Hymns have a way of touching the soul. Concentrated with God’s promises, their lyrics speak to listeners in a special way. The hymn “He’s Able, He’s Able, I Know He’s Able” has beautiful truths weaved within its verse and chorus. The hymn was arranged by John W. Peterson and composed by Paul E. Paino. Both of these men were strong Christ-followers who strived to share God’s message with those willing to listen.
Who Composed 'He’s Able, He’s Able, I Know He’s Able'?
The composer of “He’s Able, He’s Able, I Know He’s Able” was Dr. Paul E. Paino. Paino co-founded and oversaw Carroll Road Christian Church in Fort Wayne, Indiana. After being ordained by the Assemblies of God in June of 1946, Paino served the Full Gospel Church in Lebanon from 1944 until 1950. After that, Paino began pastoring at the First Assembly of God Church in Fort Wayne. At the same time, he held the title of Assistant Superintendent of the Indiana District of the Assemblies of God through 1956. During his last two years in this role, he served as the Executive Presbyter of the Indiana Assemblies of God.
Meanwhile, the First Assembly of God Church grew and was ready to construct a new building. Dr. Paino then established Calvary Temple Church. The church was renowned for its successful bus ministry, which served over 1,000 children. The congregation also built a 2,200-seat sanctuary on a campus of 25 acres, making it known as one of the top five percent of churches in the United States. Afterward, Paino grew his influence by founding several ministries to serve both children and adults. He also helped establish over fifty satellite church locations around Fort Wayne. Like Peterson, he received three honorary degrees in addition to his Diploma of Theology. His other accomplishments include raising over $150,000,000 for missions enterprises worldwide, writing more than thirty books, and founding a non-profit ministry under his name.
Who Arranged 'He’s Able, He’s Able, I Know He’s Able'?
John W. Peterson arranged “He’s Able, He’s Able, I Know He’s Able.” He began pursuing music in his teenage years. He later went to Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, where he worked for the school’s radio station, and graduated from the American Conservatory of Music in 1953. After graduation, he relocated to Pennsylvania and continued writing music. Making another move to Grand Rapids, Michigan, Peterson took a job as President and Editor-in-Chief with Singspiration. He remained at this music publishing company for over ten years. During the same time, he was also on the board of Gospel Films, Inc, located in Muskegon, Michigan.
After these endeavors, Peterson relocated to Scottsdale, Arizona. He co-founded Good Life Productions and later the John W. Peterson Music Company. He ultimately composed over 1,000 songs and received the Sacred Music Award in 1967 from the National Evangelical Firm Foundation. Additionally, he earned three honorary degrees, including a Doctor of Sacred Music from John Brown University in 1967, a Doctor of Divinity from Western Conservative Baptist Seminary in 1971, and a Doctor of Fine Arts from Grand Canyon University in 1977. Later, Peterson received two additional honors: an inductee into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 1986 and a recipient of the Ray Devries Church Music Award in 1996.
What Biblical Ideas Appear in 'He’s Able, He’s Able, I Know He’s Able'?
1. He’s able to heal. The lyrics to “He’s Able, He’s Able, I Know He’s Able” reference a few different Biblical passages. The song focuses on the amazing things God can do. The first idea is that God can heal those who are broken. Psalm 147:3 says, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” As humans, we inherently sin. However, God restores those that come to him.
We are hard-pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our bodies Jesus’ death, so Jesus’ life may also be revealed in our bodies (2 Corinthians 4:8-10).
Humans have been broken since sin entered the world in the Garden of Eden. God sent his son to die, thus healing our wounds. The Holy Spirit came to this world when Jesus departed so we wouldn’t have to live without him. He is always there to heal our broken hearts.
2. He’s able to save. Because of Jesus’s sacrifice, Christ-followers also experience freedom from sin. This doesn’t mean we won’t be tempted. Sin will remain in this earthly world until Jesus comes again. However, we are no longer bound by our sins. They don’t define us. Instead, Jesus’s blood covers our transgressions. Jesus confirms this in Matthew 26:28 when he says, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”
Galatians 5:3 states, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” The yoke of slavery mentioned in this passage can refer to not only the burden of sin, also the inability to follow God’s laws perfectly. As long as we’re humans living on this earth, we’ll be bound by human tendencies. We can try our best to follow God’s law and the Ten Commandments, but God knew we wouldn’t be able to follow through one hundred percent of the time. That’s why he sent Jesus.
3. He’s able to restore. The last two lines of the verse from “He’s Able He’s Able, I Know He’s Able” refer to miracles Jesus performed while he walked the earth. The miracle of healing the paralytic is recorded in Matthew 9. The man’s friends bring him to Jesus with faith he can be healed. In verse six, Jesus tells the man, “Get up, take your mat and go home.” Not only does Jesus heal the man, but he gives him enough strength to pick up his mat and walk home. In the same way, God can restore us when we are weak and unable to stand. Isaiah 40:29 states, “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” He can strengthen us, so we not only get up but walk the road he’s laid before us.
The last line of the verse refers to the miracle of Jesus healing the blind man found in John 9. One day Jesus and his disciples were walking when they came across the man. The disciples asked what sin he or his parents had committed that led to blindness. John 9:3 says, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.” Then Jesus spat on the ground and rubbed mud in the man’s eyes. After he washed in the Pool of Siloam, he was able to see.
During this miracle, Jesus shows that he also came to open man’s eyes to Jesus and his teaching. The Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary notes how the blind man needed to know he was blind to be cured. In the same way, when we have spiritual blindness, we need first to recognize our faults and weaknesses to have them restored. If we don’t own them, we won’t realize we need Jesus in the first place, therefore remaining blind.
He Is Able
Ephesians 3:20 says, “God is able to do far more than we could ever ask for or imagine. He does everything by his power that is working in us.” God is powerful. God can heal and restore, whether it’s physical weakness like the paraplegic or spiritual weakness like the Pharisees. He walks alongside us in these situations. He helps us endure, even if our walk leads us somewhere different than we expected or hoped. Wherever we end up, we can know God is there with us each step.
For Further Reading:
Who Wrote The Hymn "No One Ever Cared for Me Like Jesus"?
10 Inspirational Hymns of Praise
The Powerful Story Behind the Hymn "I Love to Tell the Story"
10 Hymns about Freedom You Can Sing Today
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/Boonyachoat
Jenna Brooke Carlson is an elementary dual language teacher in the Chicago suburbs. As a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Word Weavers, she enjoys spending time with other writers and perfecting her craft. Her debut novel, Falling Flat, spreads the message that healing can occur, even after tragedy. Along with writing, she’s pursuing her dreams of creating a community of brave young women, who she can encourage to live out their dreams amid challenges and imperfection. Her days are busy, but she’s determined she can conquer anything with a fuzzy blanket and a hot cup of tea. To find out more about Jenna, visit her website at jennabrookecarlson.com.
