What does Hebrews 12:1 mean?
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance the race set out for us.”
Surrounded by a ‘cloud of witnesses,’ we are urged to throw off every hindrance and sin and run with perseverance the race God has set before us.
The ‘witnesses’ are the faithful of Hebrews 11, whose lives encourage us. Life is pictured as a long-distance race requiring endurance.
We ‘throw off’ weights and entangling sin to run freely, keeping our eyes (next verse) on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith.
What are the ‘weights’ to throw off?
Anything that hinders the race—besetting sins and even good things that distract us from following Christ wholeheartedly.
Greek word studies — original-language background to the verse.
Original BibleDawn explanation · reviewed 2026-06. Drafted with AI assistance and reviewed for accuracy.