Hebrews 12:1 (DRB)

Passage

And therefore we also having so great a cloud of witnesses over our head, laying aside every weight and sin which surrounds us, let us run by patience to the fight proposed to us:

Nearby Context

Hebrews 12:1 And therefore we also having so great a cloud of witnesses over our head, laying aside every weight and sin which surrounds us, let us run by patience to the fight proposed to us:

Hebrews 12:2 Looking on Jesus, the author and finisher of faith, who, having joy set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and now sitteth on the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12:3 For think diligently upon him that endured such opposition from sinners against himself that you be not wearied, fainting in your minds.

Study Lenses

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

The next verse adds "Looking on Jesus the author and finisher...", so "therefore" and "having" 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 "having" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.