For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all men - the testimony given in its proper time.
Paul's first letter to Timothy, Chapter 2 verse 5 & 6 (NIV)
A Vital Truth
- Why does this text starts with "For"?
To give a reason to the previous verse.
- What does that verse say?
That God wants all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
- How is God called in that verse?
"God our Saviour"
- What is meant by a Saviour?
One who heals or sets free.
- What do we learn from this?
That God wants to heal and to set free everybody.
- Why did Paul write about this?
Because he was encouraging us to pray, intercede and give thanks for everybody.
- How does he show that doing this is right?
This is acceptable for God because He, as a Saviour, wants everyone to come to the knowledge of the truth.
- How does the verse enforce this lesson?
It teaches that God is One and that He has appointed one Mediator.
- What can we learn from the fact that there is only One God?
There is only one God who saves, not multiple gods for various circumstances or in other religions.
A Special Connection
- How did God show his willingness to save all men?
By appointing a Mediator
- How many Mediators are there?
There is only One.
- What is a Mediator?
An advocate, (solicitor) one who stands between two parties to make peace.
- Between which parties does this Mediator go?
Between God and mankind.
- Who is the Mediator?
The man Christ Jesus.
- What does this text tell us about our Lord Jesus Christ?
That He is a Mediator and is himself (also) a man who gave himself for us.
- Why are the words "the man, Christ Jesus" put into the text?
To show that the Mediator must be truly one with us.
- What great truth does this teach us?
That God can only deal with men through our Lord Jesus Christ, but also that He can deal with all men through Him.
- Why do we need a mediator?
Because we are all sinners, we have broken God's laws.
- What previous text do we have that teaches that all need a Mediator for that reason?
Text 1: Romans 3:23
- What text spoke about God's love that provided the Mediator?
Text 4: John 3:16
A Divine Offering
- How did our Lord become the Mediator?
He gave himself as a ransom for all.
- What is a "ransom"?
The price paid to set free or buy back a captive.
- What is meant by saying that our Lord Jesus gave Himself as a ransom for all men?
That He offered up His life to God on behalf of all men.
- Does the word men include male and female?
Yes, the Greek word for men does include both male and female.
- From what did our Lord Jesus Christ ransom us?
From the curse of the law (Galatians 3:13)
- How did the Lord Jesus Christ ransom us?
By taking the curse due to us upon Himself.
- Why could we not ransom ourselves?
Because we have nothing to give in exchange for our souls. (See Matthew 16:26)
- What does this teach us about the Mediator?
That the Mediator must be able to offer a sacrifice and stand in his own merit before God.
- What three things are therefore needed for a Mediator?
He must be equal with God, one with men, and able to offer a sacrifice that puts away sin
- How many can satisfy this test?
Only one, our Lord Jesus Christ.
A Clear Testimony
- What does this text add to this message? The testimony is given in its proper time.
- What does this mean?
It means that God has provided a proper time for the declaration of the truth that our Lord Jesus Christ is the Mediator Who gave himself as a ransom for all.
- When did that time come?
When God appointed preachers and Apostles to declare this great news.
- How did Paul see a fulfilment of this purpose of God?
Paul became a teacher and Apostle to the Gentiles
- How did that show that the fullness of time had come?
This removed the restriction that brought God's truth to one people only and made it world-wide.
- What is the great means of testimony?
The preaching of the Gospel (Good News) of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Text Six
Adapted from:
"The one hundred texts of the society for Irish Church Missions."
T.C. Hammond, Dublin. 1939