More than one wife?

Question: I believe much of Christianity has taught us to forsake the law of God which it seems you teach the opposite.  What is your view of a man having more than one wife as allowed in the law of God and practiced by many Godly men?

Answer: Although I see no Scripture in the Torah prohibiting more than one wife at a time, there is this: Gene 2:24 (KJS) "Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh."  I'm not sure why it would not say 'cleave unto his wives,' if more than one wife was expected.  And if they are one flesh, then would the wives through the husband be "one flesh?"  Perhaps this was for the average man, but wealthy men and kings could have more than one wife because they could support them.  It is interesting that Solomon was warned about dabbling in the religion of his wives, but not criticized about having more than one wife.

Later in time, this was said: 1Tim 3:2 (KJS) "A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach;..."  Spiritual leaders were expected to have good standards of character.  This list implies that the opposite of each item was not good.

I try to be a spiritual leader, so for me, I feel that I should follow the standard of 1Tim 3:2.

As for your phrase "as allowed in the law of God," there is no Scripture that really makes a statement that a man is allowed to have more than one wife.  I guess it depends on how one interprets 1Tim 3:2.

Sorry that I can't be more definite for you.

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