When the Bible refers to men, mankind, brothers, etc., does it include women?
The Bible was written in a patriarchal culture where men held positions of authority and women were often relegated to secondary roles. However, a careful study of Scripture reveals that God values men and women equally. When the Bible uses inclusive terms like “man,” “mankind,” “brothers,” etc., it is important to understand the context to determine if women are included.
The creation of man and woman
Genesis 1:27 states: “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” This foundational verse makes it clear that God’s image bears equally on men and women. The Hebrew word for “man” here can refer to mankind or human beings in general.
Eve was created as a “helper fit for him” (Gen 2:18) and Adam rejoiced that she was “bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh” (Gen 2:23). This shows the unity and equality of men and women before the Fall. Though the entrance of sin marred this relationship, God’s original design was for loving partnership between men and women.
The Great Commission
Before his ascension, Jesus commanded his followers: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matt 28:19). The fact that women were among Jesus’ followers and first witnesses to the resurrection shows that they too were commissioned to the task of spreading the gospel.
Pentecost and the gift of prophecy
On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit was poured out on men and women alike. Peter quoted the prophet Joel in saying “I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy…” (Acts 2:17-18). The gift of prophecy was given without gender distinction.
We are all one in Christ
Galatians 3:28 declares: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” While maintaining distinct gender roles, men and women have an equal standing before God and are joint heirs of eternal life (1 Pet 3:7).
Examples of notable women in Scripture
The Bible gives examples of many important female figures who served God’s purposes. These include:
- Eve – The first woman and “mother of all living” (Gen 3:20)
- Sarah – Wife of Abraham and mother of Isaac through whom the covenant line descended (Gen 17:15-19)
- Miriam – A prophetess and leader of the Israelites along with Moses and Aaron (Ex 15:20-21)
- Deborah – A prophetess and judge over Israel (Judges 4:4-5)
- Ruth – Great-grandmother of King David (Ruth 4:13-17)
- Mary – The mother of Jesus, present at the birth of the church (Luke 1-2; Acts 1:14)
- Phoebe – A deaconess commended by Paul (Rom 16:1-2)
- Priscilla – Fellow minister with her husband Aquila (Acts 18; Rom 16:3)
- Junia – An outstanding apostle noted by Paul (Rom 16:7)
This shows that God used women in significant ways in biblical history. They were not excluded from positions of leadership, influence, and service.
Instructions to the church include women
In his letters to churches, the apostle Paul often specifically addresses both men and women or uses language that applies to both. A few examples include:
- “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Cor 10:31)
- “For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.” (1 Cor 15:22)
- “Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.” (Rom 12:9)
- “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thess 5:16-18)
Paul did give some instructions specifically for men or women based on the gender roles of that time and culture (1 Cor 14:34-35; Eph 5:22-33; 1 Tim 2:11-15). However, the overall teaching of Scripture affirms the equality of men and women before God.
We are heirs together of the grace of life
1 Peter 3:7 instructs husbands to treat their wives with respect as fellow heirs of eternal life: “Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.” Wives may be physically weaker, but they are spiritual equals with their husbands.
Women received the Holy Spirit along with men
At Pentecost, Peter declared that God’s promise of the Holy Spirit was “for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself” (Acts 2:39). Throughout Acts, whenever people believed in Jesus and were baptized, they received the gift of the Holy Spirit with no distinction made between men and women (Acts 8:12-17, 10:44-48, 16:13-15).
Paul stated that “in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit” (1 Cor 12:13). The Holy Spirit indwells and gifts men and women in the church equally.
Women instructed older women and children
Titus 2:3-5 states: “Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.” This shows women in active teaching roles within the church.
Conclusion
While the Bible was written in a time when women held less prominent roles in society, the overall teaching of Scripture makes it clear that men and women are equally valuable before God. They were both created in God’s image, commissioned to spread the gospel, gifted by the Holy Spirit, included in the instructions to churches, and fellow heirs of eternal life. When terms like “man,” “mankind,” “brothers,” etc. are used, often the context reveals that women are included as well. God uses both men and women in significant ways to accomplish his redemptive purposes.
