Christians: Is polygamy a sin?

Question

The Bible specifically allows for it. The only "rule" written about it is that it's wrong to marry two sisters since they'll compete for attention.

Nearly every Biblical patriarch was a polygamist. God blessed them and multiplied their children because of it. Some of them were even commanded by God to take more wives.

Is polygamy a sin if the Bible endorses it and there's not a single verse in the Bible that condemns it?

And if you say, "Jesus said so" I would like a verse reference, please.

Annep, that's a silly argument. By that rule, the only thing that would make polygamy "not a sin" would be a minor change in the laws. I think we can all agree that "sin" is a bit more fundamental than whatever Congress decides.

Miriam, thanks for telling me what "Jesus said" without actually referencing where he said it so that I can check to see if you're making it up.

Answer 1

Wait... someone whose actually reading the bible and thinking at the same time? Must not be a Christian...

Answer 2

Here is what Jesus taught in the New Testament: “Moses [not God!] because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so. And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, commits adultery: and whoso marries her which is put away does commit adultery” (Matt. 19:8-9). Take careful note that Jesus’ instruction declares God’s will about marriage has been “from the beginning.” In other words, nothing has changed in the mind of God.

if you read the whole testament you will see where people the patriarchs have suffered because of the lusts of their flesh...in the Bible no man is perfect and all fall short...yes that means all the patriarchs too...some repented and stopped their adulterous ways...but the ones that didn't God dealt with...none were blessed continueally in their sin...that would go against Gods holiness and righteousness...

The thing about the Bible is that you can't take pieces here and there...you must read it and understand it in its entirety and understand what and who is what pertaining to...you are taking bits and pieces and trying to put God in some kind of box...but the fact is is that the Bible is the only book where men fail over and over again and are punished for their sins...none are perfect and not one men is glorified except for God Himself...and that is how it should be.

Answer 3

The New Testament clearly states that a man is to have one wife. Jesus taught the two are to become one flesh. He did not say two plus one plus one, etc. God's original plan called for one man and one woman only, but the sin of man changed all that. God has never liked polygamy, and the second wife has never had the standing that the first wife had. Way back when, God allowed as a means to fulfill his plan. God does not endorse it today and neither does the law.

Answer 4

Your statement is fairly sound. The reason that the patriarchs were allowed to have many wives, is that infant mortality was very high then. More wives meant more children had a chance to survive. In addition, the patriarchs were allowed to have concubines. This was what is called the Patriarchal Age. All this was before the giving of the Ten Commandments.

When the Ten Commandments were given to Moses, one of the prohibitions was. " Thou shalt not commit adultery." Exodus 20:14.

"The Fifth Dispensation: Law. This dispensation extends from Sinai to Calvary-from the Exodus to the Cross. The history of Israel in the wilderness and in the land is one long record of the violation of the law. The testing of the nation by law ended in the judgment of the Captivities, but the dispensation itself ended at the Cross." C.I. Scofield.

The Ten Commandments are referred to as the Law. "Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. " Galatians 3:24,25.

If you recall what Jesus said in Matthew 5:27,28;" Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath already in his heart."

We are not allowed to commit adultery or polygamy. Both are crimes against God and the State in most places. Although it is not a felony, it is a misdomeanor. Which can get your jailed, fined or both. It would be very useful as evidence in a civil suit. It would almost guarantee a judgment in your favor.

This should answer your question.

Answer 5

The true question lies in how one arrives at multiple spouses.

In Genesis 16, Abram takes his wife's handmaid to raise up children in her name. In Genesis 30, Rachel gives Jacob her handmaid so that she can have children vicariously through her. Both of those are in keeping with tradition of the Semitic peoples and were allowed because God had commanded them to raise up children. In 2 Sam 5:13 we read that David TOOK more women to wife.

If God gives a man multiple women, then it was blessed by him. If a man takes multiple women to fulfill the lusts of his desires without endorsement from God, then it becomes contrary to the will of God.

Answer 6

In Mark 10:2 Jesus was asked if it was lawful for a man to divorce his wife. Jesus answered in vs 5-9. Also, in Matthew 5:32 Jesus says anyone who puts away his wife except for unfaithfulness commits adultery. Naturally, if your wife dies, you may remarry. These are the only ways a man can have more than one wife. Hope this helps you.

Answer 7

Yes it is a sin. Where in the bible does it say it is not a sin? In the old testament many did but many did other sins as well for only one man was without sin. Just because they did it in the bible does not make it right. David killed a man for his wife, Moses broke the tablets and struck the rocks with the rod and both of them are in Heaven.

Answer 8

Yes, it is. Back then there weren't many righteouss people, and the righteouss were getting killed off fast. So God told the Patriarchs, or rather gave them the authority, to take multiple wives so that they could quickly build up a large group of righteouse people. Today we don't have that problem, there's alot of good and alot of bad, but there's ALOT of people. If it were right for us to have polygamy today, then we would, and it would be legal, the Lord would cause it to be so.

Answer 9

Actually, it was allowed early on, but Christians were told to be "husbands of one wife". 1 Tim 3: 2 This is a requirement of those taking the lead in the congregations.

Answer 10

Liberals hate polygamy because that would put more people into a married type of relationship resulting in lower tax revenues to support their worthless causes.

Otherwise, no, its not a sin.

To those quoting "to obey the law of the land" that only applies when the government is not interfering in your ability to worship God. Since the liberals are trying to remove God from all government institutions, I would say that no longer applies. Therefore, we no longer have to obey the law of the land!

Answer 11

Mark 10:7 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife;

1Corinthians 7:2 Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.

Ephesians 5:31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

1Timothy 3:2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

1Peter 3:7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with [them] according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

These are but a few verses in the new testament that refer to the concept of one man one wife. I do not dispute that polygamy (and incest) existed in the old times but even as civilsation has evolved even as evidenced in the scriptures, polygamy is not right. I do not know and therefore cannot state whether it is a sin if anyone can point to a biblical reference in this regard please educate me!

Now for your sake I hope you are not considering polygamy for the saying goes "one wife = one problem, many wives = many problems". A word is enough for the wise!

Happy days!