Hebrews 12:1 (ASV)

Passage

Therefore let us also, seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, 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,

Nearby Context

Hebrews 12:1 Therefore let us also, seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, 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,

Hebrews 12:2 looking unto Jesus the author and perfecter of [our] faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising shame, and hath sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12:3 For consider him that hath endured such gainsaying of sinners against himself, that ye wax not weary, fainting in your souls.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "therefore", "seeing", "compassed", "great", "cloud", "witnesses", "aside", and "weight". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "therefore" and "seeing", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The next verse adds "looking unto Jesus the author and perfecter...", so "therefore" and "seeing" should be read forward into that movement. In Hebrews context, the local focus is Christ, faith, and discipleship.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "therefore" and "seeing" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.