Bulletin Articles
Act Like Men
“Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love” (1 Cor 16:13-14). These are Paul’s instructions to the Christians at Corinth as he closed out a difficult letter that dealt with multiple problems. “Act like men” is the phrase we want to think about. What is this idea expressing?
Telling someone to “act like a man” can take on differing connotations depending on context. Paul’s instructions are not about telling someone to act like the male gender. He isn’t making a statement about manly mannerisms, tough talk, or living up to some kind of macho cultural expectations. This is not glorified strongman talk. Rather, Paul is making a statement that is about one’s spiritual condition, faith, and actions relative to a relationship with God. In the broad sense, this isn’t a gender specific instruction, for all Christians need to take on the principles underlying the point being made. Being watchful and standing firm in the faith is for everyone. What, then, is this point?
First, the idea is to be courageous. The next phrase says, “be strong.” We can note here that being strong and courageous are linked concepts. This appears to echo what Joshua was told as he was about to lead the people across the Jordan into the promised land: “Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go” (Josh 1:6-7). The previous instructions correspond: be watchful and stand firm. Courage is a cardinal virtue, and all Christians need to act with courage, especially while living in a world that is hostile to Christ and His people. In other words, “Do not be afraid”; foster fortitude.
Second, the point is about maturity. It’s a way of saying, “Grow up” or “Don’t act like children.” This fits with what Paul wrote in the Ephesian letter. Christians are to be equipped to serve, “until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ...” (Eph 4:13-15). The maturity of God’s people is paramount to growth and unity.
God wants His people to be strong and courageous, to be mature followers, growing out of spiritual childhood into a more complete understanding. The Hebrews writer said that “everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil” (Heb 5:13-14). In other words, “act like men.” Grow up and act with maturity, putting away childish things: “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” (cf. 1 Cor 13:11).
“Act like men” is about seeking to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord. It’s about growing to maturity in Christ and exercising our senses to discern right and wrong. It’s about standing for the faith and being courageous in a hostile world. The same principles apply to both male and female.
For example, men and women in Christ will: seek to know God through Christ; seek to know the will of God through the Spirit’s revelation; determine to grow in His grace and knowledge; determine to live with wisdom; commit to the Lord and His way; deny self to follow Christ; serve one another in love. The list can go on.
Within these, of course, we can speak of praying, studying, teaching, and other good works. Being men and women is not culturally defined by modern contexts but rather refined by the God who made us in His image and manifested through our growth in knowing Him. Male and female are not identical, of course, and they are called to what God wants from each, but this is still under the umbrella of seeking God’s will, committing to His way, and denying self to live for Him. “Act like men” is not about men acting like they are macho and tough, as if they are in some western spitting tobacco and challenging people to duels; it’s about taking courage in Christ and standing firm in the faith. It’s about committing to the Lord’s way and staying faithful. It’s about doing all that we do in love. All disciples are called to this level of faithfulness and commitment.
