The Bible is clear that God is spirit and that He is neither male nor female (John 4:24). Numbers 23:19 states, “God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?” Though God is not a human or a sexed being, God uses masculine pronouns and imagery when revealing Himself to humanity. In accordance with this biblical standard, Christians have rightly used masculine pronouns when referring to God.
In both the Old and New Testaments, God deliberately chose to use masculine pronouns for Himself. In Hebrew, which has no gender-neutral pronouns, God used the masculine. In Greek, which has gender-neutral pronouns, God is still referred to in the masculine.
Grammatical pronouns aside, biblical metaphors for God are also predominantly male—the primary ones being Father and King, with Father used approximately 170 times in Scripture and King, not queen, in many passages as well (Psalm 24:10; Isaiah 44:6; 1 Timothy 1:17). That being said, a few passages do use motherhood as a simile to communicate the heart of God to comfort and protect His children (for example Isaiah 66:13; Matthew 23:37). But these are similes and are not used as titles or names for God.
Also compelling is the fact that Jesus Christ came to earth as God incarnate and He came as a physical man rather than as a woman. The Bible says that Jesus is the visible image of the invisible God who suffered torture and crucifixion on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins and rose again from death after three days, proving His identity claims as God and the effectiveness of His work on the cross (Colossians 1:13–15; 1 Corinthians 15:3–4). Jesus conquered sin and death, and all who trust in Him are reconciled to God and given eternal life (John 3;16–18; 2 Corinthians 5:17–21; Ephesians 1:3–14).
Should we use masculine pronouns to refer to God? Absolutely. Assuredly, God is spirit, which means He doesn't have physical genetics or characteristics that would make Him a "male." However, God has chosen to intentionally reveal Himself to humankind using masculine terms. Throughout the Bible, God is consistently a "He." Because of this, we too, must use masculine pronouns when referring to God.
Why are pronouns with God such a big issue for some people? For some, it’s simply a curiosity. For others, contemporary cultural debates around gender cause confusion. For others, the exclusive use of masculine pronouns for God hits on something deeper. For example, some have a misunderstanding of the equal value of men and women, and thus they view the use of masculine terms for God as problematic. To be clear, the Bible affirms that God values both men and women equally. Both are made in His image, and both are vital in His work on the world (Genesis 1:27–28). The Bible also acknowledges that men and women were created differently for specific purposes. Use of masculine terms for God says nothing about the value of women. Historically, the Christian faith has done more to elevate the value of all human beings than any other religion or world philosophy. A biblical worldview affirms both women and men. Others question the use of masculine pronouns for God because they have had negative or harmful experiences with male figures in their lives. They might struggle with the reality of God as “Father” or perhaps view titles like “King” as something despotic. Unfortunately humans do not accurately reflect the truth and love of God. But we cannot judge God based on our experience of humans. Instead, we need to look to His Word to know His character and we can look to Him for healing.
In short, the Bible uses masculine pronouns for God and presents God to us with male metaphors. When God the Son became incarnate, He did so as a male—the last Adam (1 Corinthians 15:45–49). Thus we refer to God in the masculine. The Bible also affirms that both men and women are made in God’s image, both reflect Him, both are invited to salvation, and both are vital in His plans. Paul wrote in Galatians 3:26–29, "for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise.” Heaven itself will be filled with people, male and female, from every tribe, tongue, race and creed who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior (Revelation 7:9; Romans 10:9–10).
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