Bible Strands
1 Timothy 2:5
For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul writes to Timothy in Ephesus, grounding a broader argument about prayer and church order in the uniqueness of Christ's mediatorial role. The verse sits between God's desire that all be saved (v. 4) and Christ's ransom for all (v. 6).
The words — μεσῖτης (mesitēs) means "mediator," one who stands between two parties; Paul uses the same word in Galatians 3:20 to note that a mediator is unnecessary where there is only one party. The repetition of εἷς (heis, "one") before both "God" and "mediator" is a deliberate numerical restriction.
The thread — Galatians 3:20 supplies the logic (a mediator implies two parties); Hebrews 9:15 names Christ as mediator of a new covenant; 1 Corinthians 8:6 distinguishes one God and one Lord, a distinction 1 Timothy 2:5 resolves into a single mediatorial figure.
Why it lands — The verse closes the door on any other route between God and humanity. A reader is asked to hold that no additional mediator, institution, or work can be inserted into the gap.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
Cross-references
- 1 Corinthians 8:6 yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we exist. And there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we exist.
- Galatians 3:20 A mediator is unnecessary, however, for only one party; but God is one.
- Hebrews 9:15 Therefore Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, now that He has died to redeem them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.
- Hebrews 7:25 Therefore He is able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them.
- Deuteronomy 6:4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is One.
- Hebrews 12:24 to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
- John 1:14 The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
- Isaiah 44:6 Thus says the LORD, the King and Redeemer of Israel, the LORD of Hosts: “I am the first and I am the last, and there is no God but Me.
- Philippians 2:6 Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
- Romans 3:29 Is God the God of Jews only? Is He not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too,