
Let’s face it: Men today are a confused species. Some roar like lions but eat like pigs. Others wear skinny jeans and apologize for existing. But there’s a third kind of man who quietly chops wood, reads Proverbs, and knows how to pray and deadlift. So let’s talk about the three great tribes of men: Alpha, Beta, and Gamma—with tongue firmly in cheek, but Bible firmly in hand.
🦍 Alpha Males: Gorillas on Testosterone
Alpha males are what happens when healthy masculinity takes pre-workout—and then picks a fight with a cashier because he didn’t get extra protein in his smoothie.
- Dominate the room (but never the conversation).
- Flex on everyone (emotionally, financially, and on Instagram).
- Treat their truck like a girlfriend.
- Have never read a book without punching it.
Yes, they embody traditionally masculine traits—strength, decisiveness, confidence—but take them to an absurd extreme. They confuse leadership with tyranny and boldness with bullying.
“Alpha males are often admired by men and tolerated by women… until they’re not.” (Everyone who’s dated one)
The problem? They weaponize masculinity. They haven’t heard of Jesus washing feet; they think Christ’s masculinity peaked when He flipped tables. (To be fair, that was a pretty manly moment.)
🧣 Beta Males: Sensitive Souls in Cardigans
Beta males are the gentle, harmless types who wouldn’t squash a spider even if it were crawling on a baby. They’re introspective, soft-spoken, and deeply in touch with their feelings—which is admirable. But they often lack backbone, conviction, and the willingness to speak uncomfortable truths. These are men who confuse “peace” with “passivity.”
And here’s where it gets theologically spicy.
“…Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral… nor effeminate… will inherit the kingdom of God.” (1 Corinthians 6:9–10, NASB)
The Greek word here translated as malakoi literally means “soft ones.” It’s historically been debated, but it generally refers to moral passivity and lack of spiritual fortitude—not just physical traits. It entails complaining instead of taking action, being disempowered like a victim instead of striving for victory, and allowing women and children to fill the vacuum of leadership that they abdicate.
To be clear: this isn’t about gay men or sensitive men (those are covered by the word arsenokotai in the same passage) 1, but men who spiritually and morally abdicate their calling to lead, protect, and fight for what is good.
Still, Jesus complicates this a bit by mentioning one type of legitimate emasculated male:
“For there are eunuchs who were born that way… and there are eunuchs who made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 19:12, NIV)
Historically, eunuchs were castrated servants in royal courts—trusted with access to women but forbidden from participating. Jesus uses this as a metaphor for men who give up certain masculine privileges for a higher purpose. It’s not about weakness, but consecration.
So not all “non-alpha” men are rejected by God—only the ones who are cowardly and compromised.
🛡️ Gamma Males: Godly Gladiators
Now we arrive at the Gamma Male: the rare, resilient, redeemed man. He’s not soft, but he’s not a brute. He’s strong but restrained. Think Jesus of Nazareth meets Aragorn, with a dash of Mr. Miyagi.
- Fight battles, but not baristas.
- Speak truth, but with grace.
- Sweat, pray, and think deeply.
They are men who exhibit the fruit of the Spirit and know how to handle power, responsibility, and adversity. They’re protectors without being predators.
And here’s where Jordan Peterson drops some gold:
“A harmless man is not a good man. A good man is a very dangerous man who has that under voluntary control.” (Jordan B. Peterson, 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos (2018))
That’s Gamma Male 101: powerful, but under discipline. Like a sword in its sheath—not waving wildly, but ready to defend the good, the true, and the beautiful.
🔚 Conclusion: Don’t Be Alpha or Beta—Be Gamma
Let’s be honest. Alpha males burn out, beta males fade away. But gamma males build kingdoms—not their own, but God’s. They marry well, raise stable kids, preach with courage, apologize when they’re wrong, and look good doing it (because they dress for function, not Instagram).
The world doesn’t need more men who yell or whimper. It needs men who walk humbly with their God and aren’t afraid to get bloody when the time comes.
“Act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.” (1 Corinthians 16:13–14, ESV)
Brothers, let’s choose the narrow way. Let’s be gamma males.
- Debate: Is Homosexuality Compatible with Authentic Christianity? (WholeReason, 2010)[↩]