Page 93 - Hebrews- Student Textbook

2. Someone who shares what they have seen, known, or experienced
3. Someone who has been killed (martyred) for their faith in Christ
4. Metaphorical expression of the examples of faith in chapter 11

Because of the context of chapter 11 it seems best to view this verse not as teaching that "they" watch
us, but that we are to look to their lives of faithfulness as examples to follow (NASB Study Bible, p.
1798). This verse is often used, I think, incorrectly, to support the view that our believing-dead loved
ones in heaven observe our lives on earth. Believers will surely know each other and be reunited in
fellowship on Resurrection Day, but the Bible is silent about a reunion at death or their being able to
view the life of loved ones on earth.

Here Ellingworth and Nida, make the opposite interpretation, "The thought is that the Old Testament
heroes are watching how the writer of Hebrews and his readers run their race in the Christian life, since
their own salvation is linked with that of Christians (11.40)."
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"let us" This is translated as a SUBJUNCTIVE, but the first VERBAL is a PRESENT ACTIVE PARTICIPLE. The
SUBJUNCTIVE does not appear until "let us run."

Notice what believers should do in light of the faithful OT witnesses.
1. Lay aside every encumbrance, v. 1
2. Lay aside every sin which so easily entangles us, v. 1
3. Run the race with endurance, v. 1
4. Fixing our eyes on Jesus, v. 2

NASB "every encumbrance"
NKJV, NRSV "every weight"
TEV "everything that gets in the way"
NJB "everything that weighs us down"

This term is literally "fat" or "weight." Those who participated in the Greek athletic contests ran almost
naked. It is used
1. Literally of body fat
2. of athletic training weights
3. Metaphorically in Greek literature as pride
4. Philosophically as be careful of "the good" as the enemy of "the best"

"the sin"

NASB "so easily entangles us"
NKJV "so easily ensnares us"
NRSV, NJB "that clings too closely"
TEV "which holds on to us so tightly"

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The ancient papyrus manuscript P has "easily distracts." This reference is to anything that trips up the
believer in the race of life. It may be a recurrent sin, an out-of-balance desire or even the presence of

61 Ellingworth and Nida, The Handbook on The Letters to the Hebrews, United Bible Society, (p. 287).
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