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1 Corinthians, authority, correction, criticism, ESV Study Bible, leadership, masculinity, men, Proverbs, Solomon
There is an exhortation in 1 Corinthians 16:13 that’s so simple, it’s easy to overlook: “act like men”. I know there are hundreds of ways to misconstrue that exhortation. It’s entirely possible to read cultural assumptions into it that just aren’t there. I won’t say any more about that for now, though, than this — it would be wise to recognize the danger, and try to avoid it.
According to the ESV Study Bible, the command in 1 Corinthians is rooted in Old Testament passages that admonish men “to act with courage and strength in obedience to the Lord and with confidence in his power (see Deut. 31:6–7, 23; Josh. 1:6–7, 9; 10:25; 1 Chron. 28:20; Ps. 27:14).”
I suspect that most men, myself included, often find that harder to do than we’d like to admit. I have wanted to be a real man my whole life, but there are times, even now, when I feel like I’m just a little boy trying to learn how to become a man. I have, more than once, prayed the very prayer Solomon prayed in 1 Kings 3: “I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in… Give your servant therefore an understanding mind…” Solomon was a deeply flawed man, but God was pleased with this particular request (1 Kings 3:10) and with the humility that lay behind it.
Below are a just a few brief (and poorly developed) thoughts about what it might mean to “act like men”. Consider them a conversation starter. I chose these particular qualities because I think they’re generic enough to apply to all men and young men, whether married or single. For the record, I don’t have any of these down pat and know I have a lot of room improvement on some points.
- I think it means becoming good at both giving and receiving correction. When disagreement or conflict arises, most of us are naturally inclined either to shrink away from it, or to react too sharply to it. The Art of Manliness is not a Christian website, but it contains a lot of good (and sometimes funny) articles about masculinity. For instance, there’s a lot of good practical advice in this article on giving and taking criticism like a man. From a biblical standpoint, the book of Proverbs has a lot to say about giving and receiving correction.
- I think it means being an initiator — at home, in the church, and on the job. That’s how godly men are portrayed throughout Scripture. They take the initiative to lead, serve, resolve problems, reconcile differences, and provide for the needs of others, rather than passively waiting around for someone else to do so.
- I think it means being submissive to authority (Rom. 13:1; Heb. 13:17). This quality complements the previous one. Men should aim not only to lead well but also to follow well, to exercise authority and submit to authority, all simultaneously.
A lot more could be said, but I’m out of time. Feel free to agree with, disagree with, or elaborate on anything I’ve said.
What characteristics would you add to this list?
who am i? 
As a woman, I have always read this to mean, “act like a mature adult”, just as I interpret “brethren” (as does the ESV in its footnotes) to imply the sisters too. For me, to suddenly make the language here gender-specific takes Paul’s letter away from me and makes it something only directed at men. Consider the rest of the verse. I am a woman, does the command to be watchful not apply to me? How about “stand firm in the faith”, or “be strong”, or “Let all that you do be done in love”? Was this letter not directed to the whole church?
Now, that said, I have always sensed that it implies we behave with courage in the face of hardship and danger.
That’s a good question, Laurie. You’ve made me think a little more deeply about the passage, and that’s always good. Here are just a couple of brief thoughts.
The command may very well be addressed to everyone (and probably is), but I don’t think that would negate the fact that it implies there is a specific way men should act (like men), which was the main point of my post. Second, leaving aside for a moment the question of whether this is a gender specific command, I do think it’s important to recognize that there are gender specific (and other group specific) instructions throughout Scripture, but that doesn’t diminish the importance of the passages that contain them for everyone else. I’m thankful that God has chosen to directly address various specific groups in his word.
Thanks again for making me think harder!
I agree wholeheartedly with the fact that there are gender and group specific instructions in Scripture, and that we all benefit from those instructions, whether they are particularly applied to us or not. I am also well aware that you have nothing but the highest regard for your sisters in Christ. Apologies if I sounded curt. I recently read a blog which bemoaned the fact that the ESV, in its notes, consistently interprets “brothers” to mean “brothers and sisters”. Referencing the exact Scripture you are discussing here, she (yes, it was a woman) rather ironically went on to question the translators and argue that the whole book was in fact written to the men in the church and that women ought to limit themselves to teaching younger women how to be good wives and mothers.
I found this deeply distressing, as my hope is found in the Scriptures. It is through them I know my Savior, through them that He communicates and transforms me, and through them that I can communicate His good news and hope to others. To think that they are not for me, in whatever sense is devastating. Can I truly only learn of Christ through the filter of the nearest man? I know this is not even close to what you are saying, but I think it may help to explain why I desperately cling to all of Scripture.
Just to avoid misunderstanding, I would like to preface my next statement by making it clear that I DO believe in male headship in marriage, and that this does imply authority. I do not have an egalitarian agenda in all this.
In answer to your initial questions I would like to humbly submit that godly manhood means being like Christ, who led by example, becoming a servant and so teaching us to serve as well.:
“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
and this:
“But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant,”
and, of course, this:
” Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.[ In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body. “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”
As a woman, I would also like to add that Adam did not do this for Eve. He stood by and listened, saying nothing as she was beguiled. Either he, himself doubted the veracity of God’s command, or else he did not care what happened to his wife. Whichever the case, he did not step in to protect her or to stop her. God had told him that eating that fruit would lead to death, yet he watched her eat it and did nothing. When she did not die, well… you know the rest. A godly man believes God’s word and steps in to protect those in his care who are being tempted by sin.
Thanks for elaborating on your original comment, Laurie, and for putting it in context. I certainly understand why comments like those you mentioned would be distressing to you. On a related note it seems clear, just a few chapters earlier in 1 Corinthians, that women actively participated in corporate worship, praying and prophesying (11:5) in church.
Your addition to the characteristics of a godly man belongs, of course, at the very top of the list. Christ-likeness is the true fountain and only source of every other godly character trait. Thanks again!
You’re missing an important one: Not abusing authority (Matt. 20:25-28; Mark 10:42-45; Luke 22:25-27; Eph. 5:21, 25-33; Eph. 6:4 & 9; Col. 3:19 & 21).
I completely agree, Jenny. There are several qualities that could be added to the list, and that is an important one. Thanks!
I think there could be at least one more possibility for Adams non-interference with Eve’s taking the fruit. Love. Although misplaced. There are times l think l should step in and speak up to my wife and do not. Is this insecure love? Is the fact that l know in my heart that l married up in life and that my wife married below herself hold me back at times from saying the difficult truth? (My wife would disagree that she married down, but that does not negate my fears.) So, am l less of a man for believing in the veracity of God’s commands and for being very concerned for my wife’s welfare, yet at times unable to live up to God’s (And my own!) expectations of manhood?
Fortunately, no. A major aspect of mature manhood is understanding and accepting who l am in Christ at this moment on my journey towards eternity. (Or perhaps it is better stated “on my journey WITHIN eternity.) I am less than l would be. If it was otherwise there would be no mark for me to strive up toward. I realize it was different for Adam. We really have no idea what it was like for Adam before the Fall. Creation was so different then! But after eating the fruit! The shame and the self-abasing that Adam must have felt are well within the scope of any man’s personal doubts and fears.
Agape!