Τοιγαροῦν καὶ ἡμεῖς, τοσοῦτον ἔχοντες περικείμενον ἡμῖν νέφος μαρτύρων, ὄγκον ἀποθέμενοι πάντα καὶ τὴν εὐπερίστατον ἁμαρτίαν, δι’ ὑπομονῆς τρέχωμεν τὸν προκείμενον ἡμῖν ἀγῶνα,
Therefore, Let Us Run
Hebrews 12:1 is a call to sustained faithfulness, building on the momentum of the preceding chapter’s “hall of faith.” Yet the force of this verse lies not only in its imagery, but in its syntax—layered participles, present subjunctives, and prepositional phrases that shape the believer’s spiritual posture. The structure reveals that perseverance is not passive endurance, but disciplined, active forward movement, made possible by preparation, vision, and determination.
Grammatical Focus: Hortatory Subjunctive and Participial Preparation
The main clause is τρέχωμεν τὸν προκείμενον ἡμῖν ἀγῶνα—“let us run the race set before us.” This verb τρέχωμεν is in the present active subjunctive, first person plural, forming a hortatory subjunctive, which encourages group action: “Let us run.” The race is qualified by a participial and prepositional cascade: we are to run after having laid aside (ἀποθέμενοι) every burden and entangling sin, and we are to do it through endurance (δι’ ὑπομονῆς).
The syntax thus unfolds a sequence: first vision (νέφος μαρτύρων), then preparation (throwing off obstacles), and finally action (running). The grammar itself trains the disciple for godly perseverance.
Detailed Morphological Analysis
- Τοιγαροῦν
- Form: Inferential conjunction
- Translation: “Therefore then” or “So then accordingly”
- Notes: Introduces a strong conclusion drawn from previous discussion (Hebrews 11)
- ἔχοντες… νέφος μαρτύρων
- Root: ἔχω
- Form: Present active participle, nominative masculine plural
- Literal Translation: “having so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us”
- Notes: Describes the current state of encouragement from previous faithful examples
- ἀποθέμενοι
- Root: ἀποτίθημι
- Form: Aorist middle participle, nominative masculine plural
- Literal Translation: “having laid aside”
- Notes: Preceding action—removing all hindrances is necessary before running
- ὄγκον πάντα καὶ τὴν εὐπερίστατον ἁμαρτίαν
- Root: ὄγκος, ἁμαρτία
- Form: Accusative direct objects of ἀποθέμενοι
- Literal Translation: “every burden and the sin that easily entangles”
- Notes: Both weight (possibly neutral) and sin (morally destructive) must be discarded
- δι’ ὑπομονῆς
- Root: ὑπομονή
- Form: Prepositional phrase – διά + genitive
- Literal Translation: “through endurance”
- Notes: Means by which the race is run—not speed, but perseverance
- τρέχωμεν
- Root: τρέχω
- Form: Present active subjunctive, 1st person plural
- Literal Translation: “let us run”
- Notes: Hortatory subjunctive—urges unified, active response from the readers
- τὸν προκείμενον ἡμῖν ἀγῶνα
- Root: πρόκειμαι, ἀγών
- Form: Adjective phrase + accusative noun
- Literal Translation: “the race set before us”
- Notes: Indicates divine appointment—each believer’s path is uniquely and providentially placed
Table of Key Forms
| Greek Form | Parsing | Translation | Spiritual Insight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Τοιγαροῦν | Inferential conjunction | Therefore | Links theological truth to ethical response |
| ἔχοντες… νέφος | Present participle | Having a cloud of witnesses | We are not alone—others have run before us |
| ἀποθέμενοι | Aorist middle participle | Having laid aside | Perseverance requires preparation and self-denial |
| δι’ ὑπομονῆς | Prepositional phrase | By endurance | The race is not won by speed but by perseverance |
| τρέχωμεν | Present subjunctive, 1st pl | Let us run | Active, intentional obedience together |
| προκείμενον ἀγῶνα | Perfect middle participle + noun | The race set before us | The path is providentially laid; our task is to run it faithfully |
The Syntax of Enduring Faith
Hebrews 12:1 is not just a metaphor—it is a command framed by grammar. We are not invited to wander or wait. We are exhorted to run. But before the race begins, the participles teach us how to prepare: see the cloud of witnesses, strip off burdens, let go of sin. The subjunctive τρέχωμεν captures not only the action, but the spirit: let us run together, let us run intentionally, and let us run through endurance.
In the race of faith, grammar becomes theology. And this syntax reveals that perseverance isn’t passive. It’s a choice, a discipline, a response to the grace and example already surrounding us. And the goal is not speed—but faithfulness.
