The verse 1 Timothy 2:5 states, “For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” This important verse teaches that Jesus Christ is the sole mediator between God and humanity. As the only mediator, Jesus provides the way of salvation for sinful mankind to be reconciled with a holy God.
To understand the significance of this verse, it is helpful to first explore the background. The book of 1 Timothy was written by the apostle Paul to his understudy Timothy, who was pastoring the church at Ephesus. In chapter 2, Paul gives instructions about prayer and worship. He urges that prayers be made for all people, including rulers and authorities, that they would come to know the one true God (v.1-4). After stating the command to pray this way, Paul provides the theological basis for why prayers for the salvation of all people are fitting – because Jesus is the one mediator between God and mankind (v.5-6). Christ gave Himself as a ransom for all, and this sacrifice allows for the possibility that any and all humans can be saved as they put their faith in Him.
So what does it mean that Jesus is the one mediator?
First, a mediator is someone who works between two parties to bring about peace and reconciliation where there is discord and estrangement. Before Christ, there was hostility and separation between God and man because of human sin and rebellion against God’s holy law (Isaiah 59:2; Romans 5:10). Sinful man could never make his own way to God. So God in His love sent Christ to be the mediator to bridge the gap.
Second, the verse stresses that Christ is the one and only mediator. Unlike human religions that claim many ways to God, Jesus made the astounding statement that “No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). The exclusiveness of Christ as mediator is rooted in His deity and sinless humanity, which make Him uniquely qualified to stand between God and man. He is the God-man who could pay the infinite price necessary to redeem mankind from sin.
Third, 1 Timothy 2 emphasizes the man Christ Jesus. Though eternally divine, the Son of God became flesh and took on full human nature (John 1:14). As the man Christ Jesus, He could rightfully represent human beings before God. As the verse teaches, the mediator had to be fully God to deal with God, and fully man to deal with mankind. Jesus meets this qualification perfectly.
In summary, Jesus as the one mediator means that He alone has made reconciliation between God and humanity possible. All people must come to the Father through faith in Christ – there is no other way. This truth was so important that after His resurrection, Jesus commanded His disciples to go into all the world proclaiming the gospel and making disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19-20). Faith in Jesus Christ is the only way people can receive forgiveness of sins and eternal life with God.
The doctrine of Christ’s exclusive mediation also gives motivation for evangelism and missions. If religious pluralism were true, there would be little urgency to preach the gospel. But since there is only one way – faith in Jesus Christ – Christians must boldly, lovingly and sacrificially declare the message of salvation to all peoples.
In today’s religiously diverse world, the claim that Jesus is the only mediator seems narrow and intolerant to many. But this teaching is at the very heart of the gospel. For there to be reconciliation between holy God and sinful humanity, the sacrifice of the Son of God was required. The Bible insists that no other mediator is possible. Therefore, Christians lovingly proclaim the message that eternal life comes only through personal faith in the one mediator, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all (1 Timothy 2:5-6).
There are several key bible verses that provide further insight and support for Jesus as the one mediator between God and mankind:
Isaiah 59:2 – “But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.” (The Old Testament teaches our sins separate us from God).
John 14:6 – “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'” (Jesus claimed exclusive access to God the Father).
Acts 4:12 – “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Salvation is through Christ alone).
Romans 5:2 – “Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” (Our access to God’s grace is through Jesus).
Ephesians 2:14-18 – “For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility… that he might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross.” (Jesus made peace and reconciliation between man and God).
Colossians 1:19-20 – “For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things.” (Fullness of God in Christ; reconciliation through Him).
1 Timothy 2:5-6 – “For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all.” (Emphasizes again the exclusiveness of Christ as the one mediator).
Hebrews 8:6 – “But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises.” (Contrasts Jesus’ superior covenant to the Old Testament covenant).
Hebrews 9:15 – “Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance.” (Directly calls Jesus the mediator of a new covenant).
1 John 2:1-2 – “But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.” (Jesus is advocate and atoning sacrifice for all).
These key verses demonstrate the Bible’s consistent testimony that salvation comes through Jesus Christ alone, and that He alone is qualified to be the mediator between God and man. This precious truth should move Christians to proclaim the gospel boldly and lovingly to all people, that they too might know the one mediator, the man Christ Jesus.
In conclusion, 1 Timothy 2:5 teaches that Jesus is the sole mediator between God and humanity. As the God-man, He alone could pay the price for human sin and enable sinners to be reconciled to God. There is no other way to eternal life except through personal faith in Jesus Christ. Recognizing this truth, Christians joyfully and urgently proclaim the gospel so that people from every tribe and language might be saved as they trust in the one mediator, the Lord Jesus Christ.