The Pulpit Commentary — Hebrews — Section 203

life .. Dy eternal lifo we <lo not me11n endless existence, for that may become a curse; but hfe-holy, he.rmonious, progressive, blessed, perpetual life. "He that believeth on the Son bath eternal life." "'l'he salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory." 2. The perfection of this salvation. "Able to save to the uttermost.'' The word rendered " uttermost" does not refer to the duration, but to the perfection, the ~0~1pleteness, of this salvation. Doth by its etymology and by its place in the argument 1t 1s the exact antithesis of the first clause in ver. 19. "The Law made nothina perfect;" but "be is able to save perfectly," or to completeness, "them that'come unt~ God by him." 'l'he perfection of his saving power authorizes the e.ssertion' that he is able to save: (1) 'l'he most wicked characters. Saul of Tarsus was "a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious;" he spake of himself as chief of sinners; yet he obtained mercy, and became a most devoted disciple and most heroic apostle of Jesus Christ. The dying robber is another example (Luke xxiii. 42, 43). De,.raded drunkards, profane swearers, grovelling misers, wilful unbelievers, cruel oppress~rs, in countless numbers have been saved by him. None are so deeply sunk in the horrible pit of sin as to be beyond the reach of the long and strong arm of the perfect Saviour. He is "mighty to save." (2) The greatest numbers. On the day of Pentecost three thousand souls were converted and added to the Christian Church. St. John in vision " beheld a great multitude, which no man could number," etc. (Rev. vii. 9, 10). He is able to save countless millions. Were the number of sinners multiplied a thousand- fold he would still be able to save them. (3) To the most glorious condition. He does not leave his work in man incomplete. •• He is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.'' "He which began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ.'' How glorious must that character be which he has perfected! "We shall be like him.'' "We shall ever be with the Lord." We shall enter into his joy; we shall sit dow1.1 with him upon his throne. II. THAT CHRIST'S SAVING POWER IS GUARANTEED BY THE PERPETUITY OF HIS PRIESTLY OFFICF:. "Wherefore also he is able to save them to the uttermost . . . seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them." The chief moaning of •• to make intercession " is to appear as the representative of another, being moved to do so by feeling for him or with him. Our Saviour's intercession for us does not mean that he is pleading our cause with One who is ill disposed toward us, and needs to be placated by him; or that he is supplicating blessings for us from One who i11 unwilling to bestow them (John xvi. 26, 27). But he does represent us with the great Father, and he is deeply and tenderly identified with us in feeling. He represents us because be sympa- thizes with us. liut in our text, as Alford points out, the intercession "implies the whole mediatorial work, which the exalted Saviour performs for his own with his heavenly Father, either by reference to his past death of blood by which he has bought them for himself, or by continued intercession for them.'' Christ's perpetual intercession signifies that : 1. The efficacy of his work for men is perpetual. The great truths which he enunciated concerning life and duty, sin and salvation, holiness and God, are vital and powerful now as ever they were. His redemptive work accomplished upon earth is as efficacious now as ever it was. His atoning death for us has lost none of its ancient power to touch and subdue, to convert and sanctify, the soul of man. "'l'he word of the cross is the power of God" still to save them that believe. 2. The efficacy of his work in men is perpetual. Our Saviour makes intercession with us as well aB for us. He speaks and works within us for our salvation. By his Hol_y Spirit he encourages and strengthens his people. The Spirit guards us from error and guides us into truth; he restrains us from the wrong and inspires us for the right, etc. Here, then, is the guarantee of the abiding perfoction of Christ's saving power: he is our perpetual representative with the Divine Father; the efficacy of his redeeming work and the merit of his sacrificial death are unabated; and by his Spirit he is still a living presence and power amongst men. 111. THAT CHRIST'S SAVING POWER IB JUDE AVAILABLE ON THE SIMPLEST CONDITION. "'l'o save them . . . that draw near unto God through him.'' Moral approach to God through the mediation of Jesus Christ is the condition upon which this salvation is ~>e~towed. It is implied that man is morally remote from God. "Your iniquities ti.1•;e separated between you and your God." "Ye who sometimes were far off are 'D.,~ 11igh by the blood of Christ.'' If we would be i;aved we must draw near unto OH. VII, 1-28,] 1'HE EPIS1'LE TO THE HEBREWS. 197