001_What Does the Bible Mean by "Act Like Men"?

Scripture Focus
1 Corinthians 16:13-14
"Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love."
The Call
You are commanded to act like a man. This is not cultural opinion. Rather, it is apostolic instruction. Paul wrote these words to the entire Corinthian church, but the command to "act like men" is specifically masculine. The Greek word is andrizomai, which means to conduct yourself with courage and strength. It means to be a man in the way God designed men to be. This is your calling.
The command comes in a series. Be watchful. Stand firm in the faith. Act like men. Be strong. Let all that you do be done in love. These are not separate commands. They work together. To act like a man is to be watchful, to stand firm, to be strong, and to do everything in love. Biblical manhood is courageous faithfulness. It’s strength used for the good of others. It’s obedience under pressure.
The Word Explained
Paul wrote this letter to a troubled church. The Corinthians struggled with division, immorality, confusion about worship, and questions about the resurrection. Throughout the letter, Paul corrected their errors and called them to faithfulness. As he closed, he gave them final exhortations. Among them was this command: act like men.
The context matters. Paul was not talking about physical strength or cultural masculinity. He was talking about spiritual maturity and moral courage. The Corinthians were acting like children. They were quarreling, dividing, tolerating sin, and questioning the gospel. Paul called them to grow up. He called them to stand firm. He called them to conduct themselves with the courage and strength that God expects from men.
To act like a man in Scripture means to take responsibility. It means to stand firm when others waver. It means to protect the weak and guard the truth. It means to lead with courage and love. This is what God designed men to do. Adam was formed first and given responsibility for the garden.1 He was commanded to work it and keep it. The Hebrew word for "keep" means to guard, to protect, to watch over. Adam was appointed as a protector. He was given strength to use for the good of others.
When Adam failed, he failed in his masculinity. He was passive when he should have been active. He was silent when he should have spoken. He ate the fruit his wife gave him without resisting.2 He abdicated his responsibility. This is the opposite of acting like a man. To act like a man is to take responsibility, to guard what God has entrusted to you, and to lead with courage.
Paul's command applies to every area of life, but it applies especially to your home. You are called to be watchful over your household. You are called to stand firm in the faith when your family is tempted to drift. You are called to be strong when challenges come. You are called to do all of this in love. This is what it means to act like a man.
Christ the Pattern
Christ is the true Man. He stood firm under pressure. He remained obedient when others fell away. He guarded His people with His life. He was strong enough to endure the cross. He did everything in love.3 When you act like a man according to Scripture, you imitate Christ. You lead as He leads. You love as He loves. You stand firm as He stood firm.
The Weight of Leadership
This command is not optional. You cannot decide whether you want to act like a man. God has already decided for you. You are a man. You have been given strength, authority, and responsibility. The question is whether you will steward what God has given you. Will you be watchful or careless? Will you stand firm or compromise? Will you be strong or passive? Your household is watching. God is watching.
Faithful Practice
Memorize 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 this week. Say it aloud each morning. Let it shape how you think about your calling.
Identify one area where you have been passive. Confess it to God and decide today how you will take responsibility.
Ask your wife this question: "Is there an area where you need me to be stronger or more decisive?" Listen carefully to her answer.
Pray daily for courage. Ask God to make you the kind of man who stands firm when it would be easier to compromise.
Prayer
Father, You have commanded me to act like a man. Forgive me for the times I have been passive, cowardly, or self-serving. Give me the courage to be watchful, to stand firm in the faith, and to be strong. Help me to do all things in love. Teach me to take responsibility for my household. Make me the kind of man who imitates Christ in courage and faithfulness. In His name, Amen.
Footnotes
Genesis 2:7, 15
Genesis 3:6, 9
John 10:11-18; Philippians 2:5-8; Ephesians 5:25
Meditate on: Joshua 1:6-9; Ephesians 6:10-13; 1 Timothy 6:11-12