Should gender-inclusive language be used in Bible translations?

TL;DR:

: Bible translations should honor the original intent of Scripture, using gender-inclusive language when the text clearly addresses all people and preserving gender-specific terms when God inspired them. Faithful translation means seeking accuracy over agenda so God’s Word speaks as He intended.

what does the bible say?

The question of gender-inclusive language in Bible translations demands careful attention to both accuracy and reverence for God’s Word. Scripture repeatedly presents warnings about carefully handling God’s Word (Deuteronomy 4:2; 2 Timothy 2:15; Revelation 22:18-19). The Bible shows that some words are meant to include all humanity while others are purposefully gender-specific. Translators must, therefore, distinguish between passages that call for broader wording and those where God intentionally revealed Himself in masculine terms. For example, in Psalm 1:1, the word “man” is accurate because it is a translation of the Hebrew “ish,” which means a male person. Exodus 20:12 uses “mother” and “father,” distinguishing between the two genders. First Thessalonians 4:10 uses the word “brothers,” but the corresponding Greek adelphoi can mean “brothers and sisters,” so a gender-inclusive pronoun would fit there. Scripture contains many other such examples. Modern English complicates this task since it lacks a singular, gender-neutral pronoun, tempting some to adopt agendas that blur God’s intended meaning. For instance, some have tried to assign female pronouns to refer to God, but God clearly reveals Himself as our “Father,” not our mother (Matthew 6:9). Faithful translation seeks neither to erase gender nor to force masculine terms where Scripture embraces all people, but to convey the inspired message as the Holy Spirit first gave it. Choosing a Bible should reflect a desire to know God’s truth, not to reshape it, so His Word speaks with the clarity and authority He intended.

from the old testament

Here are some examples from the Old Testament showing where gender-specific and gender-inclusive words are used intentionally:
Genesis 1:27 reads, “So God created man in his own image…male and female he created them” (emphasis added). The Hebrew word adam here means “humankind,” making it gender-inclusive.
Psalm 1:1 reads, “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked” (emphasis added) The Hebrew word ish means a male individual, showing a masculine emphasis in the example person, though application extends to all.
Exodus 20:12 reads, “Honor your father and your mother” (emphasis added). Here the terms are clearly gender-specific, naming both male and female parents intentionally.

from the new testament

Here are examples from the New Testament that reveal how translators must carefully discern when Scripture intends to include all people and when it purposefully uses male or female terms to reveal God’s design or specific relationships. Colossians 1:28 reads, “Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone…” (emphasis added). The Greek pas anthrōposliterally means “every person,” showing intentional gender inclusivity.
First Thessalonians 4:10 reads, “We urge you, brothers, to do this more and more” (emphasis added). The Greek adelphoi can mean “brothers and sisters” when addressing the whole church, even though the masculine form is used.
Matthew 6:9 reads, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.” Jesus intentionally uses the masculine title Father (pater), revealing God’s chosen way of self-identification.

implications for today

Translations of the earliest manuscripts of the Old and New Testaments are usually undertaken with the intention of offering the most accurate and understandable versions of the Word of God in the target language. Sometimes translators desire a word-for-word translation (known as formal equivalence). At other times they aim for a phrase-for-phrase, or thought-by-thought translation (known as dynamic equivalence).

The past one hundred years has produced more English translations of the Bible than any other time in history. However, some translations have attempted to push a certain social or doctrinal agenda. Some of this has been related to how the Bible deals with gender. But taking out any reference to gender in the Bible is to change the inspired Word of God.

But carefully weighing the Scripture to see whether the original words regarding gender were used intentionally to specify males or females is important. When the Word says "man" as in "human" we should render it as including men and women. When the Word says "men" as in the male gender we should not change it to include women, and vice versa.

The pronouns used in the Bible are difficult. English has no gender-neutral singular pronoun that delivers a meaning of both "he" and "she." So when talking about humans generally, some translators default to the generic masculine "he" or "him." This can connote an unintended meaning.

For example, often the term "every man" has been used as a gender-neutral pronoun. The better "everyone" has also been used. For example, see Colossians 1:28: "Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ" (emphasis added). Clearly Colossians 1:28 is not talking exclusively about males, so "everyone" is appropriate here.

Context matters when weighing the accuracy of a translation for gender issues. Sometimes translators will, after mention of the Christian "brothers" insert a "and sisters" such as in 1 Thessalonians 4:10. "We urge you, brothers, to do this more and more" is sometimes augmented to "brothers and sisters." Paul was writing to the entire church in Thessalonica, not just the men in the church. The meaning of the verse, in context, is not changed with the addition. The ESV translation, which CompellingTruth.org uses, employs footnotes at times to explain that the original Greek used a male pronoun, but the context assuredly connotes people of both genders.

However, some uses of the male pronoun in the Bible are clearly used with intent. When the Bible speaks of God in a pronoun, it uses "He" and "Him." Similarly, God is known by the writers, and by Jesus, as the Father. We have no right to change this to "Parent" as God clearly used the masculine parent title, and masculine pronouns, to reveal Himself.

Be intentional about what translation you choose to use. Your choice should be based on your desire to know God, not to impose a social, doctrinal, or personal agenda into your decision.

understand

Translators should use gender-inclusive language only when Scripture clearly addresses all people and preserve gender-specific terms where God intended.
The Bible has examples of both inclusive wording and deliberate gender references, requiring careful context when interpreting the text.
Faithful translation seeks accuracy over cultural or doctrinal agendas to keep God’s Word clear and authoritative.

reflect

How does knowing that some Bible words are intentionally gender-specific and others are not challenge the way you read and apply Scripture?
When you choose a Bible translation, how can you make sure your decision is guided by a desire for accuracy?
How can you grow in discernment to recognize when a passage includes all people versus when it intentionally uses masculine terms for God or others?

engage

What examples in Scripture show the importance of keeping gender-specific terms, and why does it matter for understanding God’s character?
What does gender inclusive language and gender specific language reveal about what God intended to communicate to us?
What principles should guide us when selecting a translation in light of gender-language concerns?