What does the Bible say about the purpose of man (humanity)?

TL;DR:

The purpose of humanity is to glorify God. We can glorify God as we surrender to Him, find our identity in Him, and live according to His ways, reflecting His character and work to a world that desperately needs Him.

what does the bible say?

The ultimate purpose of humanity is to glorify God, as highlighted throughout the Bible. We fulfill this purpose by knowing God, worshiping Him with joy and gratitude, and living according to His will. Created in God's image, our lives should be devoted to Him and reflect His character, which involves loving God and others. Along with reflecting God to the world, believers are also tasked with spreading the gospel and making disciples. Through faith in Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection for the forgiveness of sins, we are reconciled to God and empowered to live in a way that glorifies Him, fulfilling the purpose of humanity.

from the old testament

The creation mandate, found in Genesis 1:26-28, reveals that the purpose of man is to reflect God's image and rule over creation. God created humanity to fill the earth, subdue it, and have dominion over all living creatures, serving as stewards of the earth. Humanity was also called to multiply and be fruitful, ensuring that God's creation thrives and flourishes under human care.
The ultimate purpose of man (humanity) is to glorify God (Isaiah 43:7). We are to know Him and make Him known, and this glorifies Him.
We glorify God by acknowledging who God is and worshiping Him with gladness and thanksgiving. Psalm 100:2–4 says:
"Serve the LORD with gladness!
Come into his presence with singing!
Know that the LORD, he is God!
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him; bless his name!"
Because we were created in God's image, we fulfill our purpose through a life devoted to Him (Genesis 1:26–27).
We glorify God by honoring and serving Him with our lives and in our decisions. The ability to do this starts in the heart: "Only fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you" (1 Samuel 12:24; see also John 17:4).
After a period of living a life of self-indulgence, King Solomon concluded that living for oneself was useless. The ultimate purpose of man is to live a life of obedience to God (Ecclesiastes 12:13–14).

from the new testament

Humans are created to glorify God and reflect His image. This is evident in passages like Matthew 5:16, where Jesus encourages His followers to let their light shine before others so they may see their good works and give glory to God. First Peter 2:9–12 conveys a similar message.
In Mark 12:30–31, Jesus summarizes the law by commanding us to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbors as ourselves. This reflects God’s purpose for humanity: loving God and loving others.
Believers are commissioned to spread the message of Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:19–20). Jesus instructs His followers to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them to obey all that He has commanded.
In our natural sinful state, we are unable to glorify God, but thanks to Jesus Christ's sacrifice of His own life, we have a reconciled relationship with God—there is no longer a sin barrier between us and God. When we live submitted to Christ, we are able to bring glory to Christ by exemplifying Him to others (2 Corinthians 3:1–6).

implications for today

The more we know God, the more we love Him and understand His plans and purposes. We all have unique plans and purposes designed for us by God from before we were even born: "Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them" (Psalm 139:16). In the New Testament, Paul affirms that God "had set me apart before I was born" (see Galatians 1:15–16). The most important thing to remember is that all of God's plans and purposes for us will ultimately result in His glory. "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31).

understand

Humanity’s main purpose is to glorify God and reflect Him to the world.
Humanity is created in God's image to reflect His character by loving Him and others.
Humanity lives out their purposes when they surrender to God and allow Him to transform their lives.

reflect

How does your life currently reflect your purpose to glorify God? Would any changes help you align more closely with this purpose?
How have you seen God’s character developed in your life? How can you be a reflection of His character?
What steps can you, as a believer, take to better share the gospel and make disciples?

engage

What do God’s purposes for humanity reveal about His character and His intentions for humanity?
What challenges do believers face in reflecting God’s character and spreading the gospel? How can we respond to those challenges?
What does it practically look like to glorify God in everyday life?