Pioneer and Perfecter, Part 1

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” – Hebrews 12:1-2

I’ve found yet another tidbit in these verses which captures my attention. The writer describes Jesus as “the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” (Verses are from the NIV unless otherwise indicated.) This pair occurs nowhere else in the New Testament, so it’s a curious way to describe our Lord. 

I want to explore the meaning of these words and discover why the writer coined this phrase. Why this pair of terms? Why not use more common words? What’s he trying to convey?

In this post, we’ll look at the first term and next post (or two) will deal with the second.

The Greek word for “pioneer” is archegos and occurs in only three other verses in the New Testament.

 “You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this.” – Acts 3:15

The first verse is in the middle of the apostle Peter’s response to the amazement of the crowd following the healing of a lame man (Acts 3:12-26). Peter contrasts the mistreatment Jesus suffered at the hands of His countrymen with the exaltation His Father granted Him. As faith in His name healed the lame man, so faith in Jesus will grant forgiveness of sins. The emphasis here is not on chronology but on status. Peter is announcing the glorious irony that Jesus, the One killed on the cross, is the Lord of life. 

I’m not sure I would have gone with “author” as the best translation in this verse. The next verse shows a better alternative.

“God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins.” – Acts 5:31

The second verse opts for “Prince” which conveys the idea of status. The people rejected Jesus by condemning to death on a cross. By contrast, God has exalted His Son by raising Him from the dead and seating Him at His right hand. Again, Peter emphasizes the prominence of Christ, not the timing of the resurrection.

“But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. ¹⁰In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered.” – Hebrews 2:9-10

The third verse (well, passage) is in the beginning of Hebrews. We could say that the writer uses “pioneer” (archegos) as bookends in his letter. The question is, what does this word stress in Hebrews: timing or status?

It looks like the word in this verse embraces both concepts. Jesus initiates salvation for those who believe in Him. He’s also the One degraded on their behalf. But His suffering has the unexpected (in the eyes of the world) consequence of Christ’s perfection. He’s as glorious as one can get!

With all this in mind, let’s revisit Hebrews 12:2:

“Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” – Hebrews 12:2

Is Jesus a pioneer, launching out into the unknown, or beginning a new program that no one had ever seen before? Or is He the ruler of those who believe in Him? We’re back to the same question, is this a matter of timing or status?

Taken in isolation, this verse is emphasizing Christ’s status. He can’t be the pioneer of living by faith because the writer of Hebrews precedes this verse with an entire chapter filled with examples of Old Testament saints who demonstrated faith in God. So Jesus isn’t the first one!

But Hebrews recognizes the trailblazing work unique to Jesus Christ.

“Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, ²⁰by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, ²¹and since we have a great priest over the house of God, ²²let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.” – Hebrews 10:19-22

Jesus created a new way, a living way by which anyone of us can approach God. He achieved this by offering up His body on the cross. As a priest, He sacrificed Himself, something which no Old Testament priest had to do. As a result, Jesus enjoys the reward of status. The writer calls Him “a great high priest” although Christ didn’t descend from Aaron’s family. He’s new and He’s great; Jesus combines timing and status.

The biblical term that best links both ideas is the word “firstborn.” Here’s an example from the Old Testament.

In the Old Testament, the first boy born into a family would receive a double share of the inheritance. 

“On the contrary, he shall acknowledge the firstborn, the son of the unloved wife, by giving him a double portion of everything that he owns, for he was the beginning of his strength; to him belongs the right of the firstborn.” – Deuteronomy 21:17 (NASB)

In the days of the patriarchs, a man could marry more than one wife. If he did, he was not permitted to favor the first child of his cherished wife more than the actual firstborn if he were the offspring of a less desired wife. The firstborn, determined by chronology, deserves a double portion, a sign of regard and priority.

And the New Testament identifies Jesus as God’s firstborn.

“He is also the head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.” – Colossians 1:18 (NASB)

In terms of chronology, Jesus is the first resurrected person in history. In terms of priority, Jesus is also first. He wins nothing but gold medals!

So based on everything we’ve studied, what can we conclude about Jesus as the pioneer of faith? We should view Him as the firstborn who shares His inheritance. He’s human; He’s part of our family and knows all the tests and temptations we’ve experienced. Christ trods the path of faith which God requires of every human being and rewards when people trust Him. The Lord even functions as a priest, but He offers only one sacrifice–Himself.

God honors the perfect ministry of His son by exalting Him to His right hand in heaven. There, Jesus is the Lord of heaven and earth. And all who believe in Him (in heart and in deed) are united with Him. We who believe enjoy forgiveness and have access to God through Christ. 

From the perspective of our faith, who is Jesus? He is our Leader. He finished His work on our behalf before we even knew what He did. And He’s the One we look to in adoration and surrender. 

Praise His name!