The Bible upholds marriage as a covenant between one man and one woman. Today, we’ll look at what Scripture says about God’s design for relationships and the consequences of stepping outside His plan.
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What Does The Bible Say About Multiple Partners
1 Corinthians 7:2
“But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of monogamy within marriage. It encourages individuals to have a single spouse to avoid falling into the temptation of sexual immorality.
Matthew 19:5
“Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”
This verse highlights the divine plan for marriage, emphasizing the union of one man and one woman who become united as one flesh. It reinforces the concept of a committed and faithful relationship between two individuals.
Proverbs 5:15-19
“Drink water from your own cistern, flowing water from your own well. Should your springs be scattered abroad, streams of water in the streets? Let them be for yourself alone, and not for strangers with you. Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth.”
In this verse, we are reminded of the value of fidelity within marriage. It encourages individuals to find satisfaction and joy in their spouse, rather than seeking multiple partners.
1 Timothy 3:2
“Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach”
When discussing the qualifications for church leadership, this verse emphasizes the importance of a leader being faithful to their spouse. It underscores the value of monogamy and commitment in a marriage.
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 teaches us to regard marriage as sacred and to keep the marriage bed pure. It warns against engaging in sexual immorality or adultery, highlighting the consequences before God’s judgment.
Mark 10:6-9
“But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.”
Jesus affirms the divine design for marriage as a union between one man and one woman. This verse emphasizes the permanence of marriage and discourages the idea of multiple partners or divorce.
1 Thessalonians 4:3-5
“For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God.”
Here, we are reminded of God’s desire for us to live holy and honorable lives. It instructs us to abstain from sexual immorality, including the pursuit of multiple partners, and to exercise self-control in our actions and desires.
Ephesians 5:31-33
“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.”
Paul compares the relationship between a husband and wife to the union between Christ and the church. This verse underscores the importance of love, respect, and faithfulness within marriage, discouraging the pursuit of multiple partners.
Colossians 3:5-6
“Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these, the wrath of God is coming.”
This verse calls believers to put to death any sinful desires, including sexual immorality and covetousness. It warns of the coming wrath of God as a consequence of engaging in such behavior.
Galatians 5:19-21
“Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
This verse serves as a reminder of the harmful effects of sexual immorality and warns against engaging in such behaviors. It emphasizes that those who persist in such actions will not inherit God’s kingdom.
1 Corinthians 6:18-20
“Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”
Paul urges believers to flee from sexual immorality and reminds them that their bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. This verse emphasizes the importance of honoring God in both our actions and relationships.
Proverbs 6:32-33
“He who commits adultery lacks sense; he who does it destroys himself. He will get wounds and dishonor, and his disgrace will not be wiped away.”
These verses warn of the consequences of adultery, including personal destruction, dishonor, and disgrace. It serves as a reminder to value faithfulness and to avoid pursuing multiple partners.
1 Corinthians 6:9-10
“Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.”
Here, Paul lists sexual immorality, including adultery, as a sin that can separate individuals from inheriting the kingdom of God. It highlights the importance of living righteous lives and avoiding involvement in such behaviors.
1 Peter 3:7
“Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.”
This verse instructs husbands to treat their wives with understanding, honor, and respect. It emphasizes the partnership and equality between spouses, dismissing any notion of pursuing relationships with multiple partners.
Galatians 5:13-14
“For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
In outlining the principles of Christian living, this verse reminds believers to serve one another in love rather than indulging in fleshly desires. It encourages a selfless and monogamous approach to relationships.
1 Corinthians 7:8-9
“To the unmarried and the widows, I say that it is good for them to remain single, as I am. But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.”
Paul acknowledges the challenges of controlling sexual desires and encourages those who struggle with self-control to consider marriage. This verse recognizes the importance of monogamy and the perils of burning with unfulfilled passion.
Proverbs 2:16-19
“So you will be delivered from the forbidden woman, from the adulteress with her smooth words, who forsakes the companion of her youth and forgets the covenant of her God; for her house sinks down to death, and her paths to the departed; none who go to her come back, nor do they regain the paths of life.”
This verse warns against the seductive words and ways of an adulteress, highlighting the destructive consequences of straying from the commitment of marriage. It emphasizes the importance of fidelity and the dangers of pursuing multiple partners.
Proverbs 7:25-27
“Let not your heart turn aside to her ways; do not stray into her paths, for many a victim has she laid low, and all her slain are a mighty throng. Her house is the way to Sheol, going down to the chambers of death.”
These verses caution against giving in to the allure of temptation and warn of the destructive path it leads to. It advises against pursuing multiple partners and emphasizes the importance of remaining faithful in marriage.
Proverbs 9:13-18
“The woman Folly is loud; she is seductive and knows nothing. She sits at the door of her house; she takes a seat on the highest places of the town, calling to those who pass by, who are going straight on their way, ‘Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!’ And to him who lacks sense she says, ‘Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.’ But he does not know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.”
These verses depict the seductive nature of folly and temptation, warning against giving in to the enticement of multiple partners. It exposes the deceitfulness of such actions and emphasizes the grave consequences that follow.
Proverbs 6:24-26
“To preserve you from the evil woman, from the smooth tongue of the adulteress. Do not desire her beauty in your heart, and do not let her capture you with her eyelashes; for the price of a prostitute is only a loaf of bread, but a married woman hunts down a precious life.”
These verses urge individuals to guard against the allure of an adulteress, emphasizing the value and sanctity of marriage. They caution against being captivated by physical appearance and the fleeting pleasures of multiple partners.
1 Corinthians 7:33-34
“But the married man is anxious about worldly things, how to please his wife, and his interests are divided. And the unmarried or betrothed woman is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit. But the married woman is anxious about worldly things, how to please her husband.”
Paul addresses the different responsibilities and concerns of married and unmarried individuals. This verse recognizes the commitment and focus required in a marriage, discouraging the pursuit of multiple partners.