Commentaries:
Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown
Looking unto—literally, "Looking from afar" (see on Hebrews 11:26); fixing the eyes upon Jesus seated on the throne of God.
author—"Prince-leader." The same Greek is translated, "Captain (of salvation)," Hebrews 2:10; "Prince (of life)," Acts 3:15. Going before us as the Originator of our faith, and the Leader whose matchless example we are to follow always. In this He is distinguished from all those examples of faith in Heb. 11:2-40. (Compare I Corinthians 11:1). On His "faith" compare Hebrews 2:13; Hebrews 3:12. Believers have ever looked to Him (Hebrews 11:26; Hebrews 13:8).
finisher—Greek, "Perfecter," referring to Hebrews 11:40.
of our faith—rather as Greek, "of the faith," including both His faith (as exhibited in what follows) and our faith. He fulfilled the ideal of faith Himself, and so, both as a vicarious offering and an example, He is the object of our faith.
for the joy . . . set before him—namely, of presently after sitting down at the right hand of the throne of God; including besides His own personal joy, the joy of sitting there as a Prince and Saviour, to give repentance and remission of sins. The coming joy disarmed of its sting the present pain.
cross . . . shame—the great stumbling-block to the Hebrews. "Despised," that is, disregarded.
Other Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown entries containing Hebrews 12:2:
Psalms 16:1
Psalms 16:7
Zechariah 4:7
Matthew 25:22
1 Corinthians 9:26
2 Thessalonians 3:5
2 Timothy 4:7
Hebrews 2:10
Hebrews 3:1
Hebrews 3:14
Hebrews 4:16
Hebrews 6:18
Hebrews 11:40
Hebrews 12:13
Hebrews 12:24
Hebrews 13:8
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