Rethinking the Translation of τρ？χωμεν τ？ν . . . ？γ？να in Hebrews 12.1 in Light of Ancient Graeco

The phrase τρ？χωμεν τ？ν . . . ？γ？να in Heb 12.1 is almost universally translated into English as “let us run the race.” Despite commentators noting that ？γ？ν refers to a struggle or contest, the fact that it is governed by τρ？χω, typically translated “run,” leads to the conclusion that ？γ？ν must signify a race. Yet, an analysis of the same phrase in Graeco-Roman literature demonstrates that when τρ？χω and ？γ？ν are combined in a context that lacks athletic imagery, the phrase frequently refers to a struggle, often in the face of death. This observation, combined with closer attention to the context in which the phrase occurs in Hebrews, suggests that τρ？χωμεν τ？ν . . . ？γ？να in Heb 12.1 should be translated as “let us undergo the struggle”—the focus being on the audience’s struggle in the face of death, not on their athletic prowess on the race track