Polygamy And Sin: Biblical Verses Explained

The Bible does not directly use the word polygamy when prohibiting multiple marriages. However, it defines marriage as a union between one man and one woman, becoming one flesh. This definition is supported by verses in both the Old and New Testaments, such as Genesis 2:24 and Matthew 19:4-6. While the Old Testament records instances of polygamy among devotees to God, it does not encourage the practice. The New Testament further emphasises monogamy, with passages like 1 Timothy 3:2 and 12, and Titus 1:6, stating that church leaders should be the husband of one wife. Despite some debate among Christians, the majority view is that polygamy is a sin according to the Bible.

Polygamy is not explicitly prohibited in the Bible

The Bible does not explicitly prohibit polygamy, and several passages describe instances of polygamy among devotees to God. However, the Bible also provides examples of the devastation that polygamy can cause, and the New Testament upholds monogamy as God's plan for marriage.

The Bible's description of polygamy is primarily focused on polygyny, or one man having more than one wife, rather than polyandry, or one woman having multiple husbands. This may be because polyandry is considered unlawful according to the Hebrew Bible's laws of adultery (for example, Deuteronomy 22:22) and in the New Testament (for example, Romans 7:3).

The Torah, the first five books of the Hebrew Bible, contains specific regulations that apply to polygyny, such as instructions on the treatment of multiple wives and their children. For example, Exodus 21:10 states, "If he takes another wife for himself, he shall not diminish her food, her clothing, or her marital rights."

Several notable figures in the Bible are described as having multiple wives, including Esau, Jacob, Elkanah, David, and Solomon. Abraham is described as having three wives: Sarah, Hagar, and Keturah.

While the Bible does not explicitly prohibit polygamy, there are several factors that suggest that it is not God's plan for marriage. Firstly, it is important to distinguish between descriptive and prescriptive texts in the Bible. Descriptive texts describe events that took place, but they are not necessarily actions that should be modelled or followed. In contrast, prescriptive texts are those in which God has shared what He wills for our lives. For example, while the Bible describes instances of polygamy, there are no passages where God commands or instructs men to take multiple wives.

Secondly, the nature of the polygamous relationships described in the Bible is often spoken of negatively. For example, Abraham's decision to take Hagar as his wife was a result of his lack of trust in God's promise that he and Sarah would have a son. Jacob's marriage to Leah was not initially desired, and his subsequent marriage to Rachel led to strife between the sisters. David's covetousness and adultery are also condemned in the Bible.

Thirdly, while the New Testament upholds Old Testament figures such as Abraham and David for their faith, it does not endorse them as moral examples, particularly in regards to their marital practices. Instead, the New Testament authors emphasize the importance of monogamy and present marriage as a sacred covenant between one man and one woman. For example, in Ephesians 5:22-33, Paul instructs husbands to love their wives and refers back to Genesis 2:24, emphasizing God's standard for marriage as one man and one woman.

Finally, the expectation for elders and deacons in the church is that they should be married to one wife (1 Timothy 3:2, 12; Titus 1:6). Church leaders are meant to be examples for Christians to follow, further reinforcing the idea that monogamy is God's plan for marriage.

God's design for marriage is one man and one woman

The Bible is clear that God intended marriage to be a lifelong, covenantal, monogamous union between one man and one woman. This is seen in Genesis 2:24, where God says, "Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh." Jesus confirmed this understanding of marriage in Mark 10:6-9 and Matthew 19:4-6, where he quotes from Genesis and adds that what God has joined together, let no one separate.

The New Testament also upholds this view of marriage. In Ephesians 5:22-33, Paul instructs husbands to love their wives and refers back to Genesis 2:24. He finishes this analogy by stating, "Let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband" (Ephesians 5:33). The expectation for elders and deacons in the church is that they, too, are married to one wife (1 Timothy 3:2, 12; Titus 1:6).

Furthermore, the nature of polygamous relationships in the Old Testament is often spoken of negatively. For example, Abraham took Hagar as his wife because he did not trust God's promise to give him a son through Sarah. Jacob's marriage to Leah was not initially desired, and when he later married Rachel, it caused strife between the sisters. David's sin of covetousness led him to take Bathsheba as another one of his many wives, committing adultery. Solomon, despite preaching wisdom, did not practice it and turned away from the Lord to worship false gods.

While the Bible does not explicitly forbid polygamy, it is clear from these examples, as well as God's original design for marriage, that His intention is for marriage to be between one man and one woman.

Polygamy is forbidden in Scripture

The Bible does not explicitly use the word "polygamy" to prohibit the practice. However, it defines marriage as a sacred covenant between one man and one woman, becoming one flesh. This definition of marriage as a monogamous union is found in several Bible verses, including Genesis 2:24, Matthew 19:5, Mark 10:7, Ephesians 5:31, 1 Timothy 3:2 and 12, and 1 Corinthians 7:2.

While the Old Testament describes numerous examples of polygamy among devotees to God, these instances are not presented as God's ideal or as a prescription for marriage. Instead, they are descriptive texts that showcase the historical reality of the time without condoning or encouraging polygamy.

The Bible also provides several examples of the negative consequences of polygamous relationships, such as bitterness, jealousy, strife, and adultery. For instance, Abraham's marriage to Hagar caused strife between her and Sarah, his first wife. Jacob's marriage to Leah and Rachel resulted in jealousy and strife between the sisters. David's covetousness and adultery with Bathsheba, who was married to Uriah, is another example of the negative consequences of polygamy.

Furthermore, the New Testament upholds monogamy as God's design for marriage. In 1 Timothy 3:2, 12, and Titus 1:6, church leaders are instructed to be the "husband of one wife," indicating that polygamy is not in alignment with God's plan for marriage.

In summary, while the Bible does not explicitly condemn polygamy, it clearly defines marriage as a monogamous union between one man and one woman. The negative examples of polygamy in the Old Testament and the instructions for church leaders in the New Testament further reinforce the understanding that polygamy is not God's intention for marriage.

Polygamy is not God's original plan for marriage

The practice of polygamy, where an individual has multiple spouses, is a controversial topic that has sparked debates and discussions among religious scholars and theologians for centuries. While some cultures and religions may accept or tolerate polygamy, it is essential to examine what the Bible says about this practice and whether it aligns with God's original intent for marriage. Through a careful examination of Scripture, we can discern that polygamy is not part of God's perfect design for the sacred union of marriage.

In the beginning, God created Adam and Eve, bringing them together in the first marriage (Genesis 2:22-24). This foundational account sets the precedent for God's design of a monogamous relationship between one man and one woman. The Bible describes this union as a covenant, reflecting the permanence and exclusivity intended for marriage. Throughout the rest of Scripture, we find that this pattern of one man and one woman united in marriage is consistently upheld and reinforced.

Old Testament figures such as Abraham, Jacob, and David had multiple wives and concubines. However, these instances of polygamy were not without consequences. The narratives often depict the complexities, conflicts, and heartaches that arose within these polygamous relationships. For example, Abraham's decision to take Hagar as a concubine led to strife between Hagar and Sarah, and the birth of Ishmael brought about a complex family dynamic that continues to have implications even today (Genesis 16). Similarly, Jacob's marriages to Leah and Rachel, and his subsequent relationships with their maids, Zilpah and Bilhah, resulted in jealousy, rivalry, and family discord (Genesis 29-30).

Rather than endorsing polygamy, these biblical accounts serve as cautionary tales, illustrating the challenges and difficulties that arise when deviating from God's original design for marriage. They demonstrate the complexities and potential pitfalls of polygamous relationships and reinforce the idea that monogamy is God's intended standard.

Furthermore, Jesus Christ himself reaffirmed the sanctity of monogamous marriage. In Matthew 19:4-6, Jesus quoted from Genesis, stating, "Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, 'Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'? So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate." Here, Jesus underscores the importance of the lifelong union between one man and one woman, reflecting God's original plan for marriage.

In conclusion, while polygamy has been practiced throughout history, including by certain figures in the Bible, it is not God's perfect design for marriage. The creation account, the teachings of Jesus, and the overall narrative arc of Scripture consistently point towards monogamy as God's intended standard. The challenges and complexities depicted in the stories of polygamous relationships in the Bible serve as a reminder that deviating from God's original plan can lead to difficulties and heartaches. Therefore, upholding monogamy as the biblical standard for marriage honors God's design and promotes healthy, harmonious relationships.

Polygamy is condemned in the New Testament

While the Bible does not explicitly condemn polygamy, there are several passages in the New Testament that can be interpreted as speaking against polygamous relationships.

The first and most prominent example is found in the qualifications for leaders in the church given by the Apostle Paul to Timothy and Titus. In three separate passages (1 Timothy 3:2, 12, and Titus 1:6), church leaders are instructed to be the "husband of one wife." This has been interpreted by some Christian denominations as a prohibition of polygamy. Others argue that polygamy is allowed for laypeople, but not for church leaders. Still, others argue that the passage is intended to prevent church leaders from divorcing their first wives.

Another passage that may indicate a condemnation of polygamy is found in 1 Corinthians 7:1-16, where Paul uses the singular form of "wife" and "husband" throughout the passage. This is consistent with the New Testament writers in general, who tend to use singular nouns when referring to marriage. For example, in Ephesians 5:22-33, Paul refers to "husband" and "wife" in the singular, indicating that marriage is intended to be between one man and one woman.

Additionally, in Matthew 19:4-5, Jesus himself confirms the understanding of marriage as a union between one man and one woman when he quotes from Genesis 2:24: "Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh." Jesus further emphasizes the covenantal nature of marriage, stating that divorce is only allowed due to the hardness of people's hearts.

Furthermore, in Romans 7, the Apostle Paul explains that marriage is a bond for life. He states that death is the only moral means of ending a marriage in God's sight. Ending a marriage through divorce involves sinful behaviour that destroys the covenantal contract of marriage. Therefore, any marriage entered into while the original spouse is still alive is not recognized by God as a true marriage but is instead condemned as immoral and contrary to law.

In summary, while the New Testament does not explicitly condemn polygamy, there are several passages that indicate that marriage is intended to be a lifelong, monogamous union between one man and one woman. This is further emphasized by the expectation that church leaders should be married to only one wife and by the singular language used when referring to marriage throughout the New Testament.

Frequently asked questions