Meaning, commentary and cross references
1 Timothy 2:5
“For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,”In other translations
KJV · King James Version
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
NIV · New International Version
For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus,
WEB · World English Bible
For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,
What does 1 Timothy 2:5 mean?
John Gill · Exposition of the Entire Bible, on 1 Timothy 2:5
For there is one God,.... This does not so much regard the unity of God, with respect to himself, or his divine essence, though that is a truth; but does not carry in it any apparent and forcible reason why all men should be prayed for, for which it is produced; but the unity of God with respect to men, as that there is but one God, who is the Creator of all men, and who, in a providential way, is the Saviour of all men; and in a way of special grace is the one God, the one covenant God of all sorts of men, of Jews and Gentiles; for he has taken of the latter into the covenant of his grace, as well as the former, and has loved them with a special and distinguishing love, has chosen them in…
John Gill, Exposition of the Entire Bible (1746–63). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Matthew Henry · Commentary on the Whole Bible, on 1 Timothy 2:1–8
(6.) Paul was ordained a minister, to declare this to the Gentiles, that Christ is the one Mediator between God and men, who gave himself a ransom for all. This is the substance of which all ministers are to preach, to the end of the world; and Paul magnified his office, as he was the apostle of the Gentiles, Rom 11:13. (7.)
Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
John Calvin · Commentaries, on 1 Timothy 2:5–7
5. Unus enim Deus, unus et Mediator Dei et hominum, homo Christus Iesus, 6. Who gave himself for all, to be testified in due time. 6. Qui dedit semetipsum pretium redemtionis pro omnibus, (ut esset) testimonium temporibus suis, 7.
John Calvin, Commentaries (Calvin Translation Society English text). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Context: 1 Timothy 2:2–8 (WEB)
2for kings and all who are in high places, that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and reverence. 3For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4who desires all people to be saved and come to full knowledge of the truth. 5For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6who gave himself as a ransom for all, the testimony at the proper time, 7to which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle—I am telling the truth in Christ, not lying—a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. 8I desire therefore that the men in every place pray, lifting up holy hands without anger and doubting.
Cross references
- 1 Corinthians 8:6
yet to us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and we live through him.
- Galatians 3:20
Now a mediator is not between one, but God is one.
- Hebrews 9:15
For this reason he is the mediator of a new covenant, since a death has occurred for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first covenant, that those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.
- Hebrews 7:25
Therefore he is also able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, seeing that he lives forever to make intercession for them.
- Deuteronomy 6:4
Hear, Israel: The LORD is our God. The LORD is one.
- Hebrews 12:24
to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better than that of Abel.
- John 1:14
The Word became flesh and lived among us. We saw his glory, such glory as of the only born Son of the Father, full of grace and truth.
- Isaiah 44:6
This is what the LORD, the King of Israel, and his Redeemer, the LORD of Armies, says: “I am the first, and I am the last; and besides me there is no God.
Key words
In the Baptist Catechism
- Q25. Who is the Redeemer of God’s elect?
The only Redeemer of God’s elect is the Lord Jesus Christ, who, being the eternal Son of God, became man, and so was and continues to be God and man, in two distinct natures and one person, forever.