male and female He created them

so God created man in his own image,
   in the image of God he created him;
    male and female he created them.

 - genesis 1:27

this verse keeps running through my mind of recent.  it is so exciting and humbling to think about the fact that God himself hand crafted men and women in his own way for his own purpose.

but the thing that strikes me is that it says "male and female he created them".  if God created the two different sexes, should we not let him define what that distinction should be, and what the purpose for that distinction is?  in other words, should not the bible be our sole text for understanding this, rather than pop psychology, oprah and dr phil?

the bible has plenty of verses on what it means to be a man and what it means to be a woman, yet they are often avoided or go untouched by christian leaders who want to blend in with pop psychology.  but i will let them speak for themselves.

"To the woman he said,

   'I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing;
    in pain you shall bring forth children.
 Your desire shall be for your husband,
   and he shall rule over you.'"

-genesis 3:16

 "And to Adam he said,

  ...'cursed is the ground because of you;
    in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life;
thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you;
   and you shall eat the plants of the field.
By the sweat of your face
   you shall eat bread,
till you return to the ground."

-genesis 3:17-19

"An excellent wife who can find?
   She is far more precious than jewels.
The heart of her husband trusts in her,
   and he will have no lack of gain.
She does him good, and not harm,
   all the days of her life...

She rises while it is yet night
   and provides food for her household
   and portions for her maidens"

-proverbs 31:10-12, 15

"But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." 

-1 timothy 5:8 [the use of "he" implying to husbands/males]

"Strength and dignity are her clothing,
   and she laughs at the time to come.
She opens her mouth with wisdom,
   and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
She looks well to the ways of her household
   and does not eat the bread of idleness."

-proverbs 31:25-27

"[wives] let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious" 

-1 peter 3:4

"Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered."

-1 peter 3:7


all of these passages are addressed to wives or husbands.  

i'd like to hear your thoughts... what are the implications for single people?