Prior Book | Prior Chapter | Prior Verse | Next Verse | Next Chapter | Next Book | Viewing NASB and Amplified 2015 | |
NASB | Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who by faith have testified to the truth of God's absolute faithfulness], stripping off every unnecessary weight and the sin which so easily and cleverly entangles us, let us run with endurance and active persistence the race that is set before us, |
Bible Question: In I Corinthians 9:24 what does it mean 'only one gets the prize'. |
Bible Answer: Hebrews 12:1 sheds light on it. In 1 Corinthians 9, Paul is comparing the Christian life to that of an athlete. But an analogy is never perfect in every respect, and one must look for the essentials. The Christian life is like a race, and we must run to win. But it is not a race in which only one receives the prize. There is a certain crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing (2 Timothy 4). It may be useful for us to think of our lives as bleievers in Christ as a relay race (See Hebrews 11 to 12). Many men and women of faith have gone before us and they have passed on a baton to us. They have not received the prize as yet. They are waiting for us, and we will all receive the prize together. “These all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect”. This should discourage competition and division among us. Rather, it should teach us to value the lives of the saints who went before us, and to think of those who come behind us. It should remind us also to appreciate those around us, whose faith we can follow (as in Hebrews 13) and those who need our help (as in 2 Timothy 2). We can accept a baton and pass on a baton, and together we will win the race. I do not know if there were relay races in Paul’s time, or if he would have preferred that analogy. He seems to be searching for the best picture to illustrate the need for discipline and determination. In other letters he uses the farmer and the soldier as examples, and here he uses the athlete. But in the context of the passage, he is emphasizing togetherness, and devotion to the welfare of others (See 1 Corinthians 9:19-23). He is not encouraging selfishness or lonely individuality. Rather, he is focusing on the dedication shown by the athlete. He is asking us all of us together to run like that, to fight like that. The idea, as in Philippians 3, is to keep our eyes on the prize and to go for it. It is not to be the only one that wins. If we are following Jesus, we will all win this race. |
Up | Down View Branch | ID# 145586 | ||
Questions and/or Subjects for Heb 12:1 | Author | ||
|
kalos | ||
|
prayon | ||
|
galations220 | ||
|
ray believes | ||
|
Faithema | ||
|
jacie00 | ||
|
MrsBinGA | ||
|
cpowell | ||
|
Aixen7z4 | ||
|
cpowell | ||
|
Jarryd |