Does God love men more than He loves women?

Redemption Theology

TL;DR:

God’s love does not favor men over women—He created both in His image, equally valued and uniquely designed to complement each other. Even though many cultures have rejected the value of women, God has never dismissed their value.

what does the bible say?

God’s love for men and women is equal, as both were created in His image and designed to complement one another (Genesis 1:27; Genesis 2:20-24). The Old Testament affirms the value and dignity of women, highlighting their key roles in God’s plan, from the Hebrew midwives who saved lives (Exodus 1:15-22) to leaders like Deborah (Judges 4:4-24). The New Testament also shows Jesus consistently honoring women, teaching, healing, and entrusting them with significant roles in His ministry (Matthew 28:1-10; John 20). Galatians 3:28 emphasizes that in God’s kingdom, gender does not determine access to His love or salvation. First Peter 3:7 and Ephesians 5:22-25 further demonstrate that women are fully co-heirs of God’s grace and deserving of respect and sacrificial love. Even when society diminished women, God elevated their status, showing His impartial love. This is because God values men and women uniquely, equally, and eternally, calling all to honor, respect, and love one another as He does.

from the old testament

God made both men and women equally in His image, giving inherent dignity and value to each (Genesis 1:27).
Genesis 2:20-24 shows the elevated status of the woman as the completion of the man: "Then the LORD God said, 'It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.' ... So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. And the rib that the LORD God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. Then the man said, ''This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.'' Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh."
Many women played key roles in God's plan: in Exodus 1:15-22 the Hebrew midwives saved the lives of the Hebrew male children; in Joshua 2:1-7 Rahab saved the spies from capture in Jericho; Ruth has a complete Bible book named for her faithfulness; in Judges 4:4-24 Deborah was a Hebrew judge, and there are many more prominent women.
God's justice and mercy are impartial, and His love is not limited by gender (Deuteronomy 10:17-19).

from the new testament

Jesus went to women first to demonstrate His glory. In John 4:1-42 He told the Samaritan woman at the well He was the Christ of God. She was the first person He told.
Two women met Jesus at the tomb upon His resurrection; they were the first to see Him alive (Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, John 20).
Women who had been healed supported Jesus ministry (Luke 8:1-3).
Jesus enjoyed the company of His friends Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38-39).
Jesus healed several women, even a Gentile (Luke 8:2; Mark 5:27-34; John 4:1-42, Luke 4:38-41, Luke 13:10-17; John 8:1-11).
In the Kingdom of God, gender does not affect our access to God’s love, salvation, or value (Galatians 3:28).
First Peter 3:7 says, “Husbands . . . be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.” Women are fully co-heirs of God’s grace, demonstrating equal worth in God’s eyes.
Ephesians 5:22-25 instructs the husband to love His wife as Christ loves the church, which means to the point of death.

implications for today

You can be sure that God created the man and the woman as unique individuals and personalities which are meant to complement each other. People who believe men and women are not equal in God’s eyes often have a misunderstanding of God’s Word. Women have a different physical makeup from a man and provide a role as man's completer, to fulfill him.

Jesus went to women first on many occasions, even when it was unthinkable for Him to talk with a woman, like the Samaritan woman at the well, you see that Jesus was instrumental in releasing women from their status as chattel property of man. He lifted them up to equal status by healing, forgiving, appearing to, and depending upon women in his ministry.

God sent Jesus to show His love to both men and women — all people. He uniquely made us male or female to know Him and reflect Him to a world that desperately needs Him. Anyone who places faith in Christ for salvation will be saved from sin and can depend upon God to care for him or her.

understand

God values men and women equally, having created both in His image with unique qualities designed to complement each other
The Bible highlights women’s dignity and key roles in God’s plan, showing that His love and salvation are not limited by gender.
Though society may undervalue women, God does not.

reflect

How does understanding that God values you equally, regardless of gender, affect the way you see yourself and your purpose in His plan?
In what ways have you experienced or witnessed God’s love and respect for women or men that challenge cultural or societal norms?
How can you actively honor and reflect God’s impartial love in your relationships with both men and women?

engage

What can we learn from what the Bible says about women?
How can we engage with women who don't understand their importance in God's eyes?
In what ways can we encourage men to respect and love women as much as Jesus did?

More Resources

Sexuality

Does the Bible say that men and women are equal?

The Bible teaches that men and women are equally valuable and loved in God’s eyes, both made in God's image and heirs through Christ. While their roles may differ in some contexts, this does not imply any inferiority or superiority of men or women.

Humanity

According to the Bible, what are the unique purposes of men and women?

Men and women are equally created in God’s image but designed with distinct, complementary purposes. These unique purposes allow us to each reflect God’s character and His offer of salvation to a world that desperately needs Him.

Relationships

Are men or women more valuable to God?

Men and women are of equal value before God because both are created in His image. While God gave men and women distinct roles within marriage and the family, neither men or women are more valuable than the other.

God’s Plan

Why do women seem to have a small role in the Bible?

Women play a vital role in biblical history, particularly in contrast to the roles open to them in the societies in which they lived. God values women, gives them significant roles in His redemptive purposes as seen throughout the Bible, and continues to give women opportunities to lead meaningful and significant lives today.