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 AdamGod made woman from rib of Adam

v. 18 = “helper” not helpersv. 22 = “woman” not womenv. 24 = “they shall be one flesh”

Jesus understood this view of marriage

Matt. 19:1-12 “two become one flesh”Subject was divorceAnswer 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 fornicationNot accepted as valid by GodIf 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 choiceAdam and Eve chose to sinSome men chose to practice polygamyMen today lie, steal, murder

James 1:12-16 “drawn away of his own lust”

Bible tells about what happenedDoes not mean God endorsed

Noah – drunk - Gen. 9:20-21Polygamy is not God’s plan

Men began to practice polygamy - Gen. 4:19God regulated - Ex. 21:10God was never pleased with polygamyGod 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. 30809

706-855-1249

evanscoc@bellsouth.netevanscoc@bellsouth.net

www.evansgachurchofchrist.orgwww.evansgachurchofchrist.org

Sunday Evening November 6, 2011