What Does the Bible Say About Godly Men?

Some time back, my son and I got into a conversation about meaning. Specifically, we talked about who “owns” the meaning of a book or a painting or any other creative work. He suggested the consumer determines what a work means. I claimed that the creator of the work defines meaning. Consumers might identify what something means to them, but the creator is the only one who really knows the true message behind the creation.

When it comes to defining a “godly” man, I believe the same rules apply. God, our Creator, decides what it means to be a godly man. That’s what makes what the Bible says about godly men so important. Since the Scriptures are God’s Word to us, they reveal how He defines a godly man—and, as Creator, His definition is the only one that matters.

Key Takeaways

A godly man’s fuel and foundation is the saving work of Jesus Christ, not just moral living or good intentions.
Scripture—not culture—defines godly manhood, and God’s Word offers the clearest and most enduring standard.
Some traits of a godly man include prayer, trust in God, and a commitment to righteousness.
Godly men take responsibility seriously—submitting to God’s leadership, making sacrifices when needed, and caring for their families.
Love is not optional; it’s an essential mark of men who reflect the character of Christ.

The Beginnings of a Godly Man

Every race has a starting line. For godly men, the starting line is salvation. While it’s true that each of us was created in the image of God, we cannot reflect that image well until we experience a new relationship with Him.

All the godly men quotes from the Bible mean very little if you don’t share that personal relationship with God through His Son, Jesus. You may gain an intellectual knowledge about living a good life, but you will miss the key ingredient for living a godly life.

If you’ve already made the decision to accept Jesus’s salvation, that’s awesome. If you haven’t, talk with a pastor or Christian friend you trust about making that decision today.

How the Bible Defines a Godly Man

God’s Word is eternal. That means it will last forever. It also means that we can spend our entire lives studying it and still not reach the end of its instruction for our lives. Just as we can never figure God out completely in this lifetime, we will never exhaust His message for us in His Word.

I say that because the ten markers listed below only scratch the surface of Bible verses about godly men. They are the start of the journey, not the final destination. We should strive to master these qualities while recognizing that we will fall short more times than we’d like to admit. Becoming a godly man is a lifelong pursuit, but the first step matters.

10 Characteristics of a Godly Man According to Scripture

The Bible gives clear traits that define godly manhood—anchored not in culture, but in devotion to God.

1. A Godly Man Is Blessed (Psalm 1:1-6).

We all long to experience God’s blessing. The psalmist made it clear that the only way to do that is to fully lean into God’s ways. Men of faith reject the empty wisdom of the world. They thrive because they commit themselves to a passionate pursuit of God.

2. A Godly Man Studies the Word (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

As said, a big part of that passionate pursuit of God involves spending time in His Word. We become more like Jesus when we start thinking and acting more like Jesus. Digging into Bible verses about being a godly man gives us the wisdom and courage to become godly men in real life.

3. A Godly Man Prays (Daniel 6:10).

The prophet Daniel faced a choice. On one hand, he could go along with the king’s orders and skip prayer. On the other, he could defy the new law and continue praying as he always had. Because he recognized his own dependence on God, Daniel chose to pray—three times a day. Godly men spend time in prayer because they understand their need for God. They pray before times get tough so they can lean into prayer when times get tough.

4. A Godly Man Trusts God Even When It Doesn’t Make Sense (Genesis 15:1-6).

In both the Old and New Testaments, Abraham is called a friend of God (Isaiah 41:8; James 2:23). That’s because he believed God’s words, despite his circumstances. The longer he waited, the less practical sense God’s promises made. Yet, he continued to trust God—until those promises were fulfilled. Bible verses about godly men remind us that He has a plan that we can trust. Even if we’re unclear about the details, we can stand firm in our faith that He will accomplish His purposes in His timing (1 Corinthians 15:58).

5. A Godly Man Does What’s Right Every Chance He Gets (1 Timothy 6:11).

In writing to a young mentee named Timothy, the apostle Paul challenged him to be a godly man. To do that, Timothy needed to avoid the temptations and distractions that could weigh him down. Instead, he should pursue “righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.” In other words, Paul challenged him to choose to do what’s right in every situation.

Did Timothy succeed every single time? I doubt it. None of us are perfect, and we all fall short. But for godly men, doing what’s right isn’t just a New Year’s resolution. It’s a habit we strive to develop one day at a time.

6. A Godly Man Lets God Take the Lead (Proverbs 3:5-6).

The poet Robert Frost wrote about choosing between two roads. Godly men choose the road God intends. While we might be tempted to lean on our own understanding, we know that we’re not smart enough or wise enough on our own. We will get sidetracked every time. The only way to stay on the right road is to trust in the Lord and to acknowledge Him in all we do. He has given us His Spirit to guide us, and we can rest in His leadership.

7. A Godly Man Endures Difficult Times (Romans 5:3-5).

I have a friend who likes to say that life with Jesus is better than life without Him. I completely agree, but I’ve also lived long enough to know that “better” doesn’t mean “easy.” Jesus Himself said that we would face trials and tribulations in this world (John 16:33). He went on to say that He has overcome the world. So, we can live with endurance, knowing that our endurance will produce character and character produces hope that reaches beyond “wishful thinking” to a confident faith that shapes a godly man’s life.

8. A Godly Man Makes Sacrifices (Hebrews 11:24-25).

If you’re looking for verses about godly men, you can’t skip Hebrews 11. It’s filled with reminders about godly men (and women) who trusted God in all kinds of situations. In verses 24-25, the writer noted that Moses “refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter.” Instead of the Egyptian palace, he accepted the hardships of the wilderness with God’s people.

9. A Godly Man Takes Care of His Own (1 Timothy 5:8).

You aren’t a husband or father by accident. God placed you in those roles according to His own plans and purposes. Godly men accept the challenge of leading a family, shaking off passivity, and providing for the people God has placed under their care. Paul said shirking that responsibility makes us “worse than an unbeliever.”

10. A Godly Man Forgives Others (Ephesians 4:32).

In Ephesians 4, Paul provided an extensive explanation of practical Christian living. He wrapped up his list with a call for forgiveness. Godly men forgive others “as God in Christ forgave you.” As noted, we all fall short, and we all need God’s forgiveness. It would be the height of arrogance to accept God’s grace while refusing to extend that same grace and forgiveness to others. Admittedly, forgiveness can be hard. But it’s what godly men do.

Love Out Loud

Every Bible verse about godly men can be summarized in one word: LOVE. Godly men think and act the way they do because of love. God loved us beyond measure (John 3:16), and Jesus expects us to imitate His love. We reflect Him best when we reflect His love.