What does Hebrews 7:25 mean?
This verse begins with the Greek word hothen, which literally means "therefore." The statement which comes next, then, is entirely dependent on what has just been said. In prior verses, the author has been explaining how the Old Testament system of priests is limited, and therefore ultimately useless for our salvation. Human priests can only serve until they die (Hebrews 7:23), and so they cannot intercede for us forever. No human priest could offer sacrifice for all sins, since he could never live long enough to do so. Jesus, on the other hand, lives forever (Hebrews 7:16), with a priesthood guaranteed forever by God (Hebrews 7:17, 7:21).Therefore, Christ can save us in ways which the Old Covenant never could. The concept of Jesus saving "to the uttermost" is often taken to mean that God can save anyone, no matter how sinful they may be. That idea is true (1 Corinthians 6:9–11), but is not the point being made here. Instead, the author of Hebrews is echoing the same points made earlier: that Jesus is eternally available to intercede for us, and to offer us forgiveness, even right now (Hebrews 4:14–16). Where a human priest would fall short, Christ can save us entirely, since His priesthood is unending (Romans 8:34). What man's effort cannot achieve, Christ's finished work on the cross has already done (Matthew 19:26; Isaiah 64:6; Romans 11:6).
This is powerfully illustrated in the Greek phrase used for "to the uttermost," which is eis to panteles. This exact same phrase, using the exact same words, is used in Luke 13:11 to describe the plight of the crippled woman. She was suffering from a condition which prevented her from standing up "completely." She was bent over, and as much as she tried, she could not completely uncurl her back—she could not straighten her back eis to panteles. This same phrase is used here to show how Christ does, in fact, save us that very way: completely.
Later verses will expand on this by pointing out how Christ's sacrifice is also perfect, not limited like that of the Levitical priests (Hebrews 9:11–12). His life is sinless, unlike the flawed human nature of other priests (Hebrews 4:15). Human priesthood, left to itself, could only save us to a certain extent—not completely, and not eternally. Christ, on the other hand, saves us entirely and forever (Hebrews 9:24).
