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In polygamy, should a man divorce his wives after becoming a Christian?

by | Apr 3, 2021 | Questions, Marriage

In some cultures around the world, people practice polygamy. When they become Christians, should these men divorce all but one of their wives to adhere to the biblical teaching that marriage is between one man and one woman (Gen. 2:24; 1 Cor. 7:2; 1 Tim. 3:2)? No, they should not.Polygamy and divorce They should stay married, treat their wives well, and do not marry any more women. Furthermore, they would be disqualified from being an elder and pastor due to the following verses.

“For this reason, I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you, 6 namely, if any man is above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion,” (Titus 1:5–6).

Polygamy in the Old Testament

Polygamy was permitted in the Old Testament (Deut. 21:15), but God never commanded it. The first recorded polygamist was wicked Lamech (4:23). Jacob was tricked into marrying two women, Rachel and Leah (Gen. 29:16-30). Gideon had wives (Judges 8:30), as did Elkanah (1 Sam. 1:1-2), David (1 Sam. 25:43; 2 Sam. 5:13), Ashur (1 Chron. 4:5), Rehoboam (2 Chron. 11:21), and Solomon, who had 700 wives (1 Kings 11:1-3).

So, if God allowed polygamy in the Old Testament, shouldn’t it be allowed in the New Testament? No, it should not. God allowed polygamy because of the sin of people. But it was not how God originally created things.

  • “For this reason, a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh,” (Genesis 2:24).
  • “And He answered and said, ‘Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning MADE THEM MALE AND FEMALE, 5 and said, ‘FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH’? 6 So they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate,”” (Matthew 19:4–6).

Furthermore, as representatives of Christ, we are to marry one woman, just as God designed it (Gen. 2:24).  And we must not ignore Deuteronomy 17:17, which says, “He shall not multiply wives for himself, or else his heart will turn away; nor shall he greatly increase silver and gold for himself,” (Deuteronomy 17:17). This warning was fulfilled, for example, when the wives of Solomon lead him into idolatry (1 Kings 11:3).

So, polygamy is not the God-ordained means of marriage. Though it was permitted in the Old Testament, we ought not to practice it as Christians. But, as I said above, if a person already had wives when he became a Christian, he should stay with them, don’t divorce them, don’t marry any more, and treat them well.

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