How does the Pope interpret this verse

[cath0lic]

For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men—the testimony given in its proper time. (1 Tim. 2:5-6)

 

[Fidelis]

For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6who gave himself as a ransom for all men—the testimony given in its proper time. (1 Tim. 2:5-7)

How does the Pope interpret this verse? How would we know? Why don’t you ask him?

 

[cath0lic]

I am asking because, as a Catholic I’m not capable of interpreting and the Pope is the leader. Do you know how to get an answer from him? Do you have a direct line?

There are just things in the Bible, I’d like to understand. But as a Catholic, are we able to or not?

Please, don’t answer me sarcastically. I am looking for answers.

 

[1ke]

I am asking because, as a Catholic I’m not capable of interpreting

Really? How odd.

and the Pope is the leader.

Yes, he is the leader of the Church.

Do you know how to get an answer from him? Do you have a direct line?

Popes and Bishops are busy people. But, that is why they publised the Catechism. The Catechism is a teaching document, created to help people learn the doctrines of the faith and understand things like how to read and interpret scripture. There’s a whole section of the Catechism just on that topic-- Chapter 2, Articles 1, 2, and 3.

Also, the Vatican II document Dei Verbum (Word of God) is another excellent resource.

There are just things in the Bible, I’d like to understand. But as a Catholic, are we able to or not?

Then, perhaps obtaining a Catholic Study Bible and attending a bible study would be a good start. You can even get bible studies online from Catholic Exchange if your local parish does not have a bible study.

Please, don’t answer me sarcastically. I am looking for answers.

It is puzzling that you would place this question in the Non-Catholic Religions forum. The Scripture forum would have been a more logical choice.

I’m not sure exactly what you do not understand about the verse you quoted. It’s quite straightforward. Can you elaborate? The Catechism covers this topic here, especially paragraph 618.

 

[cath0lic]

Really? How odd.

Yes, he is the leader of the Church.

Popes and Bishops are busy people. But, that is why they publised the Catechism. The Catechism is a teaching document, created to help people learn the doctrines of the faith and understand things like how to read and interpret scripture. There’s a whole section of the Catechism just on that topic-- Chapter 2, Articles 1, 2, and 3.

Also, the Vatican II document Dei Verbum (Word of God) is another excellent resource.

Then, perhaps obtaining a Catholic Study Bible and attending a bible study would be a good start. You can even get bible studies online from Catholic Exchange if your local parish does not have a bible study.

It is puzzling that you would place this question in the Non-Catholic Religions forum. The Scripture forum would have been a more logical choice.

I’m not sure exactly what you do not understand about the verse you quoted. It’s quite straightforward. Can you elaborate? The Catechism covers this topic here, especially paragraph 618.

I am here because I am trying to figure out what it is I believe. I am looking for answers.

I have used a Catholic Bible for study and it doesn’t address some of the verses I read, only a select few. My church doesn’t offer Bible study groups.

It seems as a Catholic the bible is not to have any authority, is this correct? Is there any purpose in reading it then?

 

[cath0lic]

Also, I’m new here and haven’t discovered all the different topics and all the postings. I didn’t know there was a Scripture thread. But thanks for the heads up.

 

[Genesis315]

That verse means that Christ is the sole mediator of justice between man and God–in other words, we cannot be justified before God except through Him.

Some anti-Catholics try and use that verse to say we shouldn’t ask Mary and the other saints to pray for us, as they are other mediators. But one person praying for another does not make them a mediator of justice–even anti-Catholics ask their fellow Christians to pray for them.

 

[b_justb]

For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men—the testimony given in its proper time. (1 Tim. 2:5-6)

Try this article it might help.

Or this one from New Advent.

Or this pdf file is pretty good too.

Enjoy. Peace.

p.s. None of these links is from His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, but it does have sound Catholic teaching on the subject.

 

[AquinasT]

The verse you cited about the mediatorship of Christ is commonly used to oppose the Catholic idea of the papacy and Church authority, the role of the priesthood and the Sacraments, etc. The idea among Protestants is - if Jesus is our SOLE mediator then no other person or object or church should get between you and Jesus.
I cannot speak for the Pope or any other Catholic, but as for me, I see that argument as closed minded. It limits how God works and it ignores the relationship between Christ and His Church.
I think you have to ask yourself: HOW does Jesus mediate for us? HOW do we encounter Jesus and receive His Grace if He is to be our sole mediator? I believe that Jesus mediates for us precisely THROUGH the Church, the priests, the pope, the Sacraments, etc. He established these things so that He CAN mediate on our behalf. The Church is the Body of Christ. An authentic encounter with the Church is an encounter with Jesus. We find our mediator (Jesus) in the institution He left behind for that purpose.
Thomas

 

[abucs]

Would you guys agree that through Christs willingness and act of suffering for our sins that we are redeemed by God if we are abiding in Him ?

It is this faithful union or ‘abiding in Him’ with all that entails that is our mediation with God.

Many actions, including following Christs teachings, honouring Him, being humble, doing penance, reflection, being obediant etc may help us to abide in Christ.

Talking with the saints, including Mary may help us in these actions and thus help with our ‘abiding with Christ’ which is the mediation with God ?

 

[PaulDupre]

Would you guys agree that through Christs willingness and act of suffering for our sins that we are redeemed by God if we are abiding in Him ?

It is this faithful union or ‘abiding in Him’ with all that entails that is our mediation with God.

Many actions, including following Christs teachings, honouring Him, being humble, doing penance, reflection, being obediant etc may help us to abide in Christ.

Talking with the saints, including Mary may help us in these actions and thus help with our ‘abiding with Christ’ which is the mediation with God ?

Good points all.

God bless you,
Paul

 

[1ke]

It seems as a Catholic the bible is not to have any authority, is this correct?

No, that is not correct.

Again, I suggest you get a Catechism, or go to the link I provided.

Is there any purpose in reading it then?

Of course there is! As St. Jerome said, “Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ.”

Scripture is a very integral part of the Catholic Faith. I’m not sure where you have gotten the idea it isn’t.

Here is what the bishops have to say in the Catechism about Scripture in the life of the church:

131 “And such is the force and power of the Word of God that it can serve the Church as her support and vigor, and the children of the Church as strength for their faith, food for the soul, and a pure and lasting fount of spiritual life.” Hence “access to Sacred Scripture ought to be open wide to the Christian faithful.”

132 “Therefore, the study of the sacred page should be the very soul of sacred theology. The ministry of the Word, too - pastoral preaching, catechetics and all forms of Christian instruction, among which the liturgical homily should hold pride of place - is healthily nourished and thrives in holiness through the Word of Scripture.”

133 The Church "forcefully and specifically exhorts all the Christian faithful. . . to learn the surpassing knowledge of Jesus Christ, by frequent reading of the divine Scriptures. Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ.

 

[AgnosTheist]

That verse means that Christ is the sole mediator of justice between man and God–in other words, we cannot be justified before God except through Him.

Some anti-Catholics try and use that verse to say we shouldn’t ask Mary and the other saints to pray for us, as they are other mediators. But one person praying for another does not make them a mediator of justice–even anti-Catholics ask their fellow Christians to pray for them.

mediator of justice? are there different kinds of mediators in the catholic point of view? are people praying for you serving as a type of mediator? and whats a mediator anyway? i know what it is from the dictionary, but catholics may have their unique definition for it.

 

[1ke]

mediator of justice? are there different kinds of mediators in the catholic point of view? are people praying for you serving as a type of mediator? and whats a mediator anyway? i know what it is from the dictionary, but catholics may have their unique definition for it.

I believe this provides a good summary of what is meant by Christ’s mediation.

 

[Neil_Anthony]

For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men—the testimony given in its proper time. (1 Tim. 2:5-6)

Hi Catholic,
That verse is one that non-Catholics sometimes say contradicts the notion of asking Mary and the Saints to pray for us. Is that why you are asking?
Jesus really is the mediator between God and men. In fact Jesus was both God and a man, so he is the perfect mediator. Basically for man to come to God, it has to be through Jesus.

Even Mary (and any Saint) has to come to God through Jesus. When we ask Mary to pray for us, we’re asking her to intercede for us with Jesus, her Son. We hope that because she is Jesus’ mother, she can help us in our relationship with him. Like at the wedding at Cana when people asked Mary to get Jesus to help them with the lack of wine.

I hope that helps!

Neil

 

[AgnosTheist]

I believe this provides a good summary of what is meant by Christ’s mediation.

you call that a ‘summary’? its a mile-long article written by lawyers! i was hoping for a couple of sentences written in plain english.

 

[1ke]

you call that a ‘summary’? its a mile-long article written by lawyers! i was hoping for a couple of sentences written in plain english.

It’s a few paragraphs written by Bishops.

 

[ralphinal]

We must understand what a mediator is first. A mediator is defined as one who brokers a treaty. So, there is only one person who has brokered a treaty between God and man. How was this treaty brokered? With the suffering and death of Jesus. His sacrafice sealed the deal. There is no salvation outside of the name of Jesus. Why? Because no one else sealed the deal between God and man.

Cath0lic,
As a rule, there are very few verses that have been explained by the Church in sucha way there there is only one acceptable way to beleive it. These verses generally have to do with the sacraments or important doctrines.

 

[Ignatius]

I am asking because, as a Catholic I’m not capable of interpreting and the Pope is the leader. Do you know how to get an answer from him? Do you have a direct line?

The pope is a human being. He is not in direct, constant communication with each of the 1,200,000,000 Catholics around the world. The Authentic teaching of the Catholic Church complete with correct understanding of Scripture can best be found in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. It can be found on line here: vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM.

First, read the entire Bible to get a good sense of the total context, and then attend a good Catholic Bible study, if one doesn’t exist then start one yourself; your parish priest or the parish catechist will be happy to help you. Then, if after studying the Catechism thoroughly, if you still have questions seek out a good Spiritual Councilor for guidance

 

[Ignatius]

you call that a ‘summary’? its a mile-long article written by lawyers! i was hoping for a couple of sentences written in plain english.

Hi AT. The Catechism is a brief synopsis, i.e. it is not a full and complete explanation. What you are asking is akin to asking “Explain all that exists in a couple of sentences in plain English”. I doubt even a single miniscule sliver of it, like quantum mechanics, could be explained in a couple of sentences in plain English.