📖 Biblical Definition
"Man of God" is an Old Testament title applied to those uniquely commissioned by the LORD — Moses (Deuteronomy 33:1), Samuel (1 Samuel 9:6), David (Nehemiah 12:24), Elijah (1 Kings 17:18), Elisha (2 Kings 4:7), Shemaiah (1 Kings 12:22), and many anonymous prophets identified only by the phrase. The title marks distinguished commission and consistent walk with God. Paul applies it to Timothy: "But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness" (1 Timothy 6:11); and again: "That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works" (2 Timothy 3:17). The title is gendered, vocational, and qualitative — and earned, not self-claimed.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
Old Testament title for a prophet; New Testament title for one consecrated to God's service.
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Hebrew ish elohim appears about 70 times in the Old Testament: applied to Moses (Deut 33:1), Samuel (1 Sam 9:6), David (Neh 12:24), Elijah (1 Kgs 17:18), Elisha (2 Kgs 4:7), and many anonymous prophets (1 Sam 2:27; 1 Kgs 13:1).
Paul applies it to Timothy in 1 Tim 6:11 and 2 Tim 3:17, the latter most famously: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
📖 Key Scripture
1 Timothy 6:11 — "But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness."
2 Timothy 3:17 — "That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works."
Deuteronomy 33:1 — "And this is the blessing, wherewith Moses the man of God blessed the children of Israel before his death."
1 Kings 17:18 — "Art thou come unto me to call my sin to remembrance, and to slay my son?"
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Modern Christianity uses ‘man of God’ as a casual compliment; Scripture reserves it for those whose lives commend the title.
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Paul's 1 Timothy 6:11 use is exhortatory: but thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. The title carries a list of behaviors. The man of God is recognized by what he flees and what he follows.
Recover this and the title becomes both honoring and demanding. The household's elders, fathers, and male disciples are aimed at the ‘man of God’ designation — not earned by office but visible in life.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Hebrew ish elohim is the foundational phrase.
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Hebrew ish elohim — man of God; ish (man) plus elohim (God).
Note: occasionally the title applies to angelic figures (Judg 13:6) but most commonly to prophets and consecrated leaders.
Usage
"The man of God is recognized by what he flees and what he follows."
"It is title and behavior in one phrase."
"Moses, Samuel, Elijah, Timothy: same designation."