faithful servants of God in the past have truly been great in number, though the vast majority are not individually mentioned in the Scriptures. (Compare 1Ki 19:18.) With this word picture, Paul describes the great number of “witnesses” as well as the unity among them.

witnesses surrounding us: Paul calls the pre-Christian faithful ones mentioned in chapter 11 of Hebrews “witnesses.” One reference work says that the Greek term for “witnesses” (plural of marʹtys) here “combines several meanings like tones in a musical chord.” Some of those meanings include: being eyewitnesses of God’s acts of salvation (Ex 15:1, 2; Heb 11:29); testifying in support of Jehovah’s holy name, or reputation, and his sovereignty and Godship, as in a court case (Ps 22:28; Isa 33:22; 43:10; Heb 11:27); and bearing witness about God’s purpose and judgments (Heb 11:7; Jude 14, 15). So the witnesses whom Paul has been discussing were not mere spectators; they were men and women of great faith who left behind vivid testimony about the rewards of such a life, motivating Christians likewise to lead a life of faith. These faithful ones not only bore witness about God but also “had witness borne to them” by God that they had his approval.​—Heb 11:2 and study note, 4, 5, 39 and study note; see also Ac 1:8 and study note.

let us also throw off every weight: Here Paul may refer to a feature of the first-century athletic games. (See study note on 1Co 9:24.) The Greek word rendered “weight” means an impediment, something that would hinder a contestant during a race. Many runners in ancient times stripped themselves of any excess weight, such as clothing or equipment, that could slow them down. This word picture shows that servants of God need to lay aside anything that might hinder them as they pursue their Christian course of life.​—Mt 24:37-39; Lu 21:34, 35; 1Ti 6:6-10; 1Jo 2:15-17.

the sin that easily entangles us: The context shows that “the sin” referred to is lack of faith. In the preceding chapters, Paul showed that faith is vital for Christians, and he listed a number of excellent examples of men and women of faith in ancient times. (Heb 10:37-39; 11:1-40) Here he apparently alludes to a runner who strips himself of anything, such as articles of clothing, that could entangle his legs, hindering him or even causing him to fall. Similarly, Christians would need to throw off anything that might cause them to stumble and lose faith.​—Compare Heb 2:1; 3:12, 19.

the race that is set before us: “The race” alludes to the Christian race for life. (For an explanation of the Greek word a·gonʹ used here, see study notes on Lu 13:24; 1Co 9:25.) Paul’s readers likely knew that races were the main event in organized athletic games. Here Paul compares the Christian course of life to a long-distance footrace, which tests endurance. (See study note on Ro 5:3.) All Christians must be determined to keep living in harmony with Jehovah’s standards despite any challenges and temptations. (Joh 17:14; Heb 11:13) They must endure to the end of this race in order to secure Jehovah’s lasting approval and gain the prize of everlasting life.​—Mt 24:13; 2Ti 4:7; Heb 11:6.