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Mediator (Biblical)
/MEE-dee-AY-ter/
noun
Latin mediator, one who stands between; the third party who reconciles two estranged ones.

📖 Biblical Definition

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.

📜 Webster 1828 Definition

One who interposes between two parties at variance for the purpose of reconciling them.

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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.

📖 Key Scripture

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."

⚠️ Modern Corruption

Some traditions multiply mediators (saints, intercessors); Scripture insists there is one.

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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 & Hebrew Roots

Greek mesitēs is the New Testament term.

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Greek mesitēs — one who stands between; mediator, arbiter.

Note: mesos (middle) plus participle ending; the one in the middle.

Usage

"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."

Related Words