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Hebrews 12 Bible study: The race set before us

Hebrews 12 names Jesus twice: the one to run looking to, "the author and perfecter of faith" (12:2), and the one you have come to, "Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant" (12:24). Between them come "the exhortation which reasons with you as with children" (12:5) and the call, "Follow after peace with all men" (12:14).

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“Therefore let’s also, seeing we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let’s run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising its shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Hebrews 12:1-2 · World English Bible

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“In Hebrews 12:1-2 both the race and the joy are said to be ‘set before’.”

Is that in Hebrews 12, or not? Make your call.

What's really going on

The race and the joy

In the text

The chapter opens with Therefore: "Therefore let’s also, seeing we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let’s run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising its shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (12:1-2). Here the letter names Jesus (tap author and perfecter). It goes on: "For consider him who has endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, that you don’t grow weary, fainting in your souls." (12:3). These notes don't say who the witnesses are or what they do beyond the verse's words, and explain 12:2-3 no further than their words.

Where the Old Testament leads here

Blood that speaks better

In the text

Genesis 4:10leads toHebrews 12:24

Abel's blood cries out from the ground. Jesus calls him "righteous Abel", and Hebrews points to "Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better than that of Abel."

Honest questions

Questions people ask about Hebrews 12

That was a taste

The rest of Hebrews 12 is waiting in Favor

  • The exhortation which reasons with you
  • Looking carefully
  • What you have not come to
  • Lines that land here
  • Set beside this chapter elsewhere in Favor
  • Asked elsewhere in Favor
  • 12 questions as you read
  • 8 more Greek words
  • A short check at the end
  • Your notes, saved as you go
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The Greek word behind it

τελειωτήςteleiotessay tel-i-o-TAYS

Strong's: "a completer, i.e. consummater". "looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith" (12:2): behind perfecter is this noun, and the New Testament has it only here (counted in RP2018, and in all eight editions TAGNT compares). The next verse goes on, "For consider him who has endured such contradiction of sinners against himself" (12:3). These notes explain 12:2 no further than its words.

For your group

Hebrews 12 Bible study questions

  1. 1"let’s run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus" (12:1-2). What helps you keep going when you're tired?
  2. 2"make straight paths for your feet" (12:13). What is one small step that would make your path straighter this week?
  3. 3"Follow after peace with all men" (12:14). What does following after peace look like in an ordinary week?

Leading a group? In Favor, everyone reads Hebrews 12 during the week and answers these questions privately. Answers stay sealed until you meet, then appear together, and you can print the week's sheet.

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Questions

What is Favor?

Favor is a Bible study app that explains every chapter as you read: the Hebrew and Greek behind the words, the details most readers miss, and how each part of the Bible leads to Jesus. Read on your own, or start a Bible study with friends, family or your church.

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Yes. Hebrews 12 is open from your first day.

Do I need a group?

No. Many people read on their own. If you'd like to read with others, start a Bible study and share one link. Everyone's answers stay private until you meet.

I've never really read the Bible. Is this for me?

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The World English Bible, a modern, readable translation in the public domain. God's name appears as "the LORD", as in most English Bibles.

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Last reviewed October 8, 2026. Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Hebrew and Greek words are checked against the original-language texts and public-domain lexicons. What we believe · Favor home