Scriptural PolygynyHebrews 13:8 "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever." Most of God's most faithful patriarchs of the Bible had many wives. Men such as Abraham, Jacob, Moses, David, Solomon, etc. I still did not consider this for today due to 1 Timothy 3:2. One day, however, I accidentally found my self on a web site promoting polygyny. There I learned about the Greek word mia. Through additional study I learned that the Greek word for one in 1 Timothy 3:2 (mia:G3391) is also translated one, a or first in the scripture. 1 Timothy 3:2 "A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach". It may be that the translators used the word one because of cultural bias. Let us look at the Greek word mia. Here is what Strong's Greek Dictionary says: 3391. mia, mee'-ah; irreg. fem. of G1520; one or first. So mia can be translated as one or first. If you look through the Bible you will see where the translators used what they felt was appropriate for the context. They did an excellent job. But they probably did not know that they were helping to hide a truth that God has no objection to and in fact promotes! In God's Law there are rules for men concerning being married to more than one wife. Also all of the new testament teachings concerning marriage can be understood in the same way. Let's see what 1 Timothy 3:2 would look like if the word one had been replaced with the word first. 1 Timothy 3:2 "A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of a first wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach". Another way to write it could have been... 1 Timothy 3:2 "A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of a wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach". Remember that the reason for an Elder to be married is so that he can shepherd the flock of God properly. The elder should realize that Christ himself marries each person of true Israelite heritage who becomes a Christian. We are the brides of Christ. Well I have now known this truth for many years and have not been able come up with any suitable argument against this discovery. I think that as time progresses we will see polygyny return. Read Isaiah 3 and finish with Isaiah 4:1. If the number of women in verse 4:1 had been six then I would have a different opinion, but it is seven. There may also be some responsibility for established Christian families that I never would have considered. Printable Version Feel free to send your helpful comments. Thank You Christian Polygyny |
Christian PolygynyBasic Articles on Marriage, Children, Divorce, Remarriage and Adultery Articles on Polygyny Scriptural Marriage Possibilities Polygyny is not Adultery! Who did Seth Marry? Lamech Had Two Wives A Damsel or Two. God Gave David His Wives. How Many Wives per Man in Israel? Is Polygyny Still Righteous Today? It Began with One Man and Four Women Let Each Woman Have Her Own Husband Is this the Meaning of Leviticus 18:18? Women with Women? Support for Scriptural Polygyny How I discovered Polygyny Sunday Morning Visitor Christian Polygyny Links Page Home Page |