What does the Bible say about choosing gender?

I. Foundational Framework from Creation

Genesis presents humanity’s formation as two distinct sexes designed by the Creator. According to the Berean Standard Bible, “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). The text underscores two primary realities: (1) humanity is made in the image of God, and (2) this image-bearing capacity occurs in a male-female design.

The phrase “male and female He created them” indicates a purposeful distinction. Archaeological discoveries such as the Dead Sea Scrolls contain nearly complete copies of the Book of Genesis, affirming the authenticity and early dating of this passage, consistently preserving these exact words. The uniform witness of these manuscripts supports the conclusion that Scripture upholds a clear, God-ordained duality of male and female.

II. The Significance of Gender in Scripture

Scripture often intertwines bodily realities with spiritual purposes. In passages like Matthew 19:4, Jesus reiterates, “Have you not read…that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female’?” This citation from Genesis highlights that Jesus Himself affirms a creation-based distinction between male and female. Gender, as testified by Scripture, is not presented as a matter of personal preference but as part of an intentional creation plan.

From a scriptural perspective, this binary distinction carries moral significance. Deuteronomy 22:5 touches on Israelite civil laws that prohibit the blurring of male and female expressions. While the surrounding cultural application of this text varies, the underlying principle reflects a reverence for the distinctions given at creation. When exploring how these passages inform modern questions, it becomes evident that the biblical writers ground their teaching on an unchanging design in creation rather than shifting cultural norms.

III. Addressing the Concept of “Choosing” Gender

Although modern discussions about “choosing gender” or altering one’s gender expression do not appear in Scripture under the same terminology, biblical teaching on creation and the body strongly implies that humanity is to live according to the design set in place by God. This design is repeatedly described in ways that do not portray gender as fluid or interchangeable.

Psalm 139:13–14 offers insight into each person’s formation: “For You formed my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” The passage underscores that God personally crafts individuals with intentional structure and identity. Consequently, the emphasis is on receiving and stewarding one’s created form rather than redefining it. The biblical authors do not envision a scenario where humanity is left with the prerogative to self-determine a gender identity at odds with one’s natural design.

IV. The Body as a Temple

In the New Testament, Paul’s theology of the body provides another dimension to this discussion. In 1 Corinthians 6:19–20, the apostle states, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit…You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body.” While this passage primarily addresses sexual immorality, it underscores a profound principle: the body belongs to God, and believers honor Him by embracing His intended purpose and design for them. This understanding applies to all matters of bodily stewardship, including one’s acceptance of being created male or female.

V. Cultural Context and Biblical Consistency

Historically, the biblical account has been transmitted with remarkable manuscript fidelity. Leading manuscript evidence—from the Masoretic Text to the earliest versions of the Septuagint—demonstrates consistent rendering of creation narratives that describe male and female. Experts in textual criticism have cataloged thousands of manuscripts, noting that key passages about gender in Genesis are emphatically preserved.

Anthropologically, many ancient societies recognized male and female roles distinctly. The biblical authors, living in these societies, further emphasized that this distinction was established ultimately by divine ordinance rather than social custom. References in ancient extrabiblical records (such as those found in Mesopotamian and Near Eastern documents) often describe male and female roles in religious narratives. However, the biblical narrative remains unique in its theological insistence on God’s creative authority over these distinctions.

VI. Pastoral Compassion and Human Struggles

While Scripture teaches that male and female are fixed by divine design, it also depicts a compassionate God who understands human struggles (see Psalm 103:13–14). In any area of life, including questions of identity, the Bible consistently presents a God who meets people with grace and calls them to live in alignment with His truth. Christ’s ministry included reaching out to those who were marginalized or confused, offering both compassion and direction.

Thus, although the scriptural witness affirms that humanity does not hold authority to redefine gender, it likewise calls believers to respond with empathy to those wrestling with identity questions. This approach extends beyond mere instruction, urging a demonstration of kindness and understanding as people seek to reconcile personal longings with biblical teaching.

VII. Concluding Observations

Scripture regularly returns to the foundational idea that gender, embedded in creation itself, serves divine purposes and symbolizes spiritual truths. In Genesis, a male-female complement enables procreation and paints a picture of unity in diversity. Jesus reaffirms these truths in the Gospels, and Paul builds upon them in his letters to the churches.

While the question of “choosing gender” arises from modern societal concepts, the Bible’s message remains steadfast about the Creator’s intentional design. Far from an arbitrary arrangement, this design conveys moral and theological significance, indicating a calling to recognize and embody the identity bestowed by God. Manuscript evidence, archaeological data, and the consistent witness of both Old and New Testaments support the view that gender is neither arbitrary nor fluid but is integral to God’s ordained order.

Believers, therefore, are encouraged to embrace the body and the gender they have been given—seeking wholeheartedly to honor God with their minds, souls, and bodies. As 1 Corinthians 10:31 affirms, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.” This directive encompasses every aspect of life, including one’s faithful reception and stewardship of bodily identity by divine design.