It is a biblical fact, that Jesus is our salvation; we may write it: 1) in him, 2) by him, 3) through him, and 4) by means of him. One fact stands clear in the New Testament, that without Jesus there would be no salvation for even one person!
As Paul wrote, with the Jew and the Gentile in mind, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). Earlier, Paul had quoted from the Old Testament these words: “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one” (Rom. 3:10, here Paul is referring to Psa. 14:1-4 and Psa. 53:1-4). That mankind was and is in need of a savior is without question! So, who would be the savior of lost mankind? It would be he of who John, the apostle, wrote: “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). Mankind’s savior would be, that flesh and blood body in which Deity dwelt and his name is Jesus (Matt. 1:21). Now, think on this; if Deity without the flesh and blood body of Jesus, could have saved mankind, there would not have been any reason for the reality of “the Word” being “made flesh!” It appears that there were two reasons for “the Word” (Deity) being “made flesh:” 1) that he would be the means of salvation for mankind, and 2) that he would declare God unto mankind. Having already pointed out the name given “Jesus” means salvation (Matt. 1:21), we turn our attention to the second point: that “the Word was made flesh” to declare God to mankind. John wrote: “No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him” (John 1:18). Here we take a little time to notice the words “at any time,” (Greek, popote). Strong gives us this: “at any time, at no time.” This is a very strong negative, as in an absolutely not! Thus, without Jesus God would have continued to be a total unknown in the areas which Jesus would “declare!” John’s words are pointing to the character, the nature of God. Without Jesus how would mankind have ever known of God’s love, of God’s kindness, of God’s compassion, and how would mankind have ever known of God’s desire to save mankind? Before leaving this verse, let us look at the word “declare.” It is the Greek “exegeomai” and Strong says it means: “to consider out (aloud), that is, rehearse, unfold: – declare, tell.” Jesus would unfold in his words the beautiful nature of God and in Jesus’ action, as he walked among men, he would speak aloud in his actions the character, the nature of God. Thus, Jesus came to declare God to mankind!
In the above, we come to God’s desire to save mankind; and it is God’s desire to save mankind! Hear Paul as he wrote: “Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth’ (1 Tim. 2:4). Paul ties being “saved” with “to come unto the knowledge of the truth!” Jesus also addressed this subject, when said: “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). Coming to “the knowledge of the truth” requires studying and learning; through this means man can “come unto the knowledge of the truth!” Allow me to just add this thought, many read, some even learn some “truth,” but this is not, Paul’s “to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” Why is this true? It is in the word “knowledge” that Paul used. He used the Greek word, “epignosis” and this word means: “precise and correct knowledge” (Thayer). “Knowledge” as used by Paul does not mean a little, or incorrect knowledge, but “precise and correct knowledge!” This is the “knowledge” that is in Jesus’ “and ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free!”
This brings us to God’s desire. How would God go about fulfilling his desire? Paul continues: “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (verse 5). Notice the words “the man Christ Jesus.” Here Paul has pointed out, there is but “one mediator between God and men” but who is he? Please read with care these words: “the man Christ Jesus” The words, “the man,” is the Greek “anthropos” and Strong gives this: “manfaced, that is, a human being: – certain, man.” So, just who is this “certain, man?” Paul answers: “the man Christ Jesus.” Therefore, we have, “the Word was made flesh,” who is the “certain, man;” who is the anointed savior: Jesus! Now, looking with care at Paul’s next words: “Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” Many people miss the true meaning of the word “ransom.” Thayer gives: “what is given in exchange for another as the price of his redemption, ransom.” Jesus did not take our place, but he was the “price” required for our freedom from Satan, who held us in bondage. In our sin, we were the servants of Satan, in bondage to Satan! The “certain” man Jesus, who was “the Word was made flesh;” thus, he was all that was required to be our “ransom.”
It is now required that we understand how Jesus was qualified to be the “ransom” of mankind. Peter will tell us: “Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously” (1 Pet. 222-23). No other member of mankind was perfect, as in being without sin; therefore, Jesus, the seed of woman, the flesh, as in “the Word was made flesh,” could be “the ransom” for mankind. Jesus stood by himself, as the one on the cross, shedding his blood as he paid the “ransom” for our sins! Jesus did not take our place on the cross, as we are unqualified to be upon the cross!
Frank R. Williams