Gender Roles Pt 2 Manhood

True Manhood: The Call to Work and Lead

In today’s world, there’s a lot of confusion surrounding gender roles, especially when it comes to men and women’s roles in the home and church. Our culture often promotes the idea that men and women are the same, even pushing the notion that women might do some things better than men. However, this mindset doesn’t align with the truth found in the Bible. The Scriptures present distinct roles for men and women, particularly in two key areas: work and leadership.

The Biblical Call to Work

From the beginning, God’s design for man was to work and lead. In Genesis 2:15, God places Adam in the garden to “work it and keep it,” a command that was given before the Fall. Work is part of God’s good creation—intended to be purposeful and satisfying. While sin brought a curse on work, making it difficult and frustrating (Genesis 3), redemption through Christ renews our relationship with work. As believers, we are called to work to the glory of God, even amidst challenges.

Romans 8:20-21 reminds us that creation itself will one day be freed from its bondage to sin, and through our work, God’s redemption is extended into the world. Men, this means that your work is not a necessary evil; it is an opportunity to glorify God. Whatever you do, do it to the best of your ability, as a service to Him (1 Corinthians 10:31).

The Role of Leadership in Manhood

The second calling on a man’s life is leadership. God’s design for leadership began with Adam, the first man, and extends throughout Scripture. Leadership is not a sign of superiority but a responsibility to serve others, particularly within the family and the church. In Genesis 2, Adam was created first, and Eve was created as a helper. While this order does not imply any inherent inequality, it does establish a leadership role for men in the home.

Sin, however, twisted this design, causing a conflict in the relationship between men and women. Genesis 3:16 tells us that women would desire to dominate their husbands, and men often responded with harshness. Through Christ, however, men are called to lead with humility, love, and gentleness, not with domination.

Husbands as Leaders in the Home

Paul’s instructions in Ephesians 5:21-33 further clarify this role of leadership, particularly within the home. Ephesians 5:21 encourages mutual submission in the Christian life, but this submission is qualified. Husbands are called to love their wives sacrificially, just as Christ loved the church. This love is not just about grand gestures; it’s in the everyday actions—helping with chores, leading spiritually, and taking the initiative in the home.

Men are called to set the spiritual tone of their homes, guiding their families in the knowledge of the Lord through prayer, devotion, and Bible study. The example of Christ, who gave His life for the church, becomes the model for how men are to lead their wives and families—sacrificially, humbly, and with great love.

Leadership in the Church: Men Called to Serve

In 1 Timothy 3:1-7, Paul outlines the qualifications for church leadership, specifically for elders. Elders are tasked with preaching, teaching sound doctrine, and guiding the church in fulfilling the Great Commission. These roles are reserved for men who meet the biblical qualifications. The leadership in the church is not about dominance, but about taking responsibility for the spiritual well-being of the congregation.

Just as men are called to lead in the home, so too are they called to lead in the church, according to the example of Christ. These roles are designed to reflect Christ’s sacrificial leadership. This leadership is not about power or control, but about serving the people of God and leading them into spiritual maturity.

A Call to True Manhood

While these biblical roles may seem countercultural in today’s world, they represent God’s good design for men. Men are called to work and lead, but this is not a call to dominate. It’s a call to serve—both in the home and in the church. True manhood, according to the Bible, is about fulfilling these roles with humility, love, and a deep desire to honor God in all things.

For men today, this is an opportunity to rise to the occasion. Whether in your home, workplace, or church, you are called to be a leader. This leadership is not about power, but about responsibility and service. It’s time to embrace the calling to be true men—working hard for the glory of God, and leading with self-sacrifice, humility, and love.

Conclusion: Following Christ’s Example

How are you stepping up to fulfill your role? Let us all seek to lead our families and churches in a way that brings honor to God, remembering that Christ, the ultimate leader, laid down His life for us. May we do the same.