A mediator is one who stands between two estranged parties to reconcile them — and Scripture names two principal biblical mediators. Moses was the mediator of the Old Covenant: "Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions... and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator" (Galatians 3:19; cf. Hebrews 8:6). Christ is the mediator of the New Covenant and the universal mediator between God and men: "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all" (1 Timothy 2:5-6; Hebrews 8:6; 9:15; 12:24). The article and number matter: one mediator. Rome’s saints, Mary as co-mediatrix, and every priestly substitute fall under this verse’s exclusive claim.
One who interposes between two parties at variance for the purpose of reconciling them.
MEDIATOR, n. One that interposes between parties at variance, for the purpose of reconciling them.
1 Timothy 2:5 is the cleanest New Testament statement: For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. Christ is mediator because He shares both natures — divine and human — truly able to lay His hand on both.
1 Timothy 2:5 — "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus."
Hebrews 9:15 — "And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament."
Hebrews 12:24 — "And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling."
Galatians 3:19 — "It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator."
Some traditions multiply mediators (saints, intercessors); Scripture insists there is one.
1 Timothy 2:5 is exclusive: one God, one mediator. Saints may pray for one another; angels may serve as messengers; but no one stands in the mediatorial place between God and man except Christ Himself.
And the saint approaches God directly through this one mediator. Hebrews 4:16: let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace. The household's prayer is bold because the mediator is sufficient.
Greek mesitēs is the New Testament term.
Greek mesitēs — one who stands between; mediator, arbiter.
Note: mesos (middle) plus participle ending; the one in the middle.
"One God, one mediator: the line is exclusive."
"Christ is mediator because He shares both natures."
"The household prays boldly because the mediator is sufficient."