Seti
Polyamory, defined as having multiple romantic partners at the same time with everyone's consent, is becoming more well-known and practised. While the Bible does not explicitly mention polyamory, it is considered a sin by some because it goes against God's intentions for marriage, which is defined as a union between one man and one woman. The Bible's teachings emphasise the importance of monogamy, faithfulness, and purity in marital relationships.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Polyamory defined | Multiple sexual partners, not necessarily at the same time |
| Biblical view of marriage | Between one man and one woman |
| Polyamory in the Bible | Polygamy was practised by several Biblical characters, but not endorsed |
| Biblical law on polygamy | A king "shall not acquire many wives for himself" (Deuteronomy 17:17) |
| Adultery | Sex outside of marriage is considered adultery (Exodus 20:14) |
| Marital love | Pure, faithful, committed, and jealous |
| Sin | Going against God's intent, design, and instructions for romantic relationships |
What You'll Learn
Polyamory is not endorsed by the Bible
Jesus reaffirmed this teaching when addressing the subject of divorce: "But from the beginning of creation, God 'made them male and female.' 'For this reason, a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'; so then they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let not man separate" (Mark 10:6-9).
The Bible speaks of sex within marriage as pure (Hebrews 13:4) and sex outside of marriage as immoral and adulterous (1 Corinthians 6:13, 18; 10:8; Galatians 5:19; Ephesians 5:3; Colossians 3:5; 1 Thessalonians 4:3).
The Bible's stance on monogamy is further supported by the fact that polygamy, or having multiple wives, is never portrayed positively in Scripture. Although several Old Testament patriarchs and kings, such as Abraham, Jacob, David, and Solomon, had multiple wives, these accounts always result in problems, strife, jealousy, and misery. For example, David's polygamy led to incest, brutal violence, murder, and competition between his children for the inheritance of his throne. Solomon's polygamy led him to allow idolatry for the sake of his many wives.
Additionally, the Mosaic law specifies that a king "shall not acquire many wives for himself" (Deuteronomy 17:17), indicating that having multiple wives is a breach of Biblical law. In the New Testament, a qualification to be an elder or deacon is to be "the husband of one wife" (1 Timothy 3:2, 12; Titus 1:6).
The Bible's teaching on marriage is clear, and polyamory goes against this teaching. Marriage is defined as a monogamous relationship between one man and one woman, and any form of romantic or sexual relationship involving more than two people is not endorsed by the Bible and is considered sinful.
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Polyamory is adultery
Polyamory is a sin in the Bible. The Bible is clear and consistent in its teaching that marriage is between one man and one woman. This is first taught at the creation of the first man and woman, where it says, "Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh" (Genesis 2:24). The nature of marriage is part of the created order.
Jesus reaffirmed this teaching when asked about divorce (Matt 19:4-6; Mark 10:6-9). The seventh commandment forbids adultery – which is sexual activity outside of marriage. The Bible speaks of sex outside of marriage as immoral and adulterous (1 Corinthians 6:13, 18; 10:8; Galatians 5:19; Ephesians 5:3; Colossians 3:5; 1 Thessalonians 4:3). Sex within marriage is described as pure (Hebrews 13:4).
The Mosaic law specifies that a king "shall not acquire many wives for himself" (Deuteronomy 17:17), which means that those kings such as David and Solomon who had multiple wives clearly breached Biblical law. In the New Testament, a qualification to be an elder or deacon is that he should be "the husband of one wife" (1 Timothy 3:2, 12; Titus 1:6). Also, 1 Corinthians 7:2 says, "each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband," in a further endorsement of monogamy.
The Bible does contain several examples of polygamy, where a man has more than one wife. However, this does not mean that the Bible endorses such behaviour. There are also examples of murder, rape, and adultery in the Bible, which are not endorsed. The Bible never condones polygamy; it simply describes it as part of the lifestyle of a typical ancient Middle-eastern chieftain. The Israelites likely picked up the custom of polygamy from their pagan neighbours.
If you study the biblical instances of polygamy in detail, you will discover that none of them are portrayed in a positive light. In every case, the practice of keeping multiple wives results in problems for the king or patriarch in question. In some cases, those problems are very serious. For example, David's polygamy led to incest, brutal violence, murder, and competition between his children for the inheritance of his throne. Solomon's polygamy led him to allow idolatry for the sake of the many women he claimed to love.
The Bible also contains case law relating to polygamy, which assumes that there will be cases of polygamy that will cause jealousy and disputes about the rights of the firstborn (Deuteronomy 21:15-17). This does not mean that the Bible approves of or endorses polygamy. Similarly, Exodus 21:10-11 specifies that if a man takes another wife, he should properly provide for her. This does not endorse taking another wife but makes clear that a man cannot abuse any wives that he may have.
Polyamory is a modern form of polygamy, and it goes against God's intent, design, and instructions for romantic relationships. God created love and romance to be shared between only two people—one man and one woman. This bond was meant to be strong and to grow through a shared lifetime of togetherness. Jesus talked about this, saying, "what God has joined together, let not man separate" (Mark 10:6-9).
God built his standard for marriage into his core moral law. Knowing how powerful the sexual relationship between human beings is, God wanted it harnessed within marriage for the benefit of both partners. Sharing sexuality between multiple partners naturally provokes jealousy (Song of Solomon 8:6; Proverbs 6:34).
Sharing romantic love with multiple partners also destroys one of the major physical teaching tools God uses to instruct us about Christ's relationship with the Church. God's people are to be like a "chaste virgin" spiritually betrothed "to one husband" (2 Corinthians 11:2). Any form of poly connected to the topic of romance and marriage—including polyamory and polygamy—goes directly against God's instructions. To willingly and knowingly break God's instructions is a sin (James 4:17; 1 John 3:4).
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God's intent for marriage is monogamy
The Bible is clear that God's intention for marriage is monogamy. In the book of Genesis, we find the foundational account of marriage, where God creates one woman for one man, and they become "one flesh" (Genesis 2:24). This principle of a man and a woman becoming one is reiterated by Jesus in Mark 10:6-9, reinforcing God's design for marriage as a lifelong, exclusive union between one man and one woman.
The Bible does record instances of polygamy, where men like Abraham, Jacob, David, and Solomon had multiple wives and concubines. However, these examples are not presented as a model to follow. Instead, they serve as cautionary tales, demonstrating the strife, jealousy, and misery that result from deviating from God's design for marriage. For instance, Solomon's many wives led him into idolatry, and David's polygamy resulted in incest, violence, and competition among his children.
Furthermore, the Bible explicitly commands against polygamy for the kings of Israel (Deuteronomy 17:17). Additionally, in the New Testament, the qualifications for church leaders include being "the husband of one wife" (1 Timothy 3:2, 12; Titus 1:6), emphasizing the expectation of monogamy.
The Bible's teaching on marriage as a monogamous relationship is also reflected in its view of sexual intimacy. The Bible consistently teaches that sex within marriage is pure and sacred (Hebrews 13:4), while sex outside of marriage is immoral and adulterous (1 Corinthians 6:13, 18; 10:8; Galatians 5:19; Ephesians 5:3; Colossians 3:5; 1 Thessalonians 4:3).
Polyamory, by its very nature, contradicts God's design for marriage and sexual purity. It involves multiple sexual and romantic relationships, which go against the exclusivity and unity that God intended for marriage. The Bible's consistent emphasis on faithfulness and jealousy in marriage (Exodus 20:5) further underscores the incompatibility of polyamory with God's plan.
In conclusion, God's intent for marriage is clearly monogamy, as evidenced by the creation account, Jesus' teachings, and the overall biblical narrative. While there may be a growing acceptance of polyamory in society, it does not align with the biblical standard of marriage as a lifelong, monogamous covenant between one man and one woman.
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Polyamory is incompatible with the Bible's description of marital love
The Bible's description of marital love is one of purity, faithfulness, and commitment. It is a union between one man and one woman, where the two become "one flesh" (Genesis 2:22-24). This monogamous relationship is God's intent and design for marriage, as stated in Mark 10:6-9:
> "But from the beginning of creation, God 'made them male and female.' 'For this reason, a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'; so then they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let not man separate."
Polyamory, on the other hand, involves multiple romantic and sexual partners, which contradicts the Bible's teaching of marital exclusivity. The Bible speaks of sex within marriage as pure (Hebrews 13:4) and clearly condemns sexual immorality and adultery, which includes sex outside of marriage (1 Corinthians 6:18, Galatians 5:19, Ephesians 5:3, Colossians 3:5, 1 Thessalonians 4:3, Exodus 20:14).
The Bible's description of marital love also includes jealousy, reflecting God's jealousy for the worship that only He deserves (Exodus 20:5). In the same way, spouses should be jealous of the love that is rightfully theirs alone. Polyamory, by its very nature, undermines this exclusivity and the depth of emotional and physical intimacy that God intends for marriage.
Furthermore, the Bible provides examples of polygamy, such as Solomon, David, and other Old Testament patriarchs, but these instances are not portrayed positively. In each case, polygamy resulted in problems, strife, jealousy, and, in some cases, serious consequences (as seen in the life of David). These examples serve as a warning against the pitfalls of polyamory and reinforce the importance of monogamy in God's design for marriage.
In conclusion, polyamory is incompatible with the Bible's description of marital love because it contradicts the principles of purity, faithfulness, commitment, and exclusivity that are foundational to God's design for marriage between one man and one woman.
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Polyamory is sinful
The Bible says that God created marriage to be a union between one husband and one wife. This is first taught at the creation of the first man and the first woman: "Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh" (Genesis 2:24). The nature of marriage is part of the created order. Jesus repeated and reaffirmed this teaching when asked about divorce (Matt 19:4-6; Mark 10:6-9). The seventh commandment forbids adultery – which is sexual activity outside of marriage.
The Bible does not explicitly address polyamory, swinging, or the idea of an open marriage. However, the Bible speaks of sex within marriage as pure (Hebrews 13:4). The Bible also speaks of sex outside of marriage as immoral and adulterous (1 Corinthians 6:13, 18; 10:8; Galatians 5:19; Ephesians 5:3; Colossians 3:5; 1 Thessalonians 4:3). The Bible is clear that a spouse's permission to sin does not overrule God's Law.
The idea of multiple partners also destroys the idea of being someone's one-and-only beloved (Song of Solomon 2:16). It messes with very powerful brain chemicals, like oxytocin, that are designed to help bond two people emotionally and romantically. Polyamory is, in reality, a sophisticated way to cheat on your significant other, both physically and emotionally.
The Bible provides many examples of people leaving inappropriate lifestyles and aligning themselves with God's way. God's way of life is all about repentance, which means changing the direction of one's life.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, polyamory is considered a sin in the Bible. The Bible states that God's intention for marriage is a union between one man and one woman.
The Bible says that God created marriage to be a union between one husband and one wife. It also mentions that polygamy, which is similar to polyamory in its root desire to have multiple romantic attachments, is forbidden.
Some Old Testament personalities, such as Solomon, David, and Abraham, had multiple wives or concubines. However, these instances are not portrayed positively and are included to demonstrate the problems that arise from such practices.
Polyamory goes against God's intent, design, and instructions for romantic relationships. It contradicts the biblical teachings on marital love, which emphasize purity, faithfulness, and commitment.
From a societal perspective, polyamory contributes to the promotion of alternative lifestyles and family structures that deviate from traditional heterosexual monogamy. On an individual level, polyamory can lead to jealousy, strife, and a lack of emotional intimacy within relationships.
