⁵For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, ⁶who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time.

The One to whom we pray is the one and only God. Prayer is not a worthwhile activity in and of itself, as though it were a form of self-benefiting meditation. It has value precisely because we are communicating with “the” God. There are no others. Nor is this God one of our own creation, as though God can be whoever we want Him to be, as dictated by our needs.

But why does Paul emphasize monotheism at this juncture in his instructions to Timothy? The city of Ephesus, where Timothy resided when Paul wrote this letter, was a Roman city and as such would have made allowances for a pantheon of deities, the most prominent one the so-called “great goddess Artemis” (Acts 19:27), sometimes called “Diana.” Worship of this pagan goddess was connected with a meteorite that had fallen near the city (Acts 19:35), which provoked fear and subsequent worship. The city populace identified with this deity as a source of pride, to the extent that when Paul first preached there, he was accused by those who plied their trade in idol statues of blaspheming Artemis—and they started a near riot. Thus, Paul’s assertion about praying to “one God” is emphasized.

Prayer in the ancient world was mediated through a human priest, as all religions have their form of priesthood. Mere humans need someone close to deity, or at least more holy, to approach deity on their behalf. But with the one true God, there is only one human who is holy enough, close enough to God, to mediate for us. Just as there is only one God, there also is only one mediator.

Paul is now using precise language, so as not to be misinterpreted. He refers to this mediator as “the man Christ Jesus.” He uses the full name, possibly putting His Messianic characteristic first by placing “Christ” before the personal human name “Jesus.” However, he precedes both with “the man,” emphasizing His humanity. The term does not convey masculinity as much as it does being a member of the human race (literally, “anthropos”).

Further, this mediator is described as the one who provided Himself as a ransom for all. Think about this. Christ did not provide a ransom; He was and is the ransom. He is the price that is paid to free us from captivity to sin and condemnation. He was God’s answer to His desire to save all people. His ransom was for “all,” just as His desire was for “all.” And it all happened in God’s timing, with Him in full control.

Lord, thank You for ransoming me and saving me and being my mediator.