Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 1 Timothy 2:5

"For there is one God, one mediator also between God and men, [himself] man, Christ Jesus," — 1 Timothy 2:5 (ASV)

This is one of the most significant verses of the NT. It declares first of all that “there is one God.” This is a primary affirmation in the OT, in opposition to the polytheism of Paul’s day. The fact that there is only one God (monotheism) is the basic premise of both Judaism and Christianity.

But then comes a difference, for Christianity goes on to assert that “there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” “Mediator” (GK 3542) occurs only once in LXX (Greek translation of the OT). Job was frustrated by the fact that God was not a man with whom he could converse. In despair he wished that there might be someone to arbitrate between himself and God (Job 9:33). Christ is the answer to this ancient cry for help. A “mediator” is someone who intervenes between two parties, either to make peace and restore friendship, or to form a covenant. In keeping with this, Christ by his death restored the harmony between God and human beings which sin had broken.

To be of any use, a bridge across a chasm or river must be anchored on both sides. Christ has closed the gap between deity and humanity. He has crossed the grand canyon, so deep and wide, between heaven and earth. He has bridged that which separated us from God. With one foot planted in eternity, he planted the other in time. He who was the eternal Son of God became the Son of Man. And across this bridge, we can come into the very presence of God, knowing that we are accepted because we have him as a Mediator.