Polygamy in God’s scheme of Marriage:God’s ageless standard for marriage (Concluding Part)

Without controversy, one man for one woman and that for life, has been the divine pattern for marriage from before the advent of sin in the Garden of Eden. Moses says so, Christ says so, and Paul says so; all citing Gen.2 as their irrefutable basis. Paul re-echoes this as the standard for all Christians hereafter. “For this reason, a man shall leave his father and mother and shall be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh” –Eph.5:31.

The standard for marriage has not changed since the beginning of creation. There is not one set of guidelines for husband and wife in the Old Testament and another in the New Testament. Jesus said, “From the beginning it has not been this way” –Mt.19:8.

Christ’s teaching about marriage, therefore, is no novelty. His teaching is simply a reiteration and reinforcement of that which has pertained from the beginning. The point being, that the standard of Christian marriage is not discovered to be other than what has been from the beginning.

Some believe that the only requirement for monogamy under the Old Testament was for the priests but not for all. But this does not tally with the clear teaching of Gen.2 where God Himself directs there to be one man for one woman as husband and wife. So that there would be no doubt about this, God specifically prohibited the king to marry more than one wife -Deut.17:17. (Phillips, 2021).

Sadly, these ‘biblical’ protagonists of polygamy, have forgotten or do not understand that the New Testament believers are the antitypes of the Old Testament priests (I Peter 2: 9, Revelations 1;6; 5: 10). Therefore, what goes for the Old Testament priests and kings is the imagery of the believers in Christ Jesus. The scriptures referenced above, refer to believers as kings and priests unto God.

Essentially, in both Old and New Testament, there is an enforcement of monogamy as the standard, and polygamy as the deviation from the norm

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The following scriptures may further illuminate on God’s monogamous concept of marriage: Titus 1:6 1 Timothy 3: 2, 12 ; Matthew 19:4-6. Genesis 2:1-25; Ephesians 5:23-33. 1 Corinthians 7: 2 (Note: Singular husband and wife is mentioned four times in this verse alone). There is no mention of one husband and two or many wives and vice versa. Moreover, checking through the different translations of the bible: Titus 1: 6 was translated as husband of one wife 29 times; and faithful to his wife 6 times. 1 Timothy 3: 2 was translated as husband of one wife 28 times; and faithful to his wife 8 times.

It is therefore evident from the scriptures, that polygamy is not approved by God. However, once entered into, it should not be dissolved claiming Restitution as a qualification for eternal life. Eternal life does not rely on whether one has one or multiple wives. If it did, many notable saints of God mentioned in the Old Testament would not be in heaven.

Invariably, a polygamous man can become a genuine Christian if he believes the gospel. He could be baptized, become a full member of the church, and take of the communion/Lord’s Supper. He can testify of his saving faith. However, he will not be qualified to be an overseer/elder in the church of God. An overseer/elder is to be above reproach as an example to all Christians. Since he has more than one wife, he would be setting the wrong example for the church to follow because of his married condition.

Moreover, since marriage illustrates the faithful loving relationship of Christ and His bride (the church), [Eph.5:22-33], there must be a true example of that seen in the leaders of God’s people. It is for this reason, because the husband pictures Christ, and the wife, the church, that no Christian should ever marry more than one wife. It dishonors the Lord Jesus to portray Him as One with divided affections and loyalties. Polygamy is against what God made marriage to be from the beginning [Mt.19:4-6].

Therefore, no Christian man should ever think about or actually marry more than one wife. It is never acceptable to God to do so. Taking more than one wife is never biblical. But if a man has already done this, he is not to commit another sin by divorcing her (Phillips, 2021).

Conclusion:

We know from the scriptures that sin has distorted God’s plan for mankind and undermines man’s enjoyment of all that God has provided for him. We also know that God’s project of recovery is systematic and progressive, hence his tolerance of certain shortcomings of the saints of old. That dispensation is now behind us (1 Corinthians 13: 9-11). We have been brought into a more glorious dispensation through Jesus Christ as recorded in Matthew 5: 21-32; Hebrews 7-9, and Ephesians 5: 25-29. Hence, no Christian should ever enter polygamous marriage or encourage others to do so.

Esther Olaitan Ogundipe is an itinerant Bible Teacher writes from Abuja