Polygamy

Introduction

Polygamy is nothing new. It was practiced among certain sections of Hindu society. Old Testament figures such as Abraham, David, Jacob and Solomon (had 700 wives and 300 concubines) were polygamists. The Islamic prophet Muhammad had 10 wives (although the Quran limits multiple wives to four). Reformation father Martin Luther at one time allowed a polygamous marriage. Studies have found that polygamy is still present, although not popular, in nearly 80% of the world's cultures, and as many as 50,000 polygamists live in the United States today. While often thought of as only an ancient, foreign, or cultic practice, a small contingent of Christians are getting into the lifestyle as well. It may surprise many to discover that the Bible does not specifically condemn the practice of polygamy (it is said that when Mark Twain was asked to cite a Bible verse that forbade polygamy, he answered: "No man can serve two masters"!). The basic biblical arguments pro and con will be dealt with below.

Old Testament Judaism

Polygamists may invoke Old Testament patriarchs in defense of their practice (several prominent OT figures such as Abraham, David, and Solomon had multiple wives and/or concubines). But many more examples of righteous believers can be found that were not polygamists (e.g. Adam, Noah, Job, Isaac, Joseph, etc.), and the first known polygamist, Lamech, was anything but holy (Gen. 4). Polygamy was authorized and even [implicitly] commanded in some  situations (e.g., the provision of a childless widow of a brother), but singular cases do not make a norm - examples could be found of virtually any action in Scripture, the question is one of whether or not that action is commanded or commendable. God did in fact allow polygamy in some cases (e.g. 2 Sam. 12:8 where God is said to have given David his wives).

Anti-polygamists argue that God’s original intention was for one man to be married to only one woman. The classic text on God's provision for marriage is Genesis 2:24 - “For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh." The two joined together are the image of God and are to rule in His place over creation. We also see in Deuteronomy 17:14-20, that kings were not to multiply wives (but this does not necessarily mean "add" - David, who was never reproached for his marriage habits had 7-8 wives and Solomon, who was reproached, had 700 plus 300 concubines). Frequently the relationship between God and his people is depicted as that between a single couple (Jer. 3:1-14; Ezk. 16; Hos. 1-3). Just as divorce was allowed because of the general sinfulness of man (but not as God's original plan) so polygamy for a time might have been allowed although it was often the cause of much pain as is clearly seen in many records of these polygamous situations in the Bible. Abraham's household was divided because of jealousy between Hagar and Sarah (a rivalry that extends to this very day) and Jacob also created spousal rivalry with additional wives. Solomon's wives drew him into idol worship. Historically, after Israel's return from Babylonian exile polygamy declined. Throughout the Talmudic age not one rabbi is known to have had more than one wife. Polygamy was practiced somewhat in 1st century Palestine by the government leaders, but among the Jews it was not accepted by the prestigious school of Hillel nor by the strict Dead Sea Sect  at Qumran.

New Testament Christianity

When Jesus was asked a question on divorce He responded not with cases of divorce in the Scriptures, but with Genesis 2:24 to establish the meaning of marriage from its creation (Mt. 19).  He argued that  "anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultery." But this argument would make no sense if polygamy were acceptable. The man could not commit adultery if unmarried, so if after a divorce of this kind he must still be considered married in some way. If that is the case then the second marriage would just be polygamy, not adultery, and there would be no problem (one cannot commit adultery with one's own spouse!). Paul uses the same principle but applies it to the wife arguing that “if she marries another man while her husband is still alive, she is called an adulteress” (Rom 7:2-3). The idea is that in cases of ungodly divorce the first marriage is still binding in God's eyes - it is a covenant that can only be properly broken under certain circumstances.

The relationship between God and his people is depicted as a monogamous couple is repeated as well in the New Testament (Eph. 5:22-30; Col. 3:18-19; 1 Pet. 3:1,7; Rev. 19:7-9). Some have erroneously thought that since the Church is made up of many members that this image is polygamous. This is absurd - the image is of singularity (the "Bride" - not "Brides" - of Christ). Moreover, if this kind of interpretation were true then not only would Jesus be a polygamist, He would also be a homosexual (for there are men in the Church), a pedophile (since there are children in the Church) and a necrophile (since there are dead people in the Church). This disgusting conclusion is so obviously false that it strains credulity to think that some actually employ arguments that logically lead to it.

To continue, Paul said that to avoid immorality each man should have his own wife (not wives), and each woman her own husband (not husbands) in 1  Cor.7:2. In  1 Timothy 3:2 Paul specifies that elders and deacons must be men “married only once” (NET - see also 5:9; Titus 1:6), although the meaning of this phrase is disputed (some understanding it to be excluding those who are unmarried, polygamous, divorced, or remarried after being widowed).  While specifically commanded for church leadership, the standards seem to reflect God's high standards. Further, church leaders cannot very well teach principles if they are not good examples. The elders are to set a pattern for the other believers (Heb.13:7,17). The New Testament gives believers only one unquestionable circumstance where a man can marry another woman and that is if his wife dies (Rom. 7:2-3).

Secular Law

Secular law in most western countries does not recognize polygamous marriages. However, they may not have laws against living a polygamous lifestyle - they simply refuse to give polygamy any official recognition. Rom. 13:1-7, Titus 3:1, and 1 Pt. 2:13-26 instruct Christians to follow the laws of the land which can make polygamy a sin. But polygamy must specifically be against the law rather than bigamy which is generally considered to be secretive multiple wives / families that are unaware of each other. Legally, bigamy is defined as being when a person has obtained "legally recognized" marriages to more than one living mate at the same time and refers to any additional licensed marriages which come after the only legal marriage. So, polygamists could simply eschew government-licensed marriages (i.e., government-recognized by "marriage license") with more than one living spouse at the same time. Some polygamists use the secular legal system of divorce and remarriage in order to avoid criminal charges - the husband legally marries the first wife, legally (but not biblically) divorces her, legally marries another wife, legally divorces her, etc, repeating the procedure until all wives are accounted for. Since cohabitation is not illegal then no "law of the land" is technically being broken. Polygamists argue that government cannot truly define marriage as it has already been defined by God. Government can only recognize marriages as legal in the sense that they are given certain rights. To argue with the government that polygamy is wrong, they say, is absurd. The same law says that a man may sleep around with several women, get them pregnant, abandon them and their children, yet not be considered a criminal. Whereas a polygamist, who wants to live with his wives and take care of his children, would be thrown in jail. It seems at odds with Christian morality to cite the law when it allows a person multiple partners and children from different partners so long as they do not marry, or allow multiple spouses so long as they are consecutive (i.e. requiring divorces which God says He hates).

Conclusion

Mounting a biblical case against polygamy is not as easy as some would like, however it does seem to violate God's best. The biggest issue with most polygamists is not necessarily multiple wives as it is their treatment, but abuse of a thing does not constitute an argument against that thing unless it flows necessarily from it.