Run Well: Insights From Hebrews 12Ihe Nhụchatụ

These heroes of faith catalogued in Hebrews 11 (whose stories are found all through the Old Testament) encouraged New Testament believers to lay aside the weight of the sin of unbelief to run the race set before them. Most importantly, all were to consider “the author and the finisher of our faith…who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame” (Hebrews 12:2, NKJV). With belief in the Lord Jesus, they would keep from growing weary and losing heart in the marathon race of life and ministry.

Beyond this exemplary inspiration, the author teaches a family truth: disciplinary circumstances legitimize our status as God’s beloved children (see Hebrews 12:4–6 and Proverbs 3:11–12; see also Revelation 3:19). For what child is there whom a father doesn’t discipline (Hebrews 12:7)? Our response is not to be a rejection, but a reception of the discipline, for it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness in life (Hebrews 12:7–11).

The two imperatives of Hebrews 12:12-13 train hearers/readers then and now to run life’s endurance race well. The trained and those in training all face the same challenges. We are all weakened to some extent. But the stronger among the weak are exhorted to strengthen themselves so the weaker among us become stronger for their race. The author encourages the stronger among the weak to run well their lifelong race, marathon-strong and marathon-straight.