Polygyny Does Not Constitute Adultery

Over the years I have wondered from whence some doctrines have come? The doctrines I am thinking of can vary from church to church and usually cause some difficulty in understanding some of the more basic doctrines. One doctrine that is very much confused concerns the sin of adultery. Many people believe that having more than one wife at the same time would constitute adultery.


One of the major causes for doctrinal misunderstanding is a lack of knowledge of the Old Scriptures or Old Testament.


People will look at

Exodus 20:14

"Thou shalt not commit adultery."

and with a vague knowledge of what the Bible says about adultery apply it to any situation they think qualifies. Just 22 verses later Moses, by our God's direction, tells Israel the following:

Exodus 21:10

10 If he take him another wife; her food, her raiment, and her duty of marriage, shall he not diminish.

Looking at Exodus 21:10 one must conclude that taking another wife does not constitute adultery. The Bible is very clear what is adultery. It is more than what most people think it is, but it does not include polygyny. My next article will try to show the reality of the sin of adultery.

Regular Version

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Thank You


Christian Polygyny