### 16. Q. Why must the mediator be a true and righteous man?

**A**. Because God’s justice requires that human nature, which has sinned, must pay for its sin;<sup>1</sup> but a sinner could never pay for others.<sup>2</sup>

<sup>1</sup> [Rom. 5:12, 15](/get-passage/Romans+5:12-15); [1 Cor. 15:21](/get-passage/1+Corinthians+15:21); [Heb. 2:14-16](/get-passage/Hebrews+2:14-16)
<sup>2</sup> [Heb. 7:26-27](/get-passage/Hebrews+7:26-27); [1 Pet. 3:18](/get-passage/1+Peter+3:18)