50 Bible Verses Every Man Should Know

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50 Bible Verses Every Man Should Know

While every verse in the Bible is relevant and applicable to both men and women, there are some verses which might be more applicable to one gender over the other. Men and women are different. God has created us to be unique. But none of these verses or categories are exclusively masculine (apart from the ones on being a good husband or father). 

Here are 50 Bible verses that every man should know.

Photo credit: Unsplash/Matheus Ferrero

Verses about Men

1 Corinthians 16:13, inspirational image

We live in a culture that is confused about manhood. We either fall into a hyper-masculinity that calls things “manly” that are really pictures of ungodliness, or we fall into calling every bit of masculine strength “toxic.” The Bible can help us paint a picture of what a man should be.

“The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it” (Genesis 2:15).

“The Lord God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him’” (Genesis 2:18).

“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 Timothy 5:8).

“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong” (1 Corinthians 16:13).

Verses for Husbands and Fathers

Not every man will be a husband or a father, biologically. Even still, we are called to reproduce the glory of God in the lives of others. But if you have been called by God to be a husband and/or father, these verses will be of help. 

“For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh” (Ephesians 5:31).

“He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord” (Proverbs 18:22).

“In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself” (Ephesians 5:28).

“Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their opponents in court” (Psalm 127:4-5).

“Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children” (Proverbs 17:6).

“But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15).

Photo credit: SWN

Verses for Character

Joshua 1:9, inspirational image

Character matters. As men, we can use things like strength or charisma to increase our influence or platform. We can use physical strength to intimidate others into doing what we want, and call that leadership. But the Bible speaks of the absolute necessity of having a depth of character. These verses outline some of what it means to have biblical character. 

“But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness” (1 Timothy 6:11).

“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows” (Galatians 6:7).

“A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of” (Luke 6:45).

“Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end” (Proverbs 29:11).

“Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor” (Proverbs 18:12).

“For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come” (1 Timothy 4:8).

“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” (Galatians 5:22-23).

Verses for Courage

Both men and women are called to be courageous. It is not as if women are cowardly and men are supposed to be courageous in their place. Courage is not unique to masculinity — but men are indeed called to be courageous. Many have a temptation to passivity and not taking responsibility. There are times when courage will call us to lay down a sword and change a diaper. 

“Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe” (Proverbs 29:25).

“The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” (Psalm 118:6).

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).

"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me" (Psalm 23:4).

"When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?" (Psalm 56:3-4).

Photo credit: SWN

Verses for Identity

1 Corinthians 15:58, inspirational image

One of the issues which men can struggle with is that of identity. Who am I? Ultimately our identity must come from Christ. Otherwise, we will throw our lives away trying to discover who we are. The truest thing about you, if you are a follower of Jesus, is that you are “in-Christ.” You belong to Him. 

“What is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?” (Psalm 8:4).

“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him” (Psalm 34:8).

“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8).

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).

“For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3).

Verses for Work

To some “work” feels like a four-letter word. But work was actually part of the original creation. We were made to “work and keep” the Garden for the glory of God. The futility and toil of work is what is part of the fall. Yet, Christ has come to redeem not only us but also the things we put our hands to do. 

“Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval” (John 6:27).

“What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?” (Matthew 16:26).

“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58).

“All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty” (Proverbs 14:2).

“Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans” (Proverbs 16:3).

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

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Verses for Friendships and Community

Hebrews 10:24-25, inspirational image

Men can tend to isolate. Or we can pursue popularity at the expense of our integrity. The Bible calls us into deep friendships with others. To reflect Christ, we must be people of community. 

“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another” (Proverbs 27:17).

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:24-25).

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing” (1 Thessalonians 5:11).

“Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character’” (1 Corinthians 15:33).

“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves” (Romans 12:10).

“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms” (1 Peter 4:8-10).

Verses for Forgiveness

Guilt and shame are prevalent among men. And often these will lead to addictive behaviors. Guilt and shame are overcome through the Lord’s forgiveness and acceptance. We are also called to forgive as the Lord has forgiven us. 

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

“For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more” (Hebrews 8:12).

"As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us" (Psalm 103:12).

“I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more ..." (Isaiah 43:25).

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1).

“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32).

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Verses for Hope

scripture verse image isaiah 40-31

We all need hope. Life can be incredibly discouraging, but hope gets us through each day. These verses are life-giving. 

“Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day” (2 Corinthians 4:16).

“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God” (Psalm 42:11).

“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (Isaiah 40:29-31).

“But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently” (Romans 8:25).

“And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us” (Romans 5:5).

“And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast” (1 Peter 5:10).

“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:23).

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Mike Leake is husband to Nikki and father to Isaiah and Hannah. He is also the lead pastor at Calvary of Neosho, MO. Mike is the author of Torn to Heal and Jesus Is All You Need. His writing home is http://mikeleake.net and you can connect with him on Twitter @mikeleake. Mike has a new writing project at Proverbs4Today.