Looking unto Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Read Chapter 12
George Leo Haydock
AD 1849
Who having joy proposed to him, underwent the cross. The sense seems to be, who by reason of the joy he had to perform the will of his eternal Father, for which he knew he should be exalted above all creatures, underwent willingly the ignominy and death of the cross. (Witham)
Looking (he says), that is, that we may learn to run. For as in all arts and games, we impress the art upon our mind by looking to our masters, receiving certain rules through our sight, so here also, if we wish to run, and to learn to run well, let us look to Christ, even to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. What is this? He has put the Faith within us. For He said to His disciples, You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you John 15:16; and Paul too says, But then shall I know, even as also I have been known. 1 Corinthians 13:12 He put the Beginning into us, He will also put on the End.
Who, he says, for the joy that was set before Him, endured the Cross, despising the shame. That is, it was in His power not to suffer at all, if He so willed. For He did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth 1 Peter 2:22; as He also says in the Gospels, The Prince of the world comes and has nothing in Me. John 14:30 It lay then in His power, if so He willed, not to come to the Cr...
