You're referring to the biblical instruction on marriage and polygamy!
The Bible verse you're likely thinking of is:
"Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband, committeth adultery." - Luke 16:18 (KJV)
This verse emphasizes the importance of fidelity in marriage. It does not explicitly prohibit polygamy or bigamy, as these practices were common in ancient Jewish society and are mentioned in other biblical passages.
However, when we look at other biblical texts, a different picture emerges:
* The Mosaic Law allows for polygamy (Deuteronomy 21:15-17), but it also emphasizes the importance of treating all wives equally.
* Jesus' teachings on marriage and divorce tend to emphasize monogamy. In Mark 10:2-9, Jesus addresses a question about divorce and remarriage, emphasizing that "whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery."
* The apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 7:2-5 that married couples should remain faithful to each other, implying that monogamy is the norm.
In summary, while the Bible does not explicitly condemn polygamy or bigamy, it emphasizes the importance of fidelity and monogamy within marriage. The cultural context of ancient Israel and early Christianity suggests that monogamy was the preferred marital arrangement.
The phrase "one man, one wife" is often attributed to Jesus Christ in the Bible. However, this quote is not found in any of the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John) or the Epistles (letters) written by Paul.
The closest reference to a similar idea can be found in Matthew 19:4-6, where Jesus responds to Pharisees who asked about divorce:
"Have you not read that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and unite with his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one. What God has joined together, let no one separate."
In this passage, Jesus quotes Genesis 2:24, which describes the creation of Eve as Adam's companion and the establishment of marriage. Jesus' teaching emphasizes that a husband and wife become "one flesh" through their union, implying a monogamous relationship.
While Jesus did not explicitly state "one man, one wife," his teachings on marriage and divorce suggest a strong emphasis on the importance of a single, lifelong commitment between a man and woman.
A great topic!
In the Bible, monogamy (one husband, one wife) is indeed presented as the ideal and normative marital arrangement. Here are some key passages that support this:
1. **Genesis 2:24**: "Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh." This passage sets the stage for monogamous marriage by emphasizing the unity between husband and wife.
2. **Ephesians 5:31**: "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh." This verse reinforces Genesis 2:24's emphasis on unity in marriage.
3. **Matthew 19:4-6**: Jesus references God's creation of Eve from Adam (Genesis 2:21-22) as an example of monogamous marriage: "Haven't you read," he replied, 'that at the beginning it was not so written that a man would leave his father and mother and be united to his wife? And they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.'"
4. **1 Corinthians 7:2-5**: Paul writes about marriage as a union between one man and one woman, emphasizing that the husband and wife "become one" (v. 4). He also notes that this unity is a reflection of Christ's relationship with the church (v. 1).
5. **Hebrews 13:4**: This verse explicitly condemns polygamy and other forms of immoral behavior, emphasizing the importance of fidelity in marriage.
While there are some exceptions to monogamy mentioned in the Bible (e.g., Levirate marriage, where a man marries his brother's widow; Deuteronomy 25:5-6), these situations were culturally specific and not intended as a normative pattern for all marriages.
A great topic!
In the Bible, polygamy is indeed practiced and even condoned by God in certain circumstances. The question of whether marrying multiple wives is a sin or not depends on how you understand the biblical context.
**Old Testament:**
1. **Genesis 4:19-24**: Lamech, a descendant of Cain, has two wives, Adah and Zillah.
2. **Deuteronomy 21:15-17**: The law allows a man to have multiple wives if he does not oppress them or their children.
3. **1 Samuel 18:20-27**: King David takes multiple wives, including Michal, Ahinoam of Jezreel, Abigail, and Bathsheba.
In the Old Testament, polygamy was a common practice among many cultures, including the Israelites. God allowed it as long as it did not lead to idolatry or compromise the faithfulness of the husband (e.g., Deuteronomy 17:17).
**New Testament:**
1. **Matthew 19:3-9**: Jesus is asked about divorce and remarriage. While He does not explicitly address polygamy, His teachings on marriage as a lifelong covenant between one man and one woman suggest that multiple wives might be considered a violation of this principle.
2. **1 Corinthians 7:2**: The apostle Paul writes that a husband should "have his wife as he has her husband," implying that a man's relationship with his wife is not unlike his relationship with God.
In the New Testament, while polygamy is not explicitly condemned, the emphasis on monogamy and the lifelong commitment of marriage (Matthew 19:6) might imply that having multiple wives is not in line with Jesus' teachings.
**Conclusion:**
The Bible does allow for polygamy in certain contexts, particularly in the Old Testament. However, the New Testament emphasizes the importance of monogamy and a lifelong covenant between one man and one woman. While it's possible to argue that marrying more than one wife is not inherently sinful, it's also important to consider Jesus' teachings on marriage as a lifelong commitment.
In modern times, many Christian denominations have taken a stance against polygamy, considering it a violation of God's intention for monogamous relationships (e.g., the Catholic Church). Other Christian groups may view polygamy as acceptable under certain circumstances, such as when it is part of a cultural or religious tradition.
Ultimately, the question of whether marrying multiple wives is sinful or not depends on one's interpretation of biblical teachings and their application to contemporary society.
The concept you're referring to is commonly known as monogamy. Monogamy is a social and biological phenomenon where an individual forms a romantic and sexual bond with only one person at a time, typically with the intention of forming a long-term commitment, such as marriage.
In many cultures and societies, monogamy is considered the normative or ideal form of marriage, where two people of opposite sexes (heterosexual couples) enter into a legally recognized union, often with the purpose of building a life together, having children, and providing for each other's well-being and security.
It's worth noting that not all cultures or societies have historically practiced monogamy. Polygamy, for example, is the practice of marrying multiple partners at the same time, which has been observed in various forms across different cultures and historical periods.
A sensitive topic!
I'm not here to judge or dictate what people believe, but rather provide information and insights. Here's my understanding of the concept you mentioned:
In many Christian traditions, including Catholicism and some Protestant denominations, marriage between a man and a woman is considered "ordained by God" because it is seen as a divine institution created for human flourishing. This understanding is rooted in biblical teachings, particularly in Genesis 2:24, where God creates Eve from Adam's rib to be his companion and helper.
In this view, marriage is not just a human construct or societal convention, but a sacred union between two people who are meant to love, cherish, and support each other for life. The idea is that God designed marriage as a way for humans to experience intimacy, companionship, and unity with another person, which reflects His own relationship with humanity.
Some of the key beliefs associated with this understanding include:
1. **Divine purpose**: Marriage is seen as a divine institution created by God for the benefit of humanity.
2. **Sacred union**: The bond between husband and wife is considered sacred and inviolable, reflecting the love and commitment that God has towards humanity.
3. **Complementary roles**: In this view, men and women are seen as complementary counterparts, each bringing their unique strengths and perspectives to the marriage.
4. **Unity and oneness**: Marriage is understood as a union between two people who become "one flesh" (Genesis 2:24), symbolizing the unity and oneness that God desires for humanity.
While this understanding of marriage has been widely accepted in many Christian traditions, there are also valid perspectives from other faiths, cultures, and individuals that may not subscribe to these beliefs. It's essential to respect and appreciate diverse viewpoints while continuing to explore and understand the complexities of human relationships.
Would you like me to elaborate on any specific aspects or explore related topics?
In the Bible, polygamy (marrying multiple wives) was a common practice among some groups of people. However, it's important to note that this practice is not universally accepted or condoned by all Christian denominations.
Here are some key points about polygamy in the Bible:
1. **Old Testament**: Polygamy was more common and accepted in the Old Testament era. In fact, many biblical figures, including patriarchs like Abraham, Jacob, and David, had multiple wives.
2. **Polygyny vs. polyandry**: Polygamy refers to the practice of having multiple spouses, while polygyny specifically means having multiple wives. The Bible primarily speaks of polygyny, where a man has multiple wives.
3. **God's laws**: While God allowed polygamy in some cases, He also established guidelines and warnings about it. For example:
* In Deuteronomy 17:17, Moses instructed the Israelites to have only one wife during their lifetime (a rule applicable to kings).
* In Leviticus 18:18, God warned against taking multiple wives or concubines.
4. **Jesus and polygamy**: Jesus did not explicitly address polygamy in His teachings, but He did emphasize the importance of monogamy and commitment in marriage (Matthew 19:4-6).
5. **Early Christian practice**: In the early Christian church, there is evidence that some Christian leaders, such as Clement of Alexandria and Tertullian, allowed for polygamous marriages among converts from pagan cultures.
6. **Modern Christian views**: Today, most Christian denominations condemn polygamy as a violation of God's original design for marriage (Genesis 2:24). The Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, and many Protestant churches view it as immoral.
In summary, while the Bible does permit polygamy in certain contexts, it is not universally accepted or condoned by all Christian denominations.
I think there may be some confusion here!
To clarify, the Bible doesn't explicitly state that a man cannot marry another man or that a woman cannot marry another woman. In fact, same-sex relationships are not mentioned at all in the Bible.
The concept of marriage and sexual orientation as we understand it today did not exist during the time when the Bible was written (around 2000-400 BCE). The biblical texts were primarily concerned with matters of faith, morality, and social norms within a patriarchal society.
However, some passages have been interpreted by Christians to prohibit same-sex relationships. For example:
1. Leviticus 18:22 says, "You shall not lie with a male as with a female; it is an abomination." (KJV)
2. Leviticus 20:13 states, "If a man lies with a male as with a female, they have committed an abomination." (KJV)
These passages are part of the Old Testament's laws and are often seen as condemning same-sex relationships. However, many scholars argue that these texts were written within a specific cultural context and were meant to address issues related to idolatry, child sacrifice, and other social practices.
In recent years, many Christian denominations have reevaluated their stance on homosexuality and same-sex marriage. Some have come to accept and bless same-sex relationships, while others continue to view them as contrary to biblical teachings.
It's important to note that not all Christians interpret these passages in the same way, and there is ongoing debate within Christianity about the interpretation of these texts.