Hebrews 7:25

New Testament Epistle (General) ASV (1901)

What does Hebrews 7:25 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Wherefore also he is able to save to the uttermost them that draw near unto God through him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Wherefore also he is able to save to the uttermost them that draw near unto God through him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
Hebrews 7:25 — American Standard Version

Context — Hebrews 7

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
25Wherefore also he is able to save to the uttermost them that draw near unto God through him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost, etc..] Because he continues ever, and has an unchangeable priesthood. This is to be understood not of temporal salvation, nor of providential favours, but of spiritual and eternal salvation; and includes a deliverance from all evil, here and hereafter, and an enjoyment of all good in this world, and in that to come: Christ was called to this work by his Father; he was promised by him to do it, and was sent by him to effect it, and has accomplished it; and this is the reason of his name Jesus, and was the end of his coming into this world, and which the Gospel always represents as such: this work required ability; here was a law to be…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Wherefore--Greek, "Whence"; inasmuch as "He remaineth for ever." also--as a natural consequence flowing from the last, at the same time a new and higher thing [ALFORD]. save--His very name JESUS (Heb 7:22) meaning Saviour. to the uttermost--altogether, perfectly, so that nothing should be wanting afterwards for ever [TITTMANN]. It means "in any wise," "utterly," in Luk 13:11. come unto God--by faith. by him--through Him as their mediating Priest, instead of through the Levitical priests. seeing he ever liveth--resuming "He continueth ever," Heb 7:24; therefore "He is able to the uttermost"; He is not, like the Levitical priest, prevented by death, for "He ever liveth" (Heb 7:23). to make…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Wherefore he is able also - As he ever lives, and ever intercedes, he has power to save. He does not begin the work of salvation, and then relinquish it by reason of death, but he lives on as long as it is necessary that anything should be done for the salvation of his people. We need a Saviour who has power, and Christ has shown that he has all the power which is needful to rescue man from eternal death. To the uttermost - This does not mean simply “forever” - but that he has power to save them so that their salvation shall be “complete” - εἰς τὸ παντελὲς eis to panteles. He does not abandon the work midway; he does not begin a work which he is unable to finish. He can aid us as long as…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Wherefore he is able to save to the uttermost - From all the guilt, power, root, and consequence of sin. Them who come - By faith. To God through him - As their priest. Seeing he ever liveth to make intercession - That is, he ever lives and intercedes. He died once; he intercedes perpetually. Hebrews 7:26”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“7:25 able, once and forever, to save: Since Jesus lives forever, the salvation he brings also lasts forever. To draw near to an eternal God, we need an eternal priest. • Jesus will intercede or appeal to God for us as our High Priest of the new covenant, and his intercession is never-ending (see 9:11-28; 10:21-22; Rom 8:31-34).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“he is: Heb 2:18, Heb 5:7; Isa 45:22, Isa 63:1; Dan 3:15, Dan 3:17, Dan 3:29, Dan 6:20; Joh 5:37-40, Joh 10:29; Joh 10:30; Eph 3:20; Phi 3:21; Ti2 1:12; Jde 1:24 to the uttermost: or, evermore come: Heb 7:19, Heb 11:6; Job 22:17, Job 23:3; Psa 68:31, Psa 68:32; Isa 45:24; Jer 3:22 by him: Heb 13:15; Joh 14:6; Rom 5:2; Eph 2:18, Eph 3:12; Jo1 2:1, Jo1 2:2 ever: Heb 7:8, Heb 7:16, Heb 7:24 to make: Heb 9:24; Isa 53:12, Isa 59:16; Dan 9:16; Joh 14:13, Joh 14:16, Joh 16:23, Joh 16:24, 17:9-26; Rom 8:34; Ti1 2:5; Jo1 2:1, Jo1 2:2; Rev 8:3, Rev 8:4 Hebrews 7:26”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification