Mediator

Definition and Meaning

The Korean term for mediator, jungboja (中保者), means "one who stands in the middle and guarantees," and refers to someone who brings about reconciliation between two divided parties. It translates the New Testament Greek word mesitēs. In Christian theology, it denotes the one who unites God and human beings, who have been estranged by sin. Protestant denominations confess Jesus Christ as the one Mediator. 1 Timothy 2:5–6 states that there is "one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus."

Biblical and Historical Background

In the Old Testament, Moses stood between God and the people at Mount Sinai. The priests offered sacrifices and came before God on behalf of the people. In Job 9:32–33, Job laments that there is no "daysman betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both."

In the New Testament, Galatians 3:19 states that the law was "ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator." Hebrews 8:6–13 presents Christ as "the mediator of a better covenant," and the Epistle to the Hebrews as a whole portrays Christ as the eternal High Priest. Romans 8:33–34 and 1 John 2:1–2 describe Christ as the advocate who even now intercedes for believers. Romans 8:26 records that the Holy Spirit also intercedes for believers.

The teaching that the Mediator must be both truly God and truly human has been handed down since the early church. During the Reformation, John Calvin set out Christ's mediatorial work in terms of the three offices of prophet, priest, and king (the threefold office). The Westminster Confession of Faith treats this subject in Chapter 8, "Of Christ the Mediator," and the Heidelberg Catechism explains in question-and-answer form why a mediator is necessary for salvation.

The Roman Catholic Church likewise regards Christ as the one Mediator. However, it recognizes the intercession of Mary and the saints as a participation within that one mediation. Protestants do not accept the practice of asking the saints for their prayers.

Practice in the Korean Church

Korean denominations differ little in understanding Christ as the one Mediator. The common Korean practice of closing prayers with "We pray in the name of Jesus Christ" is likewise grounded in this confession and in passages such as John 16:23–24.

Korean churches commonly call prayer offered on behalf of others jungbo gido (literally "mediatorial prayer," i.e., intercessory prayer), and many congregations run intercessory prayer meetings or intercessory prayer teams. Some pastors and theologians hold that the term jungbo (mediation) should be reserved for Christ alone. They therefore argue that it should be replaced with dogo, the Korean rendering of "intercessions" in 1 Timothy 2:1, or with jungjae gido ("prayer of intercession"). Those who continue to use the term, by contrast, consider its idiomatic use acceptable, since it signifies praying for one's neighbors in reliance on Christ's mediation.