Wherefore. — Since His priesthood is inviolable, His power of saving is complete. The association of the thought of “salvation” with the priesthood recalls Hebrews 5:9-10; as indeed several points in the later verses of this chapter show that the writer’s thought is resting on the first section of Hebrews 5. In His supplication unto God, “who was able to save Him out of death,” He was heard; this was the type — and more than the type (see the Note on Hebrews 5:7) — of the eternal salvation of which He, when made perfect, becomes the Author. The connecting link between the priestly office and “salvation” appears, therefore, to be the prevalent intercession of which this verse speaks — an intercession which implies all that has preceded in His priestly ministration. (See Hebrews 9:12; Hebrews 9:24.)
That come unto God by him. — Better, that approach through Him to God. See Hebrews 10:19-22, where full expression is given to the thought here briefly indicated. He leads and represents His people, and is the medium of their approach to God.
To make intercession for them. — The word occurs in Romans 8:34 in reference to Christ; in Romans 8:27 it is applied to the intercession of the Holy Spirit. The thought meets us in Hebrews 9:24; John 14:16; 1 John 2:2. With the high priest’s confession of the sins of the people on the Day of Atonement was joined fervent intercession on their behalf; this intercession was also symbolised in the offering of the incense.
Hebrews 7:26-28 look back on all that has preceded, since the beginning of the fifth chapter, and prepare the way for the subsequent sections. The type afforded by Melchizedek has yielded its lessons, and to this there is no further reference. The mention of the high priest (Hebrews 6:20, taking up Hebrews 5:10) is resumed. The unique special teaching of Psalms 110:4 was far from bringing out the full significance of the priesthood of Jesus; for the sacred history does not connect Melchizedek with any of the most prominent high-priestly functions, or with any temple or place of ministration. The abrogation of the Levitical priesthood and the infinite elevation of the “other Priest” above those of the order of Aaron have been so clearly set forth that it is possible henceforth to concentrate attention on the types and lessons furnished by the Jewish ritual itself. Hence there is the closest connection (as has been already mentioned) between these verses and Hebrews 5:1-5.