Polyamory, or the practice of having multiple romantic partners, is at odds with Biblical teachings on marriage. The Bible speaks of marriage as a sacred union between one man and one woman. It emphasizes faithfulness, commitment, and the deep connection that comes from a monogamous relationship.
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What Does The Bible Say About polyamory
1 Corinthians 7:2
“But since sexual immorality is occurring, each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each woman with her own husband.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of monogamy within marriage. It highlights the need for each man to have a wife and each woman to have a husband, promoting a faithful and exclusive relationship.
polyamory, which involves multiple romantic and sexual relationships simultaneously, is not aligned with the biblical teaching of marriage as a sacred union between one man and one woman.
Genesis 2:24
“That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.”
In this verse, God establishes the divine design for marriage, in which a man and a woman leave their families to become united and form a bond that is both physical and emotional, referred to as “one flesh.”
This verse affirms the importance of the exclusive relationship between a husband and wife and does not support the idea of multiple partners involved in a polyamorous relationship.
Matthew 19:5
“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 reiterates the divine intent for marriage to be a union between one man and one woman. It emphasizes the permanence and unity of the marital relationship, negating the idea of multiple partners in a polyamorous context.
God’s design for marriage is founded on the principle of monogamy, where two individuals become one in a covenant relationship.
Hebrews 13:4
“Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.”
This verse emphasizes the sanctity of marriage and the need to preserve its purity. It teaches that sexual relationships should only occur within the boundaries of a marriage covenant.
In polyamory, where individuals engage in multiple sexual relationships, this verse would be seen as contradicting the biblical teachings, as it calls for fidelity within the marriage relationship.
Leviticus 18:22
“You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination.”
This verse specifically addresses homosexual relationships, highlighting that such relationships are considered an abomination according to the Mosaic Law.
While not directly addressing polyamorous relationships, this verse highlights the importance of adhering to God’s design for sexual relationships, which is within the bounds of a heterosexual marriage.
1 Timothy 3:2
“Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach”
This verse sets the qualifications for a church overseer, stating that the person should be faithful to their wife. It supports the idea of monogamy and fidelity within marriage.
Therefore, it is not aligned with the concept of polyamory, which involves multiple partners engaging in romantic and sexual relationships simultaneously.
1 Timothy 3:12
“A deacon must be faithful to his wife and must manage his children and his household well.”
Similar to the previous verse, this verse outlines the qualifications for a deacon in the church, with the expectation that he is faithful to his wife.
This verse, once again, highlights the biblical principle of monogamy and does not support the practice of polyamory.
Ephesians 5:22-23
“Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior.”
This passage speaks to the roles within marriage, with wives instructed to submit to their husbands, and husbands called to be the leaders and providers in the relationship.
In a polyamorous context, with multiple partners involved, these roles and dynamics become blurred and distorted, deviating from the biblical model of marriage.
Colossians 3:18
“Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.”
Similar to the previous verse, this verse instructs wives to submit to their husbands, emphasizing the biblical teachings on the roles within marriage.
Within the context of polyamory, where multiple relationships and partners are involved, the biblical principle of submission and the proper dynamics of marriage would be undermined.
1 Corinthians 7:10-11
“To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife.”
This passage addresses marital separation and divorce, teaching that while separation may occur, the ideal is for reconciliation between the husband and wife.
In the context of polyamory, where multiple relationships and partners are involved, the concept of marital separation and reconciliation becomes even more complex and morally conflicting.
Mark 10:8
“and the two will become one flesh.’ So, they are no longer two, but one flesh.”
This verse is a reference to Genesis 2:24 and echoes the idea that when a man and woman come together in marriage, they become one entity, united in purpose and commitment.
Polyamory, involving multiple partners, is incompatible with the biblical concept of marriage as the union of two individuals becoming one flesh.
Proverbs 5:15
“Drink water from your own cistern, running water from your own well.”
This Proverb speaks metaphorically, urging individuals to find satisfaction and fulfillment within the bounds of their own marriage and not seek it elsewhere.
In polyamory, where individuals engage in romantic or sexual relationships with multiple partners, this verse emphasizes the importance of faithfulness and contentment within one’s own marriage.
1 Corinthians 6:18
“Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body.”
This verse exhorts believers to flee from sexual immorality, recognizing the unique sinfulness associated with immoral sexual behavior.
Polyamory, involving multiple sexual relationships outside the bounds of marriage, falls under the category of sexual immorality and is inconsistent with biblical teachings.
1 Corinthians 6:9-10
“Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.”
This passage lists various sinful behaviors, including sexual immorality, adultery, and homosexuality, affirming that those who engage in such actions will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Therefore, polyamorous relationships, which involve multiple partners and often overlap with sexual immorality, fall under this biblical judgment.
Romans 1:26-27
“Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. In the same way, the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.”
In this passage, the apostle Paul speaks of those who engaged in same-sex sexual relations, highlighting the unnaturalness and sinful nature of such actions.
While not directly addressing polyamory, this verse underscores the biblical teaching that sexual relationships are to be limited to the natural and appropriate union between a man and a woman within the bounds of marriage.
Galatians 5:19-21
“The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
In this passage, the apostle Paul provides a list of behaviors that are considered acts of the flesh and highlights that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Among these behaviors, sexual immorality, which polyamory often encompasses, is clearly condemned and incompatible with the biblical teachings on morality.
Proverbs 12:4
“A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.”
This Proverb extols the value of a virtuous and faithful wife, emphasizing the importance of a committed and honorable marital relationship.
In the context of polyamory, where multiple partners are involved, it would undermine the biblical principle of seeking an honorable and faithful spouse.
Hebrews 13:4
“Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.”
This verse emphasizes the need to honor and value marriage, calling on believers to keep the marriage bed pure and undefiled.
Polyamory, which involves engaging in multiple sexual and romantic relationships, goes against this principle, introducing elements of sexual immorality and adultery into the union.
1 Thessalonians 4:3-5
“It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God.”
This passage urges believers to pursue sanctification and holiness, avoiding sexual immorality and maintaining control over their bodies.
Polyamory, with its embrace of multiple sexual relationships, does not align with the biblical principle of self-control and the pursuit of holy and honorable conduct.
Proverbs 6:32
“But a man who commits adultery has no sense; whoever does so destroys himself.”
This Proverb highlights the devastating consequences of adultery, emphasizing that it leads to self-destruction.
In a polyamorous context, where multiple partners are involved, the potential for adultery and the harm it can cause to the individuals and relationships is increased.
1 Corinthians 10:8
“We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did—and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died.”
In this verse, Paul refers to the Israelites in the desert who engaged in sexual immorality and the disastrous consequences that followed.
This serves as a warning against sexual immorality, including polyamory, and highlights the serious repercussions that can occur as a result.
1 Corinthians 6:15
“Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never!”
This verse speaks to the importance of honoring and respecting our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit.
In the context of polyamory, which can involve engaging in sexual relationships with multiple partners, it goes against the biblical teaching of sanctity and respect for our bodies.
Romans 13:13
“Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.”
Paul calls on believers to conduct themselves in a manner that is honorable and upright, avoiding behaviors such as sexual immorality and debauchery.
Polyamory involves engaging in multiple sexual relationships simultaneously and can be seen as an expression of debauchery and immorality within a biblical framework.
1 Peter 2:11
“Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul.”
This verse encourages believers to abstain from sinful desires, recognizing that these desires can have a detrimental effect on their souls.
Polyamory, with its indulgence in sexual relationships outside of the biblical framework, goes against the call to live a life free from sinful desires.
Colossians 3:5
“Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry.”
This verse calls on believers to put to death their earthly desires, including sexual immorality and lust.
Polyamory, by its nature, involves engaging in multiple sexual relationships outside the confines of a monogamous marriage and does not align with the biblical exhortation to put to death such desires.