The Bible is one of the most important pieces of literature in history, and as such, it’s no surprise that many people find themselves wondering what characteristics a good man should have according to the Bible. Psalm 37:23 says, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and He delighteth in his way.” A good man does not allow himself to be led by circumstances, other people, or even his own feelings. He allows God to be in control of his life.
While there are many ideas about what makes a good man, the Bible has some specific requirements for men who want to be considered good. In this post, we’ll examine some of the characteristics of a good man, according to the Bible.
We’ll also look at some of the things that are not considered good in God’s eyes and how you can avoid them if you want to become a better man yourself!
The Bible is the world’s most widely read book, and it’s full of advice on how to live a good life. But what does it mean to be a good person? Are there characteristics that are universally desirable, or are the qualities that make someone “good” dependent on their context?
25 Characteristics of a Godly Man
According to Scripture, Christian character includes the pursuit of truth, godliness, righteousness, love, joy, peace, gentleness, kindness, patience, perseverance, meekness, humility, self-control, compassion, thankfulness, forgiveness, contentment, and unity.
- Faithfulness: A good man remains faithful to God and his word (Proverbs 20:6).
- Integrity: He lives a life of honesty and has a moral code that aligns with God’s teachings (Psalm 25:21).
- Humility: A godly man recognizes his own limitations and is humble before God (James 4:6).
- Leadership: He leads by example, guiding others with wisdom and love (1 Timothy 3:2-4).
- Compassion: A good man shows compassion and cares for others, especially the weak and vulnerable (Colossians 3:12).
- Forgiveness: He forgives others as God has forgiven him, letting go of grudges (Ephesians 4:32).
- Self-Control: A godly man exercises self-control in all aspects of his life (Titus 2:11-12).
- Responsibility: He takes responsibility for his actions and provides for his family (1 Timothy 5:8).
- Purity: A good man seeks to live a life of purity, avoiding immorality and impure thoughts (1 Thessalonians 4:7).
- Generosity: He is generous with his resources, sharing what he has with those in need (2 Corinthians 9:6).
- Kindness: A godly man demonstrates kindness to others, treating them with love and respect (Colossians 3:12).
- Patience: He patiently endures trials and tribulations, trusting in God’s timing (Romans 5:3-4).
- Goodness: A good man strives to do what is right and good, following God’s commandments (Romans 12:17).
- Wisdom: He seeks wisdom from God and applies it to his life (Proverbs 3:13-14).
- Courage: A godly man is bold and courageous, standing up for what is right in the face of adversity (1 Corinthians 16:13).
- Honesty: He speaks the truth in love, avoiding deception and dishonesty (Ephesians 4:15).
- Gratitude: A good man expresses gratitude to God for His blessings and provisions (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
- Respect: He shows respect to everyone, regardless of their social status (1 Peter 2:17).
- Humor: A godly man knows how to find joy and laughter, spreading happiness to those around him (Proverbs 17:22).
- Gentleness: He practices gentleness and avoids harshness in his words and actions (Galatians 5:22-23).
- Confidence: A good man has confidence in God’s plan for his life, trusting in His guidance (Psalm 27:14).
- Perseverance: He perseveres in the face of challenges, never giving up on his faith (James 1:12).
- Selflessness: A godly man puts others before himself, showing love and sacrificial service (Philippians 2:3-4).
- Prayerful: He is committed to prayer, seeking God’s wisdom and guidance in all things (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
- Loyalty: A good man remains loyal and faithful to God, his family, and his friends (Proverbs 17:17).
Responsibilities of a Man According to the Bible
The Bible teaches that men have specific responsibilities in various areas of life. Some of these responsibilities include:
- Providing for their families: Men are called to work diligently and provide for their households (1 Timothy 5:8).
- Leading their families spiritually: Men are to be the spiritual leaders in their homes, guiding their families in the ways of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4).
- Protecting and cherishing their wives: Husbands are called to love their wives as Christ loved the church, sacrificially and unconditionally (Ephesians 5:25).
- Being faithful and committed: Men are called to be faithful to their wives and to honor their marriage vows (Matthew 19:6).
- Being involved in the church: Men are encouraged to use their gifts and talents to serve the church and contribute to its growth (1 Corinthians 12:27).
- Being examples to others: Men are to be examples of godliness and righteousness, showing others what it means to follow Christ (1 Timothy 4:12).
References:
- Proverbs 20:6 – “Many claim to have unfailing love, but a faithful person who can find?”
- Psalm 25:21 – “May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope, Lord, is in you.”
- James 4:6 – “But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: ’God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”
- 1 Timothy 3:2-4 – “Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect.”
- Colossians 3:12 - “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”
- Ephesians 4:32 – “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
- Titus 2:11-12 - “For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say ’No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.”
- 1 Timothy 5:8 – “Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”
- 1 Thessalonians 4:7 – “For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.”
- 2 Corinthians 9:6 – “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.”
- Colossians 3:12 – “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”
- Romans 5:3-4 - “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”
- Romans 12:17 – “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.”
- Proverbs 3:13-14 – “Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold.”
- 1 Corinthians 16:13 – “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.”
- Ephesians 4:15 – “Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.”
- 1 Thessalonians 5:18 – “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
- 1 Peter 2:17 – “Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.”
- Proverbs 17:22 – “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”
- Galatians 5:22-23 - “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things, there is no law.”
- Psalm 27:14 – “Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.”
- James 1:12 – “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”
- Philippians 2:3-4 - “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”
- 1 Thessalonians 5:17 – “pray continually”
- Proverbs 17:17 - “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.”
- Matthew 19:6 – “So, they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let no one separate.”
- 1 Corinthians 12:27 – ”Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.”
- 1 Timothy 4:12 – “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity.”
Characteristics of A Good Man According To The Bible
But you, as a person dedicated to God, keep away from all that. Instead pursue righteousness, godliness, faithfulness, love, endurance, and gentleness. Compete well for the faith and lay hold of that eternal life you were called for and made your good confession for in the presence of many witnesses. I charge you before God who gives life to all things and Christ Jesus who made his good confession before Pontius Pilate, to obey this command without fault or failure until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ—whose appearing the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, will reveal at the right time. He alone possesses immortality and lives in unapproachable light, whom no human has ever seen or is able to see. To him be honor and eternal power! Amen.
1 Timothy 6:11-16 (NET)
What are characteristics of a man or woman of God—someone mature in the faith?
In this text, Paul strikes a contrast between the false teachers and Timothy. He says, “But you, as a person dedicated to God, keep away from all that.” “A person dedicated to God” can also be translated “man of God.” It was a tremendous privilege for Timothy to be called a man of God. It is only used here and in 2 Timothy 3:17 in the New Testament. “This special designation was also given to Moses (Deut. 33:1), Samuel (1 Sam. 9:6), Elijah (1 Kings 17:18), and David (Neh. 12:24); so Timothy was in good company.”1 This title referred to somebody wholly possessed by God and who spoke for him. Where the false teachers were men of this world, Timothy was a man of God.
Sadly, there are few men and women of God in the church—those truly possessed, identified, and speaking for God. In general, the church is often full of the immature who typically reflect the world more than God. For example, when Paul wrote to the Corinthians, he called them infants in Christ and worldly in 1 Corinthians 3:1-3. He said,
So, brothers and sisters, I could not speak to you as spiritual people, but instead as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ.I fed you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready. In fact, you are still not ready,for you are still influenced by the flesh. For since there is still jealousy and dissension among you, are you not influenced by the flesh and behaving like unregenerate people?
He calls them worldly three times in three verses. Instead of feasting on the meat of God’s Word, they could only handle milk. Instead of being peacemakers, they were known for jealously and quarreling. Instead of being identified by godliness, they were identified by worldliness. Unfortunately, this typifies much of the church. What are characteristics of the mature in faith—men and women of God? How can we develop these qualities?
In 1 Timothy 6:11-16, Paul gives four commands to Timothy, the man of God, and a motivation to fulfill the commands. From these, we gain five characteristics of the man of God. As we study these, they challenge us to be men and women of God—those identified by their relationship with God, rather than people characterized by this world. Though these truths apply to both sexes, throughout this study, I will primarily use the male designation, man of God, as the text does.
The Man of God Flees from Sin
But you, as a person dedicated to God, keep away from all that.
1 Timothy 6:11
“Keep away” from all that can be translated “flee.” The man of God is identified by what he “flees.” We might think that Paul would say, “Stand firm!” or “Fight!” Scripture calls us to stand firm against the attacks of the devil (Eph 6:11) and to resist him (James 4:7), but Paul doesn’t say that here. Some things the man of God must wisely flee. In the context, it has to do with the evils associated with loving money (1 Tim 6:3-10). However, the need to flee sin is taught throughout Scripture: believers are called to flee sexual immorality (1 Cor 6:18), idolatry (1 Cor 10:14), and youthful lusts (2 Tim 2:22). Like Joseph fleeing from Potiphar’s wife—the man of God should run when it comes to sin. It has the ability to trap, dominate, and destroy him.
The word flee comes from the Greek word “pheugo,” from which we get the English word “fugitive.”2 The man of God is a fugitive running from a potential captor—he doesn’t want to go back to sin; he knows the dangers of it. Therefore, he flees. The word “flee” is in the present tense—meaning that the man of God should constantly flee these things.
Some might not understand why the man of God doesn’t watch certain types of movies or listen to certain types of music. Why? It’s because he is a fugitive—he knows that sin has the ability to trap and conquer him. It is his recognition of his vulnerability that makes him strong. Proverbs 22:3 says, “A shrewd person sees danger and hides himself, but the naive keep right on going and suffer for it.”
Men and women of God are known by what they flee—ungodly language, ungodly entertainment, discord, sexual immorality, etc. Are you a person of God—a holy fugitive? What are you fleeing?
The Man of God Pursues Godly Character
Instead pursue righteousness, godliness, faithfulness, love, endurance, and gentleness.
1 Timothy 6:11
Not only is the man of God known by what he flees but by what he pursues. Paul lists six godly character traits that the man of God pursues. The word “pursue” is sometimes translated “persecute.”3 It refers to eagerness and diligence in going after something. It implies that godly character doesn’t happen overnight. It is something that a person continually works at for the rest of his life.
Pastor Steve Cole shares a conversation between two NFL announcers about a famous football player named Walter Payton which illustrates the man of God’s pursuit of character:
During a Monday night football game, an announcer observed that the Chicago Bears’ running back, Walter Payton, had accumulated over nine miles in career rushing yardage. The other announcer remarked, “Yeah, and that’s with somebody knocking him down every 4.6 yards!” A Christian may get knocked down by sin every few yards, but he gets up and keeps moving toward righteousness. It’s his pursuit.4
Proverbs 24:16 says, “Although a righteous person may fall seven times, he gets up again, but the wicked will be brought down by calamity.” Perseverance marks the righteous. They won’t live in sin; they won’t accept defeat; they fall, but they just keep getting back up. They are in pursuit of looking like their Lord Jesus.
Are you pursuing godly character?
Observation Question: What are the six character traits Paul lists and how do we pursue them?
- Righteousness doesn’t refer to the believer’s imputed righteousness which we receive from Christ at salvation but outward righteousness. Because God saved us and made us righteous, believers should pursue a lifestyle of righteousness (Eph 2:10). This includes, but is not limited to, serving others, caring for the neglected, evangelizing the lost, discipling believers, and worshiping God. The man of God is in constant pursuit of these things.
- Godliness can be translated god-likeness. The word has the connotation of reverence for God.5 It focuses on inward qualities instead of outward ones. A godly person has a holy reverence about them—desiring to honor, please, and reflect God in everything.
- Faithfulness could mean dependability. The man of God is trustworthy in his endeavors. His yes means yes and his no means no. Or it could mean “faith”—daily depending on God as we abide in him and seek his face (cf. John 15:5). The man of God knows that on his own, he can do nothing, so he constantly abides in God’s Word and prayer. He has great faith in God. Are you pursuing greater faithfulness and greater faith?
- Love is the Greek word “agape”—referring to godlike love. Often in our culture we think that one shouldn’t have to work at love—it just happens. We just “fall in love,” as it is effortless. However, that is not true of biblical love. It is an act of the will that takes work and sacrifice. God commands us to not only love our neighbor but to love our enemy. We must work to love our enemy—we must stretch ourselves. It’s the same with loving others. Are you pursuing love?
- Endurance in the Greek means to “bear up under” something. It is how the man of God strives to go through trials and difficulties. Our natural response to trials is to quit or give up, but enduring bears gracious fruits in our lives. Romans 5:3-4 says we should rejoice in suffering because it produces perseverance (or endurance), perseverance creates character, and character hope. Sadly, instead of enduring, most waste the grace in trials by complaining, getting angry at people, and angry at God. If we endure, God can develop character in our lives through trials.
- Gentleness refers to our response to difficult people. Instead of responding in anger or with impatience, the man of God seeks to respond in a gentle manner. It has the connotation of power under control. How do you respond to difficult people?
The Man of God Fights for the Faith
Compete well for the faith
1 Timothy 6:12
Interpretation Question: What is Paul referring to when he says, “Compete well for the faith”?
“Compete well for the faith” can also be translated “Fight the good fight of the faith.” The man of God is not only known for what he flees and pursues, but also what he fights for. Paul says, “Fight the good fight of the faith.” What is he referring to? The presence of the article “the” seems to refer to the doctrines of the faith and not just belief in God. Fight literally means to “‘keep on fighting!’ It is a word from which we get our English word agonize, and it applies both to athletes and to soldiers. It describes a person straining and giving his best to win the prize or win the battle.”6 The Greek literally says, “agonize the good agony.”7
There is always a pain or agony that comes with fighting a battle; however, this fight is “good” because of what we are fighting for. Without this fight, the souls of men will be lost, Christians will be led astray from God’s best, and Satan will gain victory, even if only temporarily. Satan always attacks the doctrines of Scripture. He plants lies in people’s minds. He does this because he realizes what we believe affects how we live, and therefore if he can twist or taint what we believe, it will lead to loss or destruction.
For this reason, Timothy should guard and fight for the truth, even as Paul did. In 1 Timothy, Paul contends for the faith, as he does in most of his letters—combatting false teaching. The following verses support the importance of believers fighting for the faith:
Dear friends, although I have been eager to write to you about our common salvation, I now feel compelled instead to write to encourage you to contend earnestly for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints.
Jude 1:3
O Timothy, protect what has been entrusted to you.
1 Timothy 6:20
Steve Cole’s comments on the fight for the faith are helpful:
The history of the Christian church consists of repeated battles where the enemy introduces destructive heresies, those heresies are confronted, and the truth is clarified and proclaimed. That’s what Paul is doing in First Timothy. Many other New Testament letters have the same polemic thrust. The great church councils and creeds, while not carrying Scriptural authority, were attempts to correct false teaching and to set forth sound teaching. The Reformation consisted of godly men like Luther and Calvin combatting the corruption and false doctrine that had permeated the Roman Catholic church and setting forth the great truths of Scripture.8
In addition, Steve Cole describes many of the great men of God and their battles throughout history, as he quotes J. Gresham Machen.
Tertullian fought Marcion; Athanasius fought the Arians; Augustine fought Pelagius; and Luther and Calvin fought the popes. He [J. Gresham Machen] concludes rightly, “It is impossible to be a true soldier of Jesus Christ and not fight” (cited in Fundamentalist Journal [3/83], p. 34). To persevere, we must flee worldliness; pursue godliness; and, fight the good fight of the faith.9
This is not only true on the macro-level as we consider the fundamental doctrines of the faith but any deception of Satan. When counseling or ministering to others, one must identify the lies that a person believes and insert the truth of God’s Word. Second Corinthians 10:4-5 says:
for the weapons of our warfare are not human weapons, but are made powerful by God for tearing down strongholds. We tear down arguments and every arrogant obstacle that is raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to make it obey Christ.
Though fighting is difficult and undesired, we must hope to be faithful like Paul. At the end of his life, he declared: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Tim 4:7 NIV).
Are you willing to fight the good fight of the faith?
Application Question: What are some of the major attacks on “the faith” happening in the church today? What does fighting for the faith look like practically?
The Man of God Takes Hold of Eternal Life
Compete well for the faith and lay hold of that eternal life you were called for and made your good confession for in the presence of many witnesses.
1 Timothy 6:12
Interpretation Question: What is Paul referring to when he says, “lay hold of that eternal life?”
The last command that Paul gives Timothy before seeking to motivate him is to “lay hold of that eternal life.” What does Paul mean by this? Isn’t Timothy already saved? Yes, the “call” referred to is God’s effectual call to salvation, which happened when Timothy repented of his sins and followed Christ as Lord (cf. Rom 8:29). His good confession probably refers to his subsequent baptism. But what does he mean by “lay hold of that eternal life?”
At times, Scripture refers to eternal life as something future and other times as a present reality. We see this in John 17:3 where Christ says that “this is eternal life” knowing God the Father and the Son. It is a present reality that we must seek and live out. This is exactly what Paul commands Timothy to do—to live out eternal life.
The word for “lay hold” can be translated “‘to take hold of, grasp … sometimes with violence’ or to ‘take hold of, in order to make one’s own.’”10 This word was used of an angry crowd “seizing” Paul and dragging him from the temple (Acts 21:30). Timothy already had eternal life but he needed to seize it and live it out—he needed to live out his sanctification.
There are many aspects of this eternal life that we must seize and pursue with violence. We pursue these through spiritual disciplines like prayer, time in God’s Word, fellowship with the saints, confession and repentance, and service. We must take hold of peace instead of anxiety and worry. Isaiah said that God keeps at perfect peace those whose minds are stayed on him (Is 26:3). We must take hold of joy, as we are commanded to rejoice in the Lord (Phil 4:4).
The man of God must seize eternal life and live it out daily. He should accept nothing less than the promises God has given him. We see Paul’s pursuit in Philippians 3:12. He says, “Not that I have already attained this—that is, I have not already been perfected—but I strive to lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus also laid hold of me.”
Are you taking hold of eternal life? Eternal life is not just for eternity. It is a quality of life that God desires us to live now, but we must violently seize it. Are you living it out? The man of God seizes eternal life and lives it out now. One day it will be fully ours at Christ’s coming or the rapture, whichever happens first. Then our bodies will be glorified, and we’ll fully experience what we currently have in Christ (Eph 1:3).