Theological glossary · FaithLogic

Mediator

A go-between who reconciles two estranged parties — in the New Testament, the one person, Jesus Christ, God and man, who reconciles God and humanity.

Greek mesitēs, 'one in the middle'; an arbiter, guarantor, or covenant-broker in legal and covenantal usage.

1 Timothy 2:5 ('one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus'); Galatians 3:19–20; Hebrews 8:6; 9:15; 12:24; Job 9:33 (LXX, the lack he supplies).

The mediation is grounded in the incarnation — only one who genuinely belongs to both parties can represent each to the other. The church organises the mediatorial work under the threefold office (prophet, priest, king). Hebrews makes Christ the mediator of a 'better covenant'.

The mediation is exclusive ('one mediator'), matching the 'one God' of the same verse, and covenantal — Christ guarantees and inaugurates the new covenant by his blood.

Whether and how the saints or Mary can be said to have a subordinate, intercessory role (Catholic, Orthodox) or whether that compromises the 'one mediator' (Protestant).

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