So how should we understand what Paul says in the verse in question, 1 Timothy 2:5? Let’s first consider the context. In 1 Timothy 2:1-7 Paul is encouraging that prayers and intercession be made for all men, all people, as that follows God’s desire to save everyone. Paul points to his own assignment as a teacher of the gentiles, or non-Israelite nations, toward this end. Moreover, he shows that this desire of God has been made plain through the ultimate intercession of the mediatory work of Christ.

A mediator is a go-between who intercedes between multiple parties, representing the interests of each in bringing the sides together. Look at what Paul stated earlier in Galatians 3:20: “Now a mediator does not mediate for one only, but God is one.” Why did he say this? He was talking there about God having obligated Himself to fulfill promises of inheritance made to Abraham—promises that required no mediation, as God was the only party with terms to fulfill by His own declaration (Galatians 3:18). This was in contrast to, in the same discussion, the law or legal system given to Israel “appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator” (Galatians 3:19)—in that case Moses—under which terms both God and the people had obligations.

The Amplified Bible renders Galatians 3:20 as follows, including the clarifications in brackets: “Now the mediator or go-between [in a transaction] is not [needed] for just one party; whereas God is only one [and was the only One giving the promise to Abraham, but the Law was a contract between two, God and Israel; its validity depended on both].” Note that the reference to God as “one” in this verse is not in terms of God as a single Being. Rather, it refers to God as “one party” in terms of mediation or not. A party in such terms can denote an individual or a group on one side of an agreement.

So now let us return to 1 Timothy 2:5. It begins, as often translated, “For there is one God . . .” Yet, while a true statement in and of itself, we should consider that there does not seem to be a clear reason for Paul to say this in the immediate context. At issue here is not monotheism, the existence of only one God, but mediation to save all people.

Some render the opening phrase of the verse differently. The original Greek word order is “one, for God,” with no “is” (that having to be inserted in translation). Some render the phrase as “For God is one” (Complete Jewish Bible, Green’s Literal Translation). It can also be translated “For one [is] God” (Young’s Literal Translation, brackets in original). The focus here could be that on one side or one hand is God and that One, Christ, is Mediator between God and the other side, human beings. The Living Bible paraphrases the point of the verse this way: “That God is on one side and all the people on the other side, and Christ Jesus, himself man, is between them to bring them together.”

This could also be read to say that, in reference to God’s desire to save all people, One is in the position of God as the offended party to be reconciled to (the Father), and One is in the position of doing the reconciling as Mediator.

Referring to Christ as Mediator and Man here does not exclude Christ from being God. Yet some read the phrase “one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus,” in this very way—as He is specified to be “the Man” and not God. It should be pointed out that in the original Greek there is no definite article “the” before “Man.” Some render the phrase here as “a man” or “Himself human.” That does not deny Christ’s divinity. It simply stresses that the One serving as Mediator for people was Himself a human being. Consider that Jesus is able to represent both sides perfectly in His mediatory work by virtue of having been both God and man.

But why is the human aspect stressed here? Because it was critical to the means of mediation and reconciliation—His death. Note the statement as it continues into the next verse: “. . . one mediator between God and humankind, Christ Jesus, himself human, who gave himself a ransom for all” (1 Timothy 2:5-6, New Revised Standard Version). It was only through becoming human that Jesus was able to die for man’s sins. Yet we should remember that it was because He was God that His death was able to pay the ransom for the sins of all humanity.

Furthermore, it’s been pointed out that since Christ’s mediatory role is also one of intercession for others as High Priest, the only way that Jesus could serve as Mediator for all human beings as they come before God is if He is omniscient as God along with the Father—and indeed He is.

In any case, there is nothing in 1 Timothy 2:5 and surrounding verses that denies Jesus being God along with the Father. Paul goes on to declare Him to be God. And this is the consistent message of the New Testament.