Bible Question: What does it mean to be a man of God? The term is fairly common in the Old Testament but rare in the New Testament. Please answer the question by giving Bible examples and Bible definitions, not by saying something that begins, "I believe the term means...." --Hank |
Bible Answer: It is a grand topic, and we should thank our brother for raising it. I have thought of it a long time. I have read what others have said as well. I would like to share a few thoughts, including this one that someone has written: “’O man of God,’ … That is a remarkable word… That title combines two remarkable concepts: Man, in his weakness, confusion, blindness and failure, and God, in his majesty, his greatness and power. To be "a man of God" is the greatest title that could be bestowed upon Timothy. Every one who has the Spirit of God indwelling him has the desire to claim that title for himself -- to be a man …of God, not a man of the world, not a man of the flesh, but a man of God”. I associate myself with those remarks. As our brother Hank has noted, the term is used much more in the Old Testament than the New. Overall it is used more than 70 times in the King James Version, but it is used only two times in the New Testament and both of these refer to Timothy. Experience seems to show it is similarly held in reserve today, being applied now and then to “the pastor” and now and then to “the speaker for this occasion”. The idea is that this person speaks for God. The times the term is “a man of God”. Fifty-five times the term is “the man of God” and full half a dozen of these refer to Moses. Four times one is addressed as “You man of God”. Most of the references are in the Kings and Chronicles and refer to men like Elijah and Elisha. Sometimes, as in “a man of God”, the title is used instead of the person’s name. One time (1 Samuel 9) he is described as an honorable man. One time (2Ki 4:9) the man of God is described as holy. One time the “man of God” is actually an angel, and possibly the pre-incarnate Christ (Judges 13). And yet there is no indication that I have found as to what qualifies a person for the title “man of God”, except perhaps it is in 1 and 2 Timothy. In 1 Kings 13 he seems to be more than a prophet, as there is both an “old prophet” and a “man of God” in that story. But paul seems to be commending Timothy for being a man of God and motivating him to be more of that. For that, he should “flee these things (pride, ‘perverse disputing, the love of money); and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness (1 Tim 6:11). In 2 Timothy 3 Timothy is called to be a man of God in the midst of perilous times. Others will do other things “but you” (v. 10) know differently. “But you” (v.14) must “continue in the things you have learned”. He is referring to things Timothy has learned from Scripture and from seeing them in action in the life of Paul as he applied the Scripture to his life. And “all scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works”. All in all this seems to be saying that there is a path to follow by which a man can become a man of God, or otherwise to show oneself worthy of the title. Two other thoughts. It may be useful to consider how a “man of God” may be related to “a man sent from God” (John 1:6) and also to being one of the “children of God” (as in Galatians 3:26). This may also relate to the idea of being “a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work” (2 Timothy 2:21). It may be that a man of God is a man who is always ready to be used of God. |