2006-11-30 07:01:24 · 8 answers · asked by . 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
You can have as many as you can but it will be measured by how much equal time and love you can give each one. Without an iron hand but with compassion, can you maintain a peaceful household that everyone is free of envy, anxiety and jealousy?
2006-11-30 07:11:30 · answer #1 · answered by Rallie Florencio C 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Be careful of falling into the trap of thinking that every point of faith and morals has to be explicitly attested in Scripture. That isn’t the case. It’s an advantage if one can show Scripture clearly supporting a position, but it isn’t required.
On the subject of polygamy, Scripture indicates that for a time God did tolerate this practice during the Old Testament. However, it was portrayed even then as a negative thing. When Scripture describes the domestic life of polygamists, it brings out consistently the negative effects of polygamy—jealousy, taunting, conflict, favoritism—as different wives and children struggle for position within the family. (Take for example the strife between the wives of Abraham, Jacob, or Elkana; see Gen. 21, 29–30, 1 Sam. 1).
The problems were so clearly recognized that, even if there was not then a flat-out prohibition on the practice, there had to be special legislation concerning polygamy. Thus a husband playing favorites among his wives was not allowed to deprive the children of his first wife their inheritance rights in favor of the children of a more recent wife (Deut. 21:15–16). Kings in particular were forbidden to multiply wives to themselves (Deut. 17:17). Unfortunately, this prohibition was often not followed.
As time progressed, the problems with polygamy became more and more obvious, and it stopped being practiced.
The clincher came in the time of Christ, when Jesus indicated that marriage was to be restored to the state God had intended in Genesis 2. Thus Jesus prohibits divorce (Mark 10:2–9) on the grounds that it was not provided for in God’s original plan. God made one man and one woman to be together. Polygamy is ruled out by the same logic. God’s plan was for Adam and Eve to be together, not for Adam to be married first to Eve and then later to Barbara, and certainly not for Adam to be married to Eve and Barbara at the same time.
2006-11-30 15:05:40 · answer #2 · answered by madelaine_girard 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It does not. But multiple wives excludes you from certain ministries. 1 Tim 3:2, 12, Titus 1:6
2006-11-30 15:12:09 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nowhere does it say "wives" --It says "wife" and Mark 10:7 is a good verse to read.
Also:
Malachi 2:15
Has not the LORD made them one? In flesh and spirit they are his. And why one? Because he was seeking godly offspring. So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith with the wife of your youth.
Matthew 19:5
and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh' ?
2006-11-30 15:08:44 · answer #4 · answered by Mandolyn Monkey Munch 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Mark 10:7
Matt. 19:5
2006-11-30 15:05:01 · answer #5 · answered by lookn2cjc 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i would think that adultery in general would suffice to say no more than one wife, because any more would become adultery.
but also some other answers gave you scripture.
2006-11-30 15:23:22 · answer #6 · answered by simplemod400 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think it does. It just says not to neglect your other wives when you get a new one. That is what God said to David.
2006-11-30 15:04:48 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
Honor thy wife! wife as in SINGULAR!
2006-11-30 15:03:55 · answer #8 · answered by Angel Eve 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋