Hebrews 7:25 - Exposition

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. We again observe how, at the end of successive stages of the argument, thoughts to be enlarged on afterwards are brought in. Here it is the perpetual intercession of Christ before the heavenly mercy-seat. In the view of his office thus arrived at there is, in fact, a transition to the main subject set forth in the three chapters that follow; viz. the fulfillment in Christ of the ceremonial of the Law, and especially of the high priest's intercession on the Day of Atonement. And thus from Melchizedek the train of thought passes to the high priest. The type of the former has been sufficiently shown to be fulfilled in the higher order of Christ's priesthood; it is now to be shown how, being of such higher order, it is the antitype of the Aaronic priesthood too, accomplishing what it signified. Hence in Hebrews 7:26 the word "high priest" ( ἀρχιερεὺς ) is for the first time introduced, as the key-note of what is coming.

Summary of the foregoing argument.

I. ( Hebrews 7:1-11 ) What does the Melchizedek priesthood of Psalms 110:1-7 . signify?

1. ( Hebrews 7:1-4 ) One not depending on human ancestry, and one forever abiding.

2. ( Hebrews 7:4-11 ) One of a higher order than that of Aaron; for:

(1) Melchizedek, being of a race apart, received tithe from Abraham the patriarch.

(2) This denotes a higher position than that of the Aaronic priests, who tithed their brethren of the same race with themselves, in virtue only of a special ordinance.

(3) The blessing of Abraham by Melchizedek is similarly significant.

(4) The idea of an ever-living priest with a right to tithe transcends that of the temporary claims of a succession of dying men.

(5) Levi himself virtually paid tithe to Melchizedek.

II . ( Hebrews 7:11-18 ) The Aaronic priesthood, and with it the whole dispensation based upon it, is thus shown to have been imperfect and transitory; for:

1. Otherwise a priesthood of another order would not have been spoken of in Psalms 110:1-7 .

2. Which priesthood is evidently distinct from the Aaronic, our Lord being of the tribe, not of Levi, but of Judah.

3. What has been seen ( Psalms 110:5 and 8) as to the Melchizedek priesthood being not "after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life," makes this "more abundantly evident."

Conclusion ( Hebrews 7:18-20 ). The Aaronic priesthood (being in itself unprofitable) is therefore now superseded by an availing one, "through which we draw nigh unto God."

III . ( Hebrews 7:20-26 ) Christ's priesthood is thus availing; for:

1. The Divine oath ( Psalms 110:1-7 ) established it, marking it as resting on the eternal Divine counsels.

2. It is (as shown by the same psalm) "unchangeable." The one Priest abides forever.

Conclusion ( Hebrews 7:25 ). We have, therefore, in him at last, a perfectly availing and eternal interceding High Priest.