“At the heart of mature masculinity is a sense of benevolent responsibility to lead, provide for and protect women in ways appropriate to a man’s differing relationships.” – John Piper, What’s the Difference?

1) This definition helps us understand much regarding masculinity as defined by Biblical commands, principles and examples.

2) Biblical masculinity is firstly a sensed responsibility (I Cor 16:13). A man must recognise his gender is not an accident, and thus his makeup must affect his actions. A responsibility means he has a trust, a stewardship from God which is not for selfish gain or ego-satisfaction.

3) Biblical masculinity’s responsibility is controlled by love (I Cor 16:14). His responsibility is more than getting ‘a job done’, it is to love those he encounters in appropriate ways. His manhood is for the good of womanhood.

4) The responsibility is to be a spiritual and physical leader, provider and protector.

5) As a leader this means – he is an initiator, planner, organiser and supervisor.

Biblical leadership:

• expresses itself in a desire to serve and sacrifice – not be served. (Luke 22:26; 12:37)
• does not assume the authority of Christ, it advocates it (Ephesians 5:23,25)
• accepts the burden of the final say in disagreements, without presuming to always use it.
• provides a strong and tender pursuit in romantic and physical relations.
• takes the initiative for disciplining children when both parents are present. (1 Ti 2:8-10)

6) As a provider this means the burden of responsibility for spiritual and physical provision rests upon the man. This does not preclude the wife from contributing toward the household income (Proverbs 31). However, the Bible places this responsibility in the lap of the man (I Tim 5:8).

• Provision means he teaches his family and others (Deut 6:6-7). He is a resource of knowledge for his wife and family (I Cor 14:35).
• He is to provide prayer for his family – as the priest who acts on behalf of them (Job 1).

7) As a protector, he is charged to protect women from what may harm them physically and spiritually (I Cor 16:13). Christ was willing to lay down His life for our good (Eph 5:25).

• He should be aware of the spiritual dangers of worldliness, false teaching and sin, and how it may enter the lives of his children and wife or fellow Christians.

8) His masculinity is not confined to marriage. He is still charged to discern how best to express, or at least ‘sense’ his masculinity in differing circumstances – courtship, business, school, college, and church.