What is a Man?

“So God created man in His own image.” – Genesis 1:27

Nowadays there’s a lot of confusion in our culture about manhood. What is a “man” as opposed to a boy? Is there any difference between being a “man” and simply being a responsible adult? And with so much talk about “gender fluidity,” so-called experts can’t tell us in plain English what a man is. But God’s Word cuts through the confusion and reveals what true manhood looks like.

In the book of Genesis, we read that man and woman were created according to God’s kind (Gen. 1:26) – first man, then woman. Since man was created FIRST, and God is a God of order, the clear implication is that man was given the place of headship in the family. Although both men and women are created in the image of God, He designed each of them differently, so that each can more effectively carry out his/her God-given roles.

Ephesians 5 gives us a more detailed description of man’s role in his household. By God’s design, a man is the Patriarch, Pastor, Prophet, Provider and Protector in his family.

Let’s take a quick look at these 5 P’s of biblical manhood:

1. Man has been called by God to be the PATRIARCH of his family. “Patriarch” is defined as “a male head of his family.” In Ephesians 5, we learn what kind of leader God calls a patriarch to be. While married women are to submit to and respect their husbands (v. 22), married men are given two commands: Lead (v. 22-24) and Love (vs. 25 and 33).

2. Man has been called by God to be the PASTOR in his home. To be the pastor in your own home means to be the spiritual leader and shepherd. Men: As the spiritual shepherd, it is YOU who should lead your family in reading the Bible and praying together every day.

3. Man has been called to be the PROPHET in his home. To be the prophet means to be one who speaks and lives out God’s Word with clarity. You must love your wife and kids with a selfless, sacrificial agape love (vs. 25-27). Take the initiative to seek God, listen to His Word, and communicate God’s Word to your family.

4. Man has been called to be the PROVIDER in his home. As the provider, you must work hard to meet the practical and financial needs of your family (v. 29). Now, there is not a “Thou shalt not work outside the home” command for Christian women. But, sadly, far too many men don’t have a valid excuse for shirking their God-given responsibility to provide for the practical needs of their family.

5. Man has been called to be the PROTECTOR of his household. A protector is one who lifts his shield of faith and protects his family from physical, moral and spiritual harm. Paul writes in Ephesians 5:25: “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her.” Jesus’ life and death were all about humble self-sacrifice. In agape love, He gave Himself up for us. And a man must do the same—humbly give himself up for his wife and kids.

In our day, when so many people are confused about manhood, God’s Word provides beautiful clarity. A man is created by God as distinctively male and is called by God to be the leader in his family.

Dane Davis is the pastor of Impact Christian Church in Victorville. Join us at Impact for Sunday services at 9am: at 17746 George Blvd., or at 9 a.m. on Facebook Live or YouTube. For more information, visit www.GreaterImpact.cc.