The meaning of this verse has drawn numerous different explanations. [1] I think Paul probably meant that a mediator (here the angels, Galatians 3:19) is necessary when two parties make an agreement in which they both assume responsibilities, as in the reciprocal Mosaic Covenant. However a mediator is not necessary when the covenant is unilateral, as when God made the unconditional Abrahamic Covenant. [source][source][source]
Context Summary
Galatians 3:20-29 - The Law Leads To Christ
The Mosaic law was not designed to be the final code of the religious life, but to prepare the soil of the human heart to receive Jesus Christ in all the fullness of His salvation. It was the tutor of the Hebrew people, to enable them to become the religious teachers of mankind. It could not, therefore, take the place of the great covenant of grace, which had been initiated with Abraham before he had received the rite of circumcision, and when he thus stood for all who believe, whether Jew or Gentile. The mistake of those against whom Paul contended was that they treated as permanent a system which was temporary and parenthetic in its significance.
With many individuals now, as with the Hebrew race, there is often a period in which the conscience is confronted with the holy demands of God's law, which men cannot keep; but when they discover the full grace of God in Christ, they no longer suffer at the hand of the schoolmaster, but become as children in the Father's home. They put on Christ and stand accepted in the Beloved, and understand that they are in unity with all who believe. Theirs are all the promises that were made to Abraham, and as his spiritual children they claim their fulfillment. [source]
Chapter Summary: Galatians 3
1He asks what moved them to leave the faith, and hold onto the law 6Those who believe are justified, 9and blessed with Abraham 10And this he shows by many reasons 15The purpose of the Law 26You are sons of God
Greek Commentary for Galatians 3:20
Is not a mediator of one [ενος ουκ εστιν] That is, a middleman comes in between two. The law is in the nature of a contract between God and the Jewish people with Moses as the mediator or middleman. [source]
But God is one [ο δε τεος εις εστιν] There was no middleman between God and Abraham. He made the promise directly to Abraham. Over 400 interpretations of this verse have been made! [source]
Now a mediator is not a mediator of one [ὁ δὲ μεσίτης ἐνὸς οὐκ ἔστιν] Observe, 1. Δὲ isexplanatory, not antithetic. The verse illustrates the conception of mediator. 2. The article, the mediator, has a generic force: the mediator according to the general and proper conception of his function. Comp. the apostle (2 Corinthians 12:12); the shepherd, the good (John 10:11). 3. Ἑνὸς ofone, is to be explained by the following εἷς , so that it is masculine and personal. We are not to supply party or law. The meaning is: the conception of mediator does not belong to an individual considered singly. One is not a mediator of his single self, but he is a mediator between two contracting parties; in this case between God and the people of Israel, as Leviticus 26:46; thus differing from Christ, who is called the mediator of a new covenant (Hebrews 8:6; Hebrews 9:15; Hebrews 12:24). The new covenant, the gospel, was not a contract. Accordingly Galatians 3:20serves to define the true conception of a mediator, and through this definition to make clearer the difference between the law, which required a mediator, and the promise, which is the simple expression of God's will. The very idea of mediation supposes two parties. The law is of the nature of a contract between God and the Jewish people. The validity of the contract depends on its fulfillment by both parties. Hence it is contingent, not absolute. [source]
But God is one [ὁ δὲ θεὸς εἷς ἀστίν] God does not need a mediator to make his promise valid. His promise is not of the nature of a contract between two parties. His promise depends on his own individual decree. He dealt with Abraham singly and directly, without a mediator. The dignity of the law is thus inferior to that of the promise. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Galatians 3:20
Galatians 3:20Now a mediator is not a mediator of one [ὁ δὲ μεσίτης ἐνὸς οὐκ ἔστιν] Observe, 1. Δὲ isexplanatory, not antithetic. The verse illustrates the conception of mediator. 2. The article, the mediator, has a generic force: the mediator according to the general and proper conception of his function. Comp. the apostle (2 Corinthians 12:12); the shepherd, the good (John 10:11). 3. Ἑνὸς ofone, is to be explained by the following εἷς , so that it is masculine and personal. We are not to supply party or law. The meaning is: the conception of mediator does not belong to an individual considered singly. One is not a mediator of his single self, but he is a mediator between two contracting parties; in this case between God and the people of Israel, as Leviticus 26:46; thus differing from Christ, who is called the mediator of a new covenant (Hebrews 8:6; Hebrews 9:15; Hebrews 12:24). The new covenant, the gospel, was not a contract. Accordingly Galatians 3:20serves to define the true conception of a mediator, and through this definition to make clearer the difference between the law, which required a mediator, and the promise, which is the simple expression of God's will. The very idea of mediation supposes two parties. The law is of the nature of a contract between God and the Jewish people. The validity of the contract depends on its fulfillment by both parties. Hence it is contingent, not absolute. [source]
1 Timothy 2:5One mediator [εις μεσιτης] Late word (Polybius, Philo) from μεσος mesos (middle), a middle man. In N.T. only here, Galatians 3:20; Hebrews 8:6; Hebrews 9:15; Hebrews 12:24. Between God and men (τεου και αντρωπων theou kai anthrōpōn). Ablative case (though objective genitive may explain it) after μεσιτης mesitēs (notion of separation) as in Romans 10:12; Hebrews 5:14. Himself man No “himself” (αυτος autos) in the Greek. [source]
Hebrews 9:15Mediator of the new testament [διαθήκης καινῆς μεσίτης] For the new testament rend. a new covenant. See on next verse. For μεσίτης mediatorsee on Galatians 3:19,Galatians 3:20. [source]
What do the individual words in Galatians 3:20 mean?
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: μεσίτης
Sense: one who intervenes between two, either in order to make or restore peace and friendship, or form a compact, or for ratifying a covenant.
Greek Commentary for Galatians 3:20
That is, a middleman comes in between two. The law is in the nature of a contract between God and the Jewish people with Moses as the mediator or middleman. [source]
There was no middleman between God and Abraham. He made the promise directly to Abraham. Over 400 interpretations of this verse have been made! [source]
Observe, 1. Δὲ isexplanatory, not antithetic. The verse illustrates the conception of mediator. 2. The article, the mediator, has a generic force: the mediator according to the general and proper conception of his function. Comp. the apostle (2 Corinthians 12:12); the shepherd, the good (John 10:11). 3. Ἑνὸς ofone, is to be explained by the following εἷς , so that it is masculine and personal. We are not to supply party or law. The meaning is: the conception of mediator does not belong to an individual considered singly. One is not a mediator of his single self, but he is a mediator between two contracting parties; in this case between God and the people of Israel, as Leviticus 26:46; thus differing from Christ, who is called the mediator of a new covenant (Hebrews 8:6; Hebrews 9:15; Hebrews 12:24). The new covenant, the gospel, was not a contract. Accordingly Galatians 3:20serves to define the true conception of a mediator, and through this definition to make clearer the difference between the law, which required a mediator, and the promise, which is the simple expression of God's will. The very idea of mediation supposes two parties. The law is of the nature of a contract between God and the Jewish people. The validity of the contract depends on its fulfillment by both parties. Hence it is contingent, not absolute. [source]
God does not need a mediator to make his promise valid. His promise is not of the nature of a contract between two parties. His promise depends on his own individual decree. He dealt with Abraham singly and directly, without a mediator. The dignity of the law is thus inferior to that of the promise. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Galatians 3:20
See on inheritance, 1 Peter 1:4. The article is generic as in the mediator, Galatians 3:20. [source]
Observe, 1. Δὲ isexplanatory, not antithetic. The verse illustrates the conception of mediator. 2. The article, the mediator, has a generic force: the mediator according to the general and proper conception of his function. Comp. the apostle (2 Corinthians 12:12); the shepherd, the good (John 10:11). 3. Ἑνὸς ofone, is to be explained by the following εἷς , so that it is masculine and personal. We are not to supply party or law. The meaning is: the conception of mediator does not belong to an individual considered singly. One is not a mediator of his single self, but he is a mediator between two contracting parties; in this case between God and the people of Israel, as Leviticus 26:46; thus differing from Christ, who is called the mediator of a new covenant (Hebrews 8:6; Hebrews 9:15; Hebrews 12:24). The new covenant, the gospel, was not a contract. Accordingly Galatians 3:20serves to define the true conception of a mediator, and through this definition to make clearer the difference between the law, which required a mediator, and the promise, which is the simple expression of God's will. The very idea of mediation supposes two parties. The law is of the nature of a contract between God and the Jewish people. The validity of the contract depends on its fulfillment by both parties. Hence it is contingent, not absolute. [source]
See on Galatians 3:19. The word twice in Paul, Galatians 3:29, Galatians 3:20, once of Moses and once generally. In Hebrews always of Christ; Hebrews 8:6; Hebrews 9:15, Hebrews 12:24. This is the only instance in the pastorals. As the one God, so the one mediator implies the extension of the saving purpose to all. [source]
Regular Pauline argument for a universal gospel (Galatians 3:20; Romans 3:30; Ephesians 4:6). [source]
Late word (Polybius, Philo) from μεσος mesos (middle), a middle man. In N.T. only here, Galatians 3:20; Hebrews 8:6; Hebrews 9:15; Hebrews 12:24. Between God and men (τεου και αντρωπων theou kai anthrōpōn). Ablative case (though objective genitive may explain it) after μεσιτης mesitēs (notion of separation) as in Romans 10:12; Hebrews 5:14. Himself man No “himself” (αυτος autos) in the Greek. [source]
For the new testament rend. a new covenant. See on next verse. For μεσίτης mediatorsee on Galatians 3:19, Galatians 3:20. [source]