1 Timothy 2:5-7: Preaching the Ransom of a Mediator
2021-09-18
1 Timothy 2:5
“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5)
There is one God, and we have all sinned against Him. All sin is ultimately offense against God. When David committed adultery with Bathsheba and murdered her husband, the renowned king said, “Against thee, thee only, have I sinned” (Psalm 51:4). There is no mention of sinning against Uriah the Hittite. Who knows how much choice Bathsheba had in the matter, since the king of Israel was pursuing her, so maybe there was sin against her? However, ultimately, whatever sin there is, it is against the Lord, because He is the moral lawgiver of the universe.
Jesus Christ was the mediator between God the Father and sinful humankind. There is no other. The Catholic religion proposes that Mary the mother of Jesus is a “mediatrix.” That doctrine is clearly false, because there is “one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5). There is no other way of salvation. Jesus is the only one who can reconcile us to the Father.
1 Timothy 2:6
The Son of God “gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time” (1 Timothy 2:6). This verse shows that the Calvinist doctrine of limited atonement is wrong. The context here demands that “all” must mean everyone, not just the elect, because we were just speaking of worldly rulers. If the Son gave His life for all, wouldn’t He want everyone to be saved? If Jesus went through the wrath for everyone’s sins, you better believe that He wants to make sure that all can hear and be saved! The doctrine of limited atonement is rejected because of verses like this. He died for all; He wants all to receive what He has offered. He wants a full return on His investment! The church must deliver on sharing the gospel everywhere to maximize returns.
1 Timothy 2:7
Paul is “ordained a preacher, and an apostle” (1 Timothy 2:7) of this Mediator, Jesus Christ. His apostleship was a commandment of the Lord mentioned in 1 Timothy 1:1. Paul is a “teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity,” which is not without controversy. Serving Gentiles was listed first in his duties. When he mentioned this to the throng in Jerusalem, they stopped listening to him and wanted to kill him (Acts 22:21-22).
How does this apply to us today? The Gentiles were the ones who were not in the “in” crowd religiously. Whoever is not in our “in” crowd would be anyone who we deem different and beyond hope. Race? Ethnic? Cultural? Gender? Financial status? Sexuality? See how it is not without controversy? Everyone needs the gospel. Jesus would “have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.”
As discussed previously, Paul’s role as an apostle and preacher was a commandment of the Lord. From an earthly perspective, having such authority might have a lot of appeal, until they learn that it comes with much persecution and spiritual warfare.
Nonetheless, the apostle tells us that “I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not.” Considering that the original audience was Timothy, it seems odd that he would include this here. Maybe he wrote this here because so many had questioned his apostleship in places like Corinth and Galatia. His apostleship was clear because “Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds” (2 Corinthians 12:12).