Author and Finisher of Our Faith

After the long roll call of faithful men and women in Hebrews 11, the writer turns the reader's eyes to one more: 'Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame.' The word 'author' carries the sense of a pioneer or leader who goes first, and 'finisher' of one who brings something to completion. Jesus ran the whole race of faith to the end and now sits at the right hand of the throne of God. Believers run 'with patience the race that is set before us' by keeping their eyes on him.

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Strongest connections in Scripture

Hebrews 12

Key Passages

Looking Unto Jesus

Hebrews 12:1-3

Surrounded by witnesses, believers run their race by fixing their eyes on Jesus, who endured the cross.

W¹herefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³ For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.