He is Able

By Pamela Rose Williams

Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. Hebrews 7:25

I saw this verse and immediately knew that it was a continuation of the principles being taught in Hebrews chapter 7. As with any verse that begins with words like “wherefore”, “therefore”, “and” and other connecting adverbs, we must look at surrounding text to get the whole thought. The word “wherefore” can be defined to mean “for which reason”. So then, we can say that this verse may also begin as “For which reason he is able also …”. Now to truly understand what we are reading we must look around to find the “reason” that “he” is able also to save.

Hebrews 7 opens with the writer talking about “Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God” (vs. 1) and how he was honored by Abraham with tithes (a tenth part of all). As we read on down through the verses in Hebrew 7 we see “For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.” (vs. 17)

So, we can see that the writer is not speaking of Abraham (because nowhere in Scripture are we told that Abraham is a priest). And we know that it is not talking about Melchisedec himself because whoever it is that the writer is talking about is a “priest for ever AFTER the order of Melchisedec.”

Then I remembered reading that Jesus is our High Priest and did a search to find where in the Bible verse 17 might be cross referenced, and I found this:

Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. Hebrews 4:14

So now let’s get back to our verse of the day — “He is able also to save them”. The “them” in this verse is referring to anyone and everyone that “come unto God by him” (vs. 25) — the “him” is Jesus. Jesus lives and His priesthood is unchangeable unlike those priests who have died (vs. 24).  And then the writer finishes off the chapter by reminding the reader that the old sacrifice system (the Law) is gone and it has been replaced with the New Sacrifice, Jesus Himself (the Word), who died once for the sins of all (Hebrews 7:26-28).

And so, He is able to save to the uttermost not only those priests of old, but everyone because His priesthood never ends and He is consecrated forevermore. Do you believe that He is able to save you to the uttermost?