MEDIATOR (.11eo-trns, mediator') is a word peculiar to the Scriptures (see Beza, Annot. in Gr. Test.), and is used to signify an intemuncius, or ambassador, one who stands as the channel of communication between two contracting parties. Some commentators think that the Apostle Paul, in Gal. iii. 19, calls Moses mediator, because he conveyed the expression of God's will to the people, and reported to God their wants, wishes, and de terminations. In reference to this passage of Scripture, Basil (De Spiritu Sancta, cap. xiv.) says, Mosen figuram representasse quando inter Deum et populum intermedius extiterit.' Many ancient and modern divines, however, are of opinion that Christ himself, and tot Moses, is here meant by the inspired apostle, and this view would seem to be confirmed by comparing Dent. xxxiii. 2 with Acts vii. 38-52. Christ it was who, surrounded by angelic spirits, communicated with Moses on Mount Sinai. On this point the words of the learned and pious Chrysostom, on Gal. iii., are very express : Here,' says he, Paul calls Christ Media tor, declaring thereby that he existed before the law, and that by him the law was revealed.' This application of the passage will be the more evident If we consider the scope of the apostle's argument, which evidently is to point out the dignity of the law. How could he present a clearer demonstra tion of this than by showing that it was the second person of the ever-blessed Trinity who stood forth on the mount to communicate between God the Father and his creature man ! Moreover, to con tradistinguish Christ's mediation from that of Moses, the former is emphatically styled /.4601T7)S KpEiTTOPOS
Scathjtcns (Heb. viii. 6).
Christ is called Mediator by virtue of the recon ciliation he has effected between a justly offended God and his rebellious creature man (see Grotius, De Satisfactione Cli lsti, cap. viii.) In this sense of the term Moses was, on many occasions, an eminent type of Christ. The latter, however, was not Mediator merely by reason of his coming becween God and his creatures, as certain heretics would affirm (see Cyril Alex. Dial. I. de Sancta Trinitate, p. 410); but because he appeased his wrath, and made reconciliation for iniquity. Christ is the Mediator,' observes Theophylact, commenting on Gal. iii., of two, i.e., of God and man. He exercises this office between both by making peace, and putting a stop to that spiritual war which man wages against God. To accom plish this he assumed our nature, joining in a marvellous manner the human, by reason of sin unfriendly, to the divine nature.' Hence,' he adds, he made reconciliation.' Oecumenius ex presses similar sentiments on the same passage of Scripture. Again, Cyril, in his work before quoted, remarks : He is esteemed mediator be cause the divine and human nature being disjointed by sin, he has shown them united in his own per son ; and in this manner he reunites us to God the Father.'—J. W. D.