Why Did God Make Us Male and Female?
Because God's distinctions always have a purpose. Male and female are equal in worth and both made in His image, but they're different on purpose, and those differences point to God's design and authority.
Because God's distinctions always have a purpose. Male and female are equal in worth and both made in His image, but they're different on purpose, and those differences point to God's design and authority.
Our culture is wrestling with this question like never before. Whether you're confused, curious, or frustrated, it's worth starting where the Bible starts.
What the Bible says
"So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them" (Genesis 1:27 ESV). Men aren't women and women aren't men. There's not a spectrum that you flow in and out of. God established the gender of every human being.
Any time God makes distinctions or differences in Scripture, it's to highlight and establish either authority, purpose, or both. We see God making distinctions all over the Bible:
Creator and creation. God is different from and an authority over His creation.
The days of creation. Six days of work, one day of rest.
Humanity. Man and woman. Man was made from the ground. Woman was made from man.
Israel and the nations. God chose one nation.
The church and the lost.
Satan wants to make everyone and everything the same. His original sin was refusing his distinction from God. "I will ascend to heaven… I will make myself like the Most High" (Isaiah 14:13–14 ESV). From the beginning, his issue was with authority and purpose. If you get rid of distinctions, you get rid of authority, truth and purpose.
Romans 1:21–27 shows the order. First people blurred the distinction between Creator and creation and worshiped the creature. Then the consequence was blurring the distinction between male and female. Erasing the God/creation distinction and erasing the male/female distinction are not separate cultural problems. They're the same rebellion at different levels.
Different doesn't mean unequal. Chauvinism demeans women. Feminism demeans men. Christianity celebrates both as complementary. They are equally loved by God and equal partakers of salvation, but different in their roles and functions.
You might be thinking…
"Isn't it unfair for God to give men and women different roles?" Different isn't lesser. The Son submits to the Father, and He's fully God (John 5:19; 1 Corinthians 11:3). Distinction and equality go together in God Himself.
"What about people who feel like they don't fit?" Their struggle is real, and they deserve compassion, not mockery. But God's design is still good, and He didn't make a mistake when He made them.
Next step
Read Genesis 1–2 this week and ask, "What does this show me about why God made me the way He did?" Then thank Him for it.
Related questions
Genesis 1:27; Isaiah 14:12–14; Romans 1:21–27; John 5:19; 1 Corinthians 11:3