For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
Ver. 5. For there is one God] sc. Both of kings and subjects, both of heathens and Christians. Go boldly to him therefore, for yourselves and others. "Have we not all one Father?" Malachi 2:10; "Art not thou our Father?" Isaiah 63:16; "O Lord" (saith the Church in Habakkuk), "art not thou from everlasting my God, mine Holy One?" It was a bold question, but God approves it, and assents to it in a gracious answer ere they went further: "We shall not die," say they abruptly; by a cast of God's countenance they could tell so much. So true is that of Jamblichus a heathen (but herein he speaks more like a Christian), Supplicatio familiares et Deorum domesticos facit eos, qui ea utuntur. Prayer gives a humble boldness and a holy familiarity with God unto those that use it; and again, prayer, saith he, is like a key whereby we may open God's treasury, and take out of it plentiful mercy for ourselves and others.
Between God and men] Gr. of God and men; he is God for the business with God; and man, for the business with man.
One Mediator] Not of redemption only (as the Papists grant), but of intercession too. We need no other master of requests in heaven, but the man Christ Jesus, who being so near us in the matter of his incarnation, will never be strange to us in the business of intercession. But what horrible blasphemy is that of the Papists, who in their devotions say thus, By the blood of Thomas Becket, which he did spend, make us, Christ, to climb where Thomas did ascend! (Acts and Mon.)