Genesis 1:18-25 God made Eve for Adam Monogamy = one man and one woman Polygamy = having many  Polygyny = having many wives  Polyandry = having many husbands  Polyamorous = multiple companions What does the Bible teach about polygamy ??

Genesis 1 and 2 = “It was very good” Gen. 2:18-25 No companion for Adam God made woman from rib of Adam v. 18 = “helper” not helpers v. 22 = “woman” not women v. 24 = “they shall be one flesh”

Jesus understood this view of marriage Matt. 19:1-12 “two become one flesh” Subject was divorce Answer explained God’s plan from beginning Polygamy mars the “one flesh” plan of God

Mark 10:11-12 “And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her. 12 And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery.” Improper divorce does not nullify a marriage If the first marriage still stands, then a second marriage is adultery not polygamy.

Matt. 19:8-9 “He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so. 9 And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery. Divorce for another cause then fornication Not accepted as valid by God If he marries another then he commits adultery Polygamy was not acceptable

David and Solomon - “Why did God allow it?” God did not make man as a robot – has a choice Adam and Eve chose to sin Some men chose to practice polygamy Men today lie, steal, murder James 1:12-16 “drawn away of his own lust”

Bible tells about what happened Does not mean God endorsed Noah – drunk - Gen. 9:20-21 Polygamy is not God’s plan Men began to practice polygamy - Gen. 4:19 God regulated - Ex. 21:10 God was never pleased with polygamy God did not like divorce - Mal. 2:16

God permitted divorce because of the hardness of people’s hearts “He said to them, "Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, permitted you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so.” Matt. 19:8

Created One woman for man = “help meet” Not another man = same sex marriage is wrong Not Eve, Sue, Jane = polygamy is wrong Heb. 13:4 “Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.”

Direct command against polygamy "Neither shall he multiply wives for himself, lest his heart turn away; nor shall he greatly multiply silver and gold for himself.” Deut. 17:17

Eph. 5:22-33 “husband is the head of the wife” [singular] “…joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh” Refers to Gen. 2:24 Illustration of Christ’s relationship with the church would not make any sense if polygamy is allowed!

1 Tim. 3:2, 12 Titus 1:6 “Husband of one wife” 1 Cor. 7:1-16 “let every man have his own wife” Every reference is to a singular wife / husband

TV Shows and Movies “Polygamy rights is the next civil-rights battle” If Molly can have two mommies why can she not have two mommies and a daddy? Push to make polygamy an alternate life style.

Many are confused about polygamy Some are defending polygamy “It is not prohibited” is the claim “…it is clear that neither Jesus nor the writers of the New Testament condemned such practice…”

God intends marriage to be for one man and one woman God’s standard is monogamy not polygamy “Live joyfully with the wife whom you love all the days of your vain life which He has given you under the sun,…” Ecclesiastes 9:9 “…rejoice with the wife of your youth.” Prov. 5:18

Sermon by Arthur Pigman Evans Church of Christ 515 Gibbs Road Evans, Ga Sunday Evening November 6, 2011