Polygamy In Christianity

Deuteronomy 25:5-6

Before the advent of Christ, the Israelites had a custom directed by God that, if a man dies, living his wife without seed, his brother should marry her and the first child of that union will bear the name of the deceased.

This custom or practice, resulted in polygamy in some cases because, sometimes, the living brother might be married already

By the time Jesus Christ came to this world, some people who through the custom in consideration were polygamous, became his followers.

At some point, he was asked, "what must I do to be saved" and how do we do the work of the Father? Another time he was asked "is it lawful to put away one's wife for every cause"

In all of these, he never gave the command for the polygamous man to put away his wives or the woman who is a second wife to leave her home.

Furthermore, Paul the apostle also knew that amongst the early believers, some were polygamous.

Thus, in his letter to Timothy, he recognized the presence of the Christian who has more than one wife. This is why in highlighting the prerequisites for appointment of church leaders, he said "a bishop must be the husband of one wife" but, he too, never gave any order that such union should be dissolved

May God help us to grow in grace and the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ

Amen

See 1 Corinthians 7:18 - 24

In verse 18, it says "is any man called being circumcised? let him not be uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised

Let us rephrase this verse: is any man called in polygamy? let him not seek monogamy. Is any called in monogamy? let him not be polygamous

Verse 19 says "circumcision is nothing, and uncircimcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God"

Again we rephrase: polygamy is nothing, and monogamy is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God

Verse 20 says "let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called"

This verse is pretty much straight and self explanatory. It says everyone should serve God same way they were saved. God's knows you are from a polygamous home before calling you to salvation. Therefore, remain in the same calling wherein you were called

Are you called being a second wife? care not for it: but if your husband decides to drive you away, then use your freedom to serve God. For God has call us unto liberty

Verse 24 says "Brethren, let every man wherein he is called, therein abide with God"

Polygamy will only hinder you from being elected into church office or having leadership roles in the church, but no verse of scripture says, you will not enter God's kingdom.

According to Paul, a man who has unruly children is disqualified from holding leadership position in the church. Same goes for the man with two or more wives (see 1Timothy 3: 1-12)

The fact that he made mentioned of those with more than one wife is a proof that there were polygamous people among the early believers; but, neither Jesus Christ nor any of the apostles ever gave a command for a man to practice monogamy by sending away his other wives before being accepted into the family of God.

Now

TO THE HUSBAND OF TWO OR MORE WIVES

Please do not put away/divorce your legally married wives because you've accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and only way to God.

This is because, God hates putting away.

Deutronomy 21:12: here God Almighty recognizes the possibility of having more than one wife and does not instruct the second wife to be put away

Throughout the old and new testament, there's no scripture that commands a man to put away his legally married wives before being accepted of God

Please, do not let anyone put an unnecessary burden on you. If you've turned away from sin and surrendered to Jesus Christ, you're saved and God has forgiven you.

Enjoy your freedom in Christ

Hope this makes sense

Cheers

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©Robert Godson