Saved to the Uttermost
It’s not a word we use much. But look at how the ESV uses the word “uttermost” in Hebrews 7:23-25…
“The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.”
In the original Greek, the word is pantelace (παντελής) and it means “entirely,” “completely,” or “perfectly.” Notice how it’s difficult to overstate its extent. Essentially, the writer of Hebrews is saying there’s nothing missing from Jesus’ salvation! But there's another layer to this word’s definition. Pan-telace is actually a compound word made up of the words pas (“all” or “every”) and telos (“end” or “limit” ). This helps highlight the temporal meaning of the word and its why the NASB translates verse 25: “…he is able to save forever (pan-telace) those who draw near to God through him…” This forever salvation makes sense, because as we read in verse 24, it is a result of Jesus’ forever or “permanent” priesthood.
Luke uses pan-telace in chapter 13 or his gospel. In verse 10 and 11, he writes, “On a Sabbath Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all.” Here, the word is used in the negative and describes this woman’s complete and utter inability to straighten up even a little. So, with pan-telace, it is all or nothing. But even the negative use of this word in Luke helps drive home the truth of our Hebrews passage, that there is absolutely nothing missing from the salvation Christ provides - neither in its quality or its quantity. By faith in Christ, we have a salvation that is both entire and eternal.
He does not just offer us salvation or make salvation possible, He does not merely intend or attempt to save; He saves! That said, look again at verse 25, “…he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him...” At first glance, this salvation appears to be conditional, dependent upon our drawing near to God. But consider Jesus’ words in the gospel of John…
“No one comes to the Father except through me.” - John 14:6
“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.” - John 6:44
So, in summary, the Father elects us, calls us and draws us to the Son, so that we might see our need for a Savior and trust in Christ by grace. While we are justified by faith immediately, this begins the process of salvation, a process that He is sure to finish. Therefore, the writer of Hebrews calls Jesus, the founder and perfecter (or as the KJV says, finisher) of our faith. We are secure, and our salvation is sure in Him.
Have you ever walked with a small child hand-in-hand through a parking lot? You probably have a bit of a different grip than if you were holding hands with, say, a spouse. Odds are you have a firm grip around their entire hand in order to prevent them from pulling away and running off after some shiny distraction. The point is this, that your confidence that they will walk securely to the other side is not in their grip or in their sober focus – it is in yours! Your grip is unbreakable. Your watchfulness is sufficient. Their weakness and propensity for distraction will not compromise their safety.
It is Christ’s grip, the power of His sacrifice, the permanency of His sacred priestly role that – in a very real sense – is keeping us saved. He is with us by the indwelling of His Holy Spirit, the Spirit that provokes in us a love for the Father. And it is Christ’s intercessory and advocating ministry from heaven that provides for us forgiveness with the Father. Both aspects – love for and forgiveness by the Father – are works of God the Son and God the Spirit. In this way, we are in His grip. And this is how Jesus is able promise to be our perfect and forever Savior.
These truths compose the doctrine of the Preservation of the Saints or the Perseverance of the Saints – to oversimplify it, it means that we can’t lose our salvation. But its more… Look at Romans 8:29-30…
“For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.”
Hypothetically, if Christ were to stop performing His heavenly priestly role, we would stray, loose our grip, and forfeit the promise of salvation. But we can have confidence in what one pastor calls “future grace.” Because He lives, He lives to save! If you were predestined and justified by faith… you will be glorified!
So, the question is does remaining faithful to Christ, or your ultimate salvation provoke in you fear for what might come or does it provoke faith in God and freedom from the pressure of never losing your grip on Him. Rest assured, Christian – you are safely in His grip today.
As we have seen in this word “uttermost” (pan-telace) the security of our salvation can hardly be overstated!