Page 94 - Hebrews- Student Textbook

many good things—anything that causes them to neglect the things for which they are gifted and called
by God.

"run" This is a PRESENT ACTIVE SUBJUNCTIVE, which speaks of a continual action but with a note of
contingency. This surely fits the overall emphasis of the four warnings directed to Jewish believers who
were "shrinking back" from Christ and the gospel.

"endurance" This chapter may be a rabbinical play on the word "endure" (NOUN, cf. 10:32,36), which
means "voluntary, aggressive (ACTIVE), patient (PASSIVE) endurance." The VERB is in vv. 2,3, and 7 and the
NOUN in v. 1. This is the theme of the book and especially these last few chapters—hang in there!

"race" This Greek word agōna is an athletic term from which we get the English term "agony." It is often
used as a set course for a race.

"that is set before us" This is a PRESENT PASSIVE (deponent) PARTICIPLE. The Christian life is often
characterized as an athletic contest (cf. 1 Cor. 9:25; Phil. 1:30; 2 Tim. 2:5; racing, 1 Cor. 9:24,26; Gal. 2:2;
5:7; Phil. 2:16; boxing, 1 Cor. 9:26; 1 Tim. 1:18; 6:12; 2 Tim. 4:7; wrestling, Eph. 6:12).

12:2 "fix our eyes on Jesus" This is a PRESENT ACTIVE PARTICIPLE meaning "looking intently." Notice that we
watch Him—not the crowd, not the circumstances, not ourselves. This may be figurative of constantly
focusing on the new covenant (the gospel).

NASB "the author and perfecter of faith"
NKJV "the author and finisher of our faith"
NRSV "the pioneer and perfecter of our faith"
TEV "on whom our faith depends from beginning to end"
NJB "who leads us in our faith and brings it to perfection"

This first term (archēgos) is used in 2:10 of Jesus as the author of salvation; in Acts 3:15 of Jesus as the
Prince (author) of life; in Acts 5:31 of Jesus as the Prince (leader) and Savior.

The second word (teleiōtēs) means "the one who completes and perfects." It refers to Jesus' total
completion of God's assigned redemptive task. In a sense it is like the title Alpha and Omega (cf. Rev.
1:8), the First and the Last (cf. Rev. 1:17; 2:8). This author uses the concept of "perfecting" many times in
the book (cf. 2:10; 5:9; 6:1; 7:11,19,28; 9:9; 10:1,14; 11:40; and here).
"faith" Pistis can refer to
1. A personal faith relationship with Christ
2. A life of faithful Christlikeness
3. Christian doctrine (cf. Jude vv. 3,20)

Christianity is a person to be welcomed, truth about that person to be believed (the gospel), and a life
like that person's to be lived (i.e., Christlikeness)

12:3 "For consider Him who has endured against Himself

so that you will not grow weary and lose heart" These are athletic terms for runners panting and
collapsing after a hard run race. Our author is encouraging these Jewish believers to continue even
though it may be difficult. This warning is continued in vv. 15, 25-29.
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