A Good Word – ἀρχηγός (Pioneer)

For many Americans, the word “pioneer” evokes thoughts of families in the 1800s leaving the security of their established communities to make a new life for themselves in the untamed western United States. This is famously depicted in the books by Laura Ingalls Wilder and the television series based on her works, The Little House on the Prairie. Some of these pioneers were adventure seekers; others were desperate, looking for a new start. 

Thus, it may be puzzling when we read Hebrews 12:2 and discover that Jesus is “the pioneer and perfecter of faith” (NIV). Are we to envision Jesus riding a wagon through treacherous terrain, enduring hardship in hope of finding a better life? And what does it mean to be a “pioneer of faith”? In light of the preceding discussion in Hebrews 11 about faith and faithful people throughout history, the “faith” that the author references here likely refers to the faith of others, namely, our faith. 

Although “pioneer” is a common translation of ἀρχηγός,¹ the difficulty of understanding its meaning is evident by the plethora of its other translations, including “author”,² “originator”,³ and “founder”.⁴ Although we “feel” a general connection between all of these translations (i.e., the sense of starting something), they do appear distinct.

Upon further consideration, “pioneer” is an appropriate translation of ἀρχηγός in Hebrews 12:2. The Greek word also occurs in Hebrews 2:10 where Jesus is called the ἀρχηγός of the readers’ salvation. Jesus initiates salvation, but He does more than this. Jesus is also the sourceof salvation. Like a pioneer from the 1800s, Jesus went before us and paved the way for others. Pioneers provide the road map for success. However, unlike pioneers such as the Ingallses, whose experience opened doors and provided direction, Jesus also provided everything necessary for our salvation. Thus, concerning faith, Jesus is its source. His work, both on earth and now in heaven, has secured and sustains our faith.

To appreciate Jesus as a “pioneer” in Hebrews 12:2, it is helpful to briefly consider the other word connected with Jesus in this verse, “perfecter” (τελειωτής). This word is only here in the New Testament. The term “perfecter” means “one who brings [something] to a successful completion.”⁵ Thus, as the pioneer and perfecter, Jesus is both the originator and the one who completes our “faith.” With important projects, it is not uncommon for one great individual to initiate and then another to complete the project. The author of Hebrews is thus stating something very significant about Jesus; that He alone both pioneered and completed our faith.

This truth is illustrated throughout Hebrews. Jesus’ death initiated and secured for us salvation and provided access to God (Hebrews 2:10; 4:16; 5:9; 10:10, 22). Jesus’s life provided us with a perfect example of faith to follow (Hebrews 4:15; 12:2). Jesus is presently our high priest interceding for us (Hebrews 4:14-15; 5:10; 8:1-2; 9:11-12; 10:21). And finally, Jesus will ultimately complete what he began on our behalf (Hebrews 9:12, 26-28). Therefore, let us leave behind the life with which we are familiar and follow the great Pioneer into the wild with complete assurance that the life we will gain is so much more significant than the life that we have left behind.  

₁ CSB, NET, NIV, NRSV, NRSVue, RSV.
₂ ASV, KJV, NASB, NASB95, NIV84, NKJV
₃ LEB, NASB2020
₄ ESV
₅ (BDAG, 997)