Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of mediation in the Bible is deeply rooted in the relationship between God and humanity, where a mediator acts as an intermediary to reconcile the two parties. This role is essential in understanding the nature of divine-human interaction, especially in the context of sin and redemption.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, the role of a mediator is often seen in the context of the covenant relationship between God and Israel. Moses is the quintessential mediator, acting as the intermediary between God and the Israelites. In
Exodus 20:19, the people of Israel express their fear of direct communication with God, saying to Moses, "Speak to us yourself, and we will listen. But do not let God speak to us, or we will die." Here, Moses serves as the mediator who conveys God's laws and commandments to the people.
The priesthood, particularly the high priest, also serves a mediating role. The high priest enters the Holy of Holies once a year on the Day of Atonement to offer sacrifices for the sins of the people (Leviticus 16). This act symbolizes the mediation necessary to maintain the covenant relationship between God and His people.
New Testament FulfillmentIn the New Testament, the concept of mediation reaches its fulfillment in the person of Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul writes in
1 Timothy 2:5, "For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." Jesus' role as mediator is central to the New Testament's message of salvation. Through His sacrificial death and resurrection, He bridges the gap caused by sin, offering reconciliation with God.
The Book of Hebrews elaborates on Christ's mediating role, comparing Him to the high priests of the Old Testament.
Hebrews 9:15 states, "Therefore Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, now that He has died to redeem them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant." Here, Jesus is portrayed as the ultimate mediator who inaugurates a new covenant, superior to the old, by offering Himself as the perfect sacrifice.
Theological ImplicationsThe role of a mediator underscores the holiness of God and the sinfulness of humanity. It highlights the necessity of an intermediary to restore the broken relationship between the Creator and His creation. In the Old Testament, this was achieved through the law and sacrificial system, while in the New Testament, it is accomplished through the person and work of Jesus Christ.
The mediating work of Christ is foundational to Christian theology, emphasizing the exclusivity of Christ as the sole mediator. This is reflected in the doctrine of salvation, where faith in Christ is the means by which individuals are reconciled to God. The mediatorial role of Christ assures believers of their access to God, as expressed in
Hebrews 4:16, "Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."
Practical ApplicationUnderstanding the concept of mediation encourages believers to appreciate the significance of Christ's work and the access they have to God through Him. It also serves as a model for interpersonal relationships, where believers are called to be peacemakers and agents of reconciliation, reflecting the mediating work of Christ in their lives.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v.) To coordinate negotiations between two parties.
2. (a.) Acting by means, or by an intervening cause or instrument; not direct or immediate; acting or suffering through an intervening agent or condition.
3. (a.) Gained or effected by a medium or condition.
4. (v.) To be in the middle, or between two; to intervene.
5. (v.) To interpose between parties, as the equal friend of each, esp. for the purpose of effecting a reconciliation or agreement; as, to mediate between nations.
6. (v. t.) To effect by mediation or interposition; to bring about as a mediator, instrument, or means; as, to mediate a peace.
7. (v. t.) To divide into two equal parts.
Greek
3315. mesiteuo -- to interpose,mediate... to interpose,
mediate. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: mesiteuo Phonetic Spelling:
(mes-it-yoo'-o) Short Definition: I
mediate, interpose Definition: I
...Strong's Hebrew
3547. kahan -- to act as a priest... A primitive root, apparently meaning to
mediate in religious services; but used
only as denominative from kohen; to officiate as a priest; figuratively, to put
...6419. palal -- to intervene, interpose
... interpose NASB Word Usage expected (1), intercede (2), interceded (1), interposed
(1), made judgment favorable (1), make supplication (1),mediate (1), pray (36...
Library
How the Demons CanMediate Between Gods and Men if they have...
... Chapter 13."How the Demons CanMediate Between Gods and Men If They Have Nothing
in Common with Both, Being Neither Blessed Like the Gods, Nor Miserable Like...
Of the Passions Which, According to Apuleius, Agitate the Demons...
... Book IX. Chapter 6."Of the Passions Which, According to Apuleius, Agitate the
Demons Who Are Supposed by Him toMediate Between Gods and Men....
Division of Actual Grace
... This illumination of the intellect by grace may be eithermediate or immediate.
It ismediate if grace suggests salutary thoughts...
On the Sufficiency and Perfection of the Holy Scriptures In
... (Romans 10:17; 1 Corinthians 1:28; 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14; Genesis 3:9-19; xii,
1-3; Ezekiel 2:5; v, 1-3. (2.) From its causes, into immediate andmediate....
Whether Fate is in Created Things?
... I answer that, As is clear from what has been stated above ([947]Q[22], A[3];
[948]Q[103], A[6]), Divine Providence produces effects throughmediate causes....
On the Ecclesiastical Ministrations of the New Testament and on...
... X. The vocation to such ecclesiastical offices is either immediate ormediate.
Immediate vocation we will not now discuss. But that...
On the First Sin of the First Man
... THE CAUSE OF THIS SIN. IV. The efficient cause of this sin is two fold.
The one immediate and near. The other remote andmediate....
Whether a Man Can Merit an Increase of Grace or Charity
... There is a final term, and also amediate term which is both beginning and term
at once. Now the reward of an increase of grace or charity is amediate term....
The Helvetic Consensus Formula. AD 1675.
... oppressions of the Reformed Church in France. [928].MEDIATE AND IMMEDIATE
IMPUTATION [929]. All Augustinians and Calvinists agree in the...
Of the Man Christ Jesus, the Mediator Between God and Men.
... Good angels, therefore, cannotmediate between miserable mortals and blessed immortals,
for they themselves also are both blessed and immortal; but evil angels...
Thesaurus
Mediate (1 Occurrence)... for the purpose of effecting a reconciliation or agreement; as, to
mediate between
nations.
... Multi-Version Concordance
Mediate (1 Occurrence).
...Intercede (12 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vi) Tomediate; to intervene. 2. (vi) To act
between parties with a view to reconcile differences; to...
Josephus
... Returning to Palestine with Titus, he proceeded tomediate between the Romans and
the Jews, earning the suspicion of the former, the hatred of the latter....
Interpose (2 Occurrences)
... 4. (vi) To be or come between. 5. (vi) To step in between parties at variance;
tomediate; as, the prince interposed and made peace....
Flavius
... Returning to Palestine with Titus, he proceeded tomediate between the Romans and
the Jews, earning the suspicion of the former, the hatred of the latter....
Dark (234 Occurrences)
... Both Paul and the rabbis feel the difference betweenmediate and immediate vision,
the revelation which requires dark figurative language as a vehicle and the...
Meditation (15 Occurrences)
... In Apocrypha we have "to meditate" (Ecclesiasticus 14:20, "Blessed is the man that
shallmediate in wisdom," the Revised Version margin "most authorities read...
Mediates (1 Occurrence)
Media's (1 Occurrence)
Between (2624 Occurrences)
... of which another is the agent or subject; as, to judge between or to choose between
courses; to distinguish between you and me; tomediate between nations....
Resources
What does it mean that Jesus is our mediator? | GotQuestions.orgIs prayer to saints / Mary biblical? | GotQuestions.orgWhy did Abraham bargain with God in regard to Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 18)? | GotQuestions.orgMediate: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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