man of god
C1Formal, Religious
Definition
Meaning
A male religious leader, cleric, or someone considered to be exceptionally devout or spiritually guided.
Can refer to any person (often male) believed to have a special relationship with the divine or who serves as a spiritual guide. In broader contexts, it may be used to describe someone of great moral integrity and faith.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term is strongly associated with Abrahamic religions (Christianity, Judaism, Islam). It implies piety, spiritual authority, and a calling from God. It is almost exclusively applied to men. The plural is 'men of God'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Usage is slightly more common in American English, particularly in evangelical and charismatic Christian communities.
Connotations
In both varieties, it has a respectful, reverential connotation. In some modern secular contexts, it can be used with slight irony or skepticism.
Frequency
Higher frequency in religious communities in both the UK and US. In general discourse, it is a low-frequency phrase.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[be/consider/regard/view as] a man of Goda man of God [preached/led/prayed]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A man of God in the pulpit, a man of the world outside.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in theological, historical, or sociological studies of religion.
Everyday
Used primarily in religious conversations or when describing someone's perceived spiritual character.
Technical
Not a technical term, but used descriptively in religious studies.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He was widely man-of-Godded in the local community. (extremely rare/non-standard)
American English
- The congregation sought to man-of-God their new pastor. (extremely rare/non-standard)
adverb
British English
- He spoke man-of-God-ly, with great conviction. (non-standard, humorous)
American English
- He acted man-of-God-ly, offering counsel. (non-standard, humorous)
adjective
British English
- He had a certain man-of-God-like aura about him. (hyphenated adjectival use)
American English
- She appreciated his man-of-God sincerity. (hyphenated adjectival use)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The priest is a man of God.
- My grandfather was a good man of God.
- People in the village respected him as a true man of God.
- The man of God prayed for the sick child.
- Despite the scandal, many still viewed the bishop as a man of God.
- He lived a simple life, consistent with his role as a man of God.
- The charismatic leader was considered not just a preacher but a genuine man of God, whose integrity was unquestioned.
- In his writings, he explored the tension between being a man of God and operating in the secular world of politics.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'man' with a halo or holding a Bible, directly under 'God's' gaze. The 'of' connects them, showing possession by or devotion to God.
Conceptual Metaphor
HUMAN IS A VESSEL/CONDUIT FOR THE DIVINE, PIETY IS UP (a 'high' calling).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate literally as 'человек бога'. The equivalent is 'служитель Бога', 'святой человек', 'пастырь', or 'священнослужитель'.
- The Russian phrase 'божий человек' exists but carries a more specific, often wandering/holy fool (юродивый) connotation, which is narrower than the English term.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect plural: 'man of Gods' (should be 'men of God').
- Using for a woman (archaic/highly unusual; 'woman of God' is the modern equivalent).
- Misspelling as 'man of god' without capitalising 'God' in religious contexts.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'man of God' MOST appropriately used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is gender-specific. The equivalent term for a woman is 'woman of God'.
No, it is often a descriptive term of respect rather than an official title like 'Reverend' or 'Priest'.
Yes, it can be used in Judaism and Islam, though specific terms like 'rabbi' or 'imam' are more common. It generally applies to monotheistic faiths.
Yes, in informal secular contexts, it can be used with irony or skepticism to describe someone acting with (often self-righteous) moral authority, e.g., 'He's acting like he's some kind of man of God.'