Thoughts on Biblical Manhood

In a world where the meaning and purpose of manhood are often misunderstood or distorted, the Christian faith offers a clear, scriptural vision for what it means to be a man. Drawing from Larry Bray’s “Thoughts on Manhood” as presented at Semper Reformanda, and supported by the historic Christian tradition, we can articulate a vision of manhood that is both countercultural and deeply rooted in the Word of God.

From Childishness to Maturity: The Call to Grow Up

Bray begins with Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 13:11:

“When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.”

This verse sets the tone for a biblical understanding of manhood: it is fundamentally about maturity. The transition from boyhood to manhood is not merely biological but spiritual and moral. A biblical man is called to put away childishness—selfishness, irresponsibility, and impulsiveness—and embrace the weight of responsibility, wisdom, and self-control.

Responsibility and Leadership: The Mandate from Creation

The Christian vision of manhood is grounded in the creation account. Adam was given the task to work and keep the garden, to exercise dominion, and to lead his family in obedience to God (Genesis 2). This mandate is not about domination or pride, but about responsible stewardship and servant leadership.

“The essential difference between men and women is one of responsibility. Men…have more responsibility for the tasks, people, and institutions that God has given them. Men are uniquely created to bear leadership responsibility in all of creation but especially in the church and the family.”

This leadership is not a license for tyranny but a call to sacrificial service, modeled after Christ Himself—the true and perfect man.

Work, Provision, and Diligence

Bray emphasizes that real masculinity is substantiated as a man endeavors to become a good worker. In a day when manhood is often reduced to machismo, violence, or superficial traits, Scripture calls men to diligent labor, self-discipline, perseverance, and financial prudence. Laziness and disorganization are to be mortified, and men—whether single or married—are to establish themselves in meaningful vocations.

“The single Christian man should give himself to the priorities God set for Adam while he was yet single. The single Christian man needs to establish himself in a viable vocation. So too that married man, who gives his family a sense of protection and provision, is far more respected than a man whose incompetence as a worker renders his family vulnerable to financial insecurity.”

This is not to say that a man’s worth is found in his paycheck, but that his willingness to provide and protect is a tangible expression of godly responsibility.

Spiritual Leadership and Communication

A biblical man is not only a provider but a spiritual leader. He understands life as defined by the Word of God and can communicate God’s truth in love. His leadership in the home and church engenders confidence and security, not fear or uncertainty. This is echoed throughout the New Testament, where husbands are called to love their wives as Christ loved the church (Ephesians 5:25), and fathers are to bring up their children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4).

Chastity, Integrity, and Countercultural Courage

Bray, quoting Augustine, laments a culture where chastity is mocked and lechery is celebrated. The biblical man is called to sexual purity and fidelity, standing firm against the tide of cultural immorality. This often means being willing to be misunderstood or even ridiculed for one’s convictions.

C.S. Lewis’s warning is apt:

“We make men without chests and expect of them virtue and enterprise. We laugh at honor and are shocked to find traitors in our midst. We castrate and bid the geldings be fruitful.”

Biblical manhood requires courage—the courage to stand for truth, to reject the world’s definitions, and to pursue holiness.

Christ: The True Model of Manhood

Ultimately, the vision of manhood finds its fulfillment in Christ. Jesus is the second Adam, the man who succeeded where Adam failed. He was both strong and gentle, courageous and compassionate. He led with authority but served with humility. He laid down His life for His bride, the church, setting the ultimate example for all men.

“The message of the Bible is that nobody could fulfill the standards of manhood. But from the dawn of human history, the world has never stopped looking for that man. So God became man and showed us how to be a man. Jesus was that man, the man that Adam could never be.”

Practical Applications: Becoming the Men Our Families, Churches, and Society Need

What does this look like in daily life? Bray and the Christian tradition call men to:

• Cultivate a strong work ethic and provide for those entrusted to their care.
• Lead spiritually, guiding their families and communities in the truth of God’s Word.
• Practice self-discipline, integrity, and sexual purity, resisting the temptations of the age.
• Love sacrificially, as Christ loved the church, putting the needs of others before their own.
• Grow in maturity, continually putting away childish ways and striving for Christlike character.

Conclusion: The Glory of God in Biblical Manhood

Biblical manhood is not about asserting dominance, fulfilling cultural stereotypes, or seeking personal glory. It is about embracing the responsibilities given by God, serving others in love, and reflecting the character of Christ. Such men are desperately needed—in our homes, our churches, and our society. May God, by His grace, raise up a generation of men who answer this high calling, for His glory and the good of His people.

“Here, gentlemen, is where the challenge of our manhood lies. Here is the profile of godly manhood: a man who can diligently labor and provide for his home; a man who understands life as defined by the Word of God and who can communicate God’s truth in love; a man whose leadership engenders confidence and security to those over whom he has responsibility. Such are the men our families desperately need. Such are the men our churches desperately need. Such are the men our society desperately needs. Such are the men who glorify God. We may well ask ourselves, ‘Am I such a man?’”