'Biblical Masculinity' Does Not Exist

Being a man is about maturity

Photo by Birmingham Museums Trust on Unsplash

In the Bible, masculinity and manhood are not contrasted with femininity in the modern sense; rather, they are framed in relation to maturity. The Bible does not provide a specific definition of “biblical masculinity,” and attempts to define it using the term "biblical" often reflect contemporary cultural assumptions more than the biblical text itself.

Furthermore, I am not convinced that what is descriptive in biblical narrative in the life of the church should be automatically considered normative for today for life outside of the church. For example, with advances in modern warfare technology, the Bible offers no clear guidance on whether a woman can serve in the U.S. military in a non-combat role and operate a drone to strike an enemy. Such situations highlight the Bible’s ambivalence on specific gender roles in contemporary contexts.

In the Bible, when men are encouraged not to be effeminate, it is not referring to acting like a woman. Paul is addressing the issue of being morally soft. As Jeffery Hemmer highlights in his book Man Up, drawing from 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 and the Greek word for effeminate in the passage, malakia,

"a man does not practice malakia, which “is the moral softness of self-indulgence, self-centeredness, self-preservation” (10). In other words, a man is not effeminate. “Malakia is a selfish abdication of a higher calling to serve others” (12).¹

Men, don’t be effeminate. That is, don’t live a life characterized by self-indulgence, self-centeredness, self-preservation.

This raises an important hermeneutical issue: should anthropological descriptions be treated as prescriptive norms? It seems that the Bible’s didactic passages provide more clarity in the life of the church, but questions about masculinity in today’s modern contexts were not concerns of antiquity. In societies focused on subsistence living, roles were often dictated by practical necessity rather than abstract ideals, making the relative responsibilities of men and women straightforward within their cultural settings. Today’s Western affluence and technological advancements create opportunities to approach practical life outside the church in entirely new ways.

When defining what makes a man "a man," the emphasis in the Bible seems to be on maturity, not merely on avoiding traits associated with women. So, here’s a sample of how the Bible speaks about this topic.

Encouragements to Be Mature in Faith:

(1) Ephesians 4:13-15 (NIV)—"...until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching..."

This passage calls for believers to grow into maturity in Christ, no longer being spiritually immature and easily misled.

(2) Hebrews 5:12-14 (NIV)—"In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil."

This rebuke emphasizes the expectation that believers should move beyond basic teachings and grow in their spiritual understanding.

(3) 1 Corinthians 14:20 (NIV)—"Brothers and sisters, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults."

Here, Paul encourages believers to think and act with the maturity of adults, especially in matters of spiritual wisdom.

(4) Philippians 3:14-15 (NIV)—"I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you."

Paul calls those who are mature in their faith to continue striving toward Christlike goals.

(5) Colossians 1:28 (NIV)—"He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ."

Paul explains his goal of presenting believers as fully mature in Christ through teaching and admonishment.

(6) 1 Corinthians 13:11 (NIV),—"When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me."

This verse is part of Paul's famous discourse on love and spiritual maturity, where he encourages believers to grow in their faith and understanding, moving beyond childish ways of thinking to more mature, Christlike behavior.

(7) 2 Peter 3:18 (NIV)—"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen."

Peter exhorts believers to continue growing in their knowledge and relationship with Christ.

Rebukes for Lack of Maturity:

(1) 1 Corinthians 3:1-3 (NIV)

• "Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly—mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans?"

• Paul rebukes the Corinthians for their spiritual immaturity, which is evident in their behavior, marked by jealousy and quarreling.

(2) Hebrews 6:1-2 (NIV)—"Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about cleansing rites, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment."

The author urges believers to move beyond basic doctrines and grow in their spiritual understanding.

(3) James 1:4 (NIV)—"Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

James emphasizes the importance of perseverance in trials as a way to grow into spiritual maturity and completeness.

(4) Galatians 4:1-3 (NIV)—"What I am saying is that as long as an heir is underage, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. The heir is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery under the elemental spiritual forces of the world."

This metaphor illustrates the need for spiritual growth, as remaining spiritually immature is compared to being in a state of bondage.

(5) Isaiah 1:2-4 (NIV)—"Hear me, you heavens! Listen, earth! For the Lord has spoken: ‘I reared children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against me. The ox knows its master, the donkey its owner’s manger, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.’"

God rebukes His people for their lack of understanding and spiritual immaturity, comparing them unfavorably even to animals that recognize their master.

(6) Jeremiah 4:22 (NIV)—"My people are fools; they do not know me. They are senseless children; they have no understanding. They are skilled in doing evil; they know not how to do good."

In this rebuke, God calls out the spiritual immaturity and lack of knowledge among the people of Judah, lamenting that they are "senseless children."

The Bible’s emphasis on maturity, rather than rigidly defined gender roles, provides a timeless and transformative framework for both men and women. Attempts to define “biblical masculinity” often reflect cultural assumptions more than biblical truth, as the text itself prioritizes spiritual growth and Christlike character over societal labels. While the Bible does not prescribe specific roles for men and women outside the life of the church, it does call all believers to grow in wisdom, faith, and maturity.

Spiritual maturity, as outlined in Scripture, is the true marker of faithfulness for boys and men. By embracing this call to maturity, boys and men can fulfill their God-given purpose, impacting the world and reflecting the redemptive story of God’s Kingdom in every sphere of life.

David Gilmore Is Descriptive, Not Prescriptive: Moses

In “Man Among Men,” Steven McGregor explores the essence of manhood, challenging the idea that it can be reduced to a list of qualities or roles. Drawing parallels from debates about Edmund Burke and cultural definitions of masculinity, McGregor argues that manhood is not defined by traits like courage or strength, which are shared with women, but by unique roles within the family and society. Drawing on Christian theology, he emphasizes that roles like son, brother, husband, and father are sacred, transcending individual achievements and grounded in divine creation. These roles, marked by love, commitment, and a striving for the eternal, define manhood as an existence shaped by relationships and responsibility, rather than static qualities or societal demands. McGregor makes this particular observation about view of manhood that were too narrow:

I first realized the limitation. . .when reading Manhood in the Making (1990) by the anthropologist David Gilmore. He doesn’t refer to seasons directly, but he does use roles to define men. Surveying cultures across the world, he finds that “to be a man . . . one must impregnate women, protect dependents from danger, and provision kith and kin.”

Gilmore’s anthropological observations have often been interpreted to define masculinity in terms of men aspiring to procreate, protect, and provide. However, this interpretation lacks a basis in biblical anthropology and is not exclusive to men. One could just as easily argue that women also aspire to procreate, protect, and provide—although in unique ways at times. Sociologically and biologically, men and women—fathers and mothers—have historically fulfilled these roles in distinct ways across various societies. Surveying cultures worldwide, one might conclude that “to be a woman” involves bearing children, protecting them and others from danger, and providing for their needs, much like the expectations placed on men.

In fact, redemptive history continued because a woman procreated, protected, and provided for Moses. The early life of Moses showcases how women played crucial roles in his survival and advancement through procreation, protection, and provision. Jochebed, his mother, bore Moses during a time when Pharaoh decreed the death of all Hebrew baby boys (Exodus 1:22–2:2). Despite the danger, she courageously gave birth and hid him for three months. When she could no longer conceal him, she placed him in a waterproof basket and set him afloat on the Nile, entrusting his fate to God (Exodus 2:3). His sister Miriam watched over him from a distance, ensuring his safety and offering protection in a dire situation (Exodus 2:4). Pharaoh’s daughter discovered Moses and, moved by compassion, chose to adopt him despite knowing he was a Hebrew child. She provided him with a royal upbringing, granting him access to education, resources, and opportunities that prepared him for his future leadership (Exodus 2:5–10). Jochebed’s involvement continued as she was hired by Pharaoh’s daughter to nurse Moses, ensuring his Hebrew heritage and faith were instilled during his early years (Exodus 2:7–9). These acts of procreation, protection, and provision by Jochebed, Miriam, and Pharaoh’s daughter collectively shaped Moses into the leader who would later deliver the Israelites from bondage.

Here's my point: “procreating, protecting, and providing” as a singular mission is not a distinctive “masculine” role in contradistinction from women in the Bible.

What I’m Not Saying

Please don’t hear what I’m not saying. For example, I am not saying that men and women are not different or that the practical realities of life in human society don’t sometimes require men and women to take on roles that the other gender cannot fulfill. Men are generally physically stronger than women, so it makes sense to have men fighting other men in war. Women, on the other hand, can breastfeed, which men cannot do. My point is that the Bible, as an ancient text, is not written to answer modern questions about “gender roles” outside of life in the church. That is simply not the Bible’s aim. The text does not address these questions, and it is wrong to misuse the Bible by trying to make it answer questions it was not written to address.

To be honest, I think the entire fundamentalist debate between complementarianism and egalitarianism about gender roles outside the life of the church may be a prime example of what Paul warned against: “foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless” (Titus 3:9), as some might argue.

This debate has led to people cherry-picking Bible verses to provide proof texts that support their social and cultural preferences, which misuses the text in the process. The Bible is not a weapon for culture wars; it has a unique and specific purpose within the household of faith. Again, within the biblical narrative, both men and women are called to procreate, protect, and provide.

What, Then, Is “Biblical Masculinity” (if there is such a thing)

Answer: Maturity. A godly man demonstrates maturity in his faith and life, which impacts every aspect of his existence—at church, at home, at work, in his local community, in his country, and throughout the world. He participates in the ongoing story of God's Kingdom and redemptive history. He uses his power, presence, and strength to benefit those around him in accordance with what the Bible teaches. The Bible calls men not to behave like little boys but to “act like a man” (1 Corinthians 16:13), watching their life and doctrine closely (1 Timothy 4:16), keeping themselves from idols (1 John 5:21), loving God and neighbor (Matthew 22:37–39), and so on.

I may not be able to proof-text “biblical masculinity” but I can proof-text what it means for boy or a grown man to be mature in his faith. We have unnecessarily muddled this entire discussion.

Conclusion

The pursuit of defining "biblical masculinity" has often led to misreadings and misuse of Scripture, imposing modern cultural frameworks onto an ancient text that was not intended to address such questions. The Bible does not present a distinct "masculine" ideal in contrast to femininity but rather calls men to maturity in faith and action. Both men and women are equally tasked with procreating, protecting, and providing, as seen in the example of Moses' early life. Jochebed, Miriam, and Pharaoh’s daughter collectively demonstrate how these roles transcend gender, underscoring the shared responsibilities of humanity in God’s redemptive story.

Ultimately, the Bible’s emphasis is not on prescribing gender roles outside of the life of the church but on calling men to maturity in Christ. Masculinity, then, is not defined by cultural or societal constructs but by a man’s growth in faith, love, and responsibility within the Kingdom of God. By focusing on maturity rather than modern sociological roles, we honor the Bible’s intent and its call to live as God’s image-bearers in the world.

Here’s a secret the Enemy doesn’t want you all to know: if we focus on cultivating men who grow in wisdom and stature before God and others, and who become mature in their faith as the Bible commands, the practical, day-to-day outworking of this will take care of itself. The Holy Spirit himself does that work. Every society thrives when godly boys and men live with maturity and faithfulness, which is why one of Satan’s primary strategies for undermining the Kingdom of God often involves targeting boys and men for destruction, either directly or indirectly.

1. Beckett, Joshua. “Man Up: A Review.” The Lutheran Column, September 28, 2022.