The Setting

The writer of Hebrews is greatly concerned about the Jewish Christians in Rome, the capital city of the Empire. The gospel had probably been brought into this “Eternal City” (as many called it) by Jews and proselytes who had heard Peter’s sermon at Pentecost and exercised faith in Jesus (Acts 2:10, 37–38). The writer affirms they are believers, and he calls them “holy brothers” and “partakers of the heavenly calling” (3:1). Over the past three decades, however, life had been difficult for these Jewish believers, and they experienced much suffering. They faced rejection by their own people, and they, along with all the Jews of Rome, were dismissed from the city of Rome by the Edict of Emperor Claudius in A.D. 49 (cf. Acts 18:2). The writer acknowledges in their “former days” they “had endured a great conflict of sufferings” (10:32).

For the past number of months, a good portion of these Jewish Christians have been questioning the worth of following Christ; they seem spiritually exhausted and frightened. Into this backdrop the Holy Spirit guides a well-known writer to these believers to pen a book that exalts the nature, cross-work, and glorification of Jesus Christ. His goal is to rally the Roman believers around the person of Christ, and the “theme of endurance” cannot be missed. He concludes his letter by urging the brothers to endure, or follow through on this “word of exhortation,” which he has written to them (13:22).

The Exhortation

The force of this writer’s purpose is best summed up in his admonition, “Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” First, there is a “race” set before us. The word “race” is the Greek term for “agony” (agōn), and is only used in the N.T. by Paul, except here. It reflects a strong challenge or struggle (e.g., Col. 2:1; 2 Thess. 2:2). Not surprisingly, the author calls the believers to “lay aside every weight and sin which so easily entangles us.” In short, the race is a struggle, so each believer must run without any hindrance, and be faithful to the end.

Second, the race is “set before us.” The course for each of us is different; yet, it has been set by God. For examples of this refer to Hebrews 11 and the “great cloud of witnesses” whose lives we can review. Remember Noah? He was “warned about things he had never seen” so he obeyed and built an ark (11:7). Also, Abraham’s course is just as incredible for he was “called,” and he “obeyed” by travelling without knowing where God was taking him. The point of this phrase is unmistakable: We (the author includes himself) are to run the race that God has planned for us. 

Third, we are to “run with endurance.” The writer calls for our spiritual commitment to finish the course God has set before us. There are two reasons why “endurance” is necessary: the race is marked by agony, and in the following verses the Lord will shape (“discipline”) each son and daughter into proper instruments for his glory (12:5–7). Importantly, the text says we should be “fixing our eyes upon Jesus”—not, fixing our eyes on the course. The course is a path of suffering and training, so our eyes must be on him alone: “the author and perfector of our faith.” 

The Conclusion

The race is God’s distinctive course for each believer, and there will be “emotional, intellectual, physical, and spiritual agony” (Gromacki, Hebrews, 198).  Although you may be facing severe pain, exhaustion, or opposition, keep your eyes upon Jesus. He who initiates faith will complete it in you (cf. Phil. 1:6). Or, as the writer states, he “will equip you in every good thing to do his will, by doing in us what is pleasing in his sight” (13:21). Therefore, run God’s course “with endurance”!