He's Able

The Story Behind "He's Able"

Dr. Paino’s international influence is staggering, notably as a successful children’s bus ministry founder. His church in Texas bused over 1,000 children each week to their campus for Christian education. Meanwhile, Dr. Paino was a large-scale church pastor (accomplished in church planting and growth) and a global missions donor.

His ministries placed him in a position to create a hymn that would reach the young and old, rich and poor, and those near and far. In fact, hundreds of pastors claimed him to be a life-changing figure in their personal lives and ministries.

Though "He’s Able" doesn’t seem centered on one specific story or event in Dr. Paino’s life, his years of discipleship and service, no doubt, left him with the conviction and inspiration to create a song to sustain the most downtrodden saint in deep need of encouragement and a reminder of Christ’s unwavering, omnipotent presence.

First Verse Analysis

The first verse begins with a powerful declaration that believers can know God is able to rescue them. For Dr. Paino, this was never a wishing or hoping; it was a knowing. His faith truly had sight, which aligns with several truths in Scripture:

"...I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.”  2 Timothy 1:12 (ESV)

“Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.” Jeremiah 32:17 (NIV)

“Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.” Romans 4:19-21 (NIV)

There is a beautiful weight to the declaration of saints who have endured and seen the promises of God fulfilled, like the patriarch Abraham, referenced in Romans passage above. Yet, there’s a still more beautiful weight to the declaration of saints who endure even when they can’t see or feel God’s promises, when the fulfillment of the promises aren’t granted on this side of heaven.

The faith of these saints rests in the character of God, in His unlimited power and eternal goodness, come what may.

Second Verse Analysis

The second verse is a continuation, an affirmation rather, of the first verse. When we want to doubt God’s ability to protect, preserve, heal, and save, the Gospel accounts give us continuous examples of God’s supernatural, divine power. We see a reference to Christ healing the lame and granting sight to the blind:

“Jesus replied, ‘Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.’” Matthew 11:4-5 (NIV)

“Great crowds came to him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute and many others, and laid them at his feet; and he healed them. The people were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled made well, the lame walking and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel.” Matthew 15:30-31 (NIV)

“Then Jesus said to him, ‘Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.’ At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked.” John 5:8-9 (NIV)

“‘Which is easier: to say, “Your sins are forgiven,” or to say, “Get up and walk?” But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.’ So he said to the paralyzed man, ‘I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.’ Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God.” Luke 5:23-25 (NIV)

Third Verse Analysis

With the witness of the saints and the authority of Scripture, it only makes sense that the final stanza of "He’s Able" is a confident declaration, once more, that Christ is able to not only sustain the believers of old, but the believers of today, no matter what they face.

What a beautiful promise that no matter what we see, feel, or think, or no matter how weak or strong our faith is today, God’s power and goodness are unchanging and forever trustworthy.

Over the years, as people have analyzed this classic hymn, it seems to most beautifully depict this New Testament promise:

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21 (NIV)

Additional Versions and Resources

For additional versions of Dr. Paino’s original version of "He’s Able," consider:
-a deeply emotional rendition sung by LaShun Pace (featuring Aarion Rhodes)
-a classic gospel-music style by Reverend Gerald Thompson
-a traditional 1990s gospel family version by Kirk Franklin and the Family
-a modern version crafted for contemporary worship services by Deitrick Haddon and Voices of Unity, which includes a lost additional verse.

Still want to know more about the background and bio of Dr. Paino and his song? Check out Christianity.com’s additional insights.

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