Does the "husband of one wife" requirement mean that polygamy was common in the early church?

[St. SteVen]

Is it still classed as adultery...if man / woman lusts after each other in the mind?

That's a great question.

God wired us to be attracted to each other.
Otherwise we wouldn't procreate.

Where do you draw the line?

Actually, I think it helps to understand the ancient culture. Physical attraction crossed the line at greed to become lust.
Women in that day were seen as property. If a man wanted another man's wife, it was his property that the one lusting wanted.

King David had Uriah killed so he could take his wife.

So, the look of lust is not only the physical attraction but the scheming, or wish to take possession. Add to the harem.

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[St. SteVen]

Is it still classed as adultery...if man / woman lusts after each other in the mind?

This is yet another case of us projecting western cultural understanding onto the biblical text.
Does it say anything about a woman lusting after a man?

Matthew 5:28 NIV
But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

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[1stCenturyLady]

Is it still classed as adultery...if man / woman lusts after each other in the mind?

It actually means (so I've been told) that it is adultery if you lust after a married person. The 10th commandment, coveting someone's wife.

 

[TLHKAJ]

Jesus said "except it be for fornication, not adultery. (as the church claims)
The NIV gets this wrong, the KJV gets this right. Check the NT Greek.

Although the KJV says "fornication" the word in the Greek has a broader meaning that includes adultery, harlotry, incest, and idolatry.

Greek: πορνεία
Transliteration: porneia
Pronunciation: por-ni'-ah
Definition: From G4203; harlotry (including adultery and incest); figuratively idolatry: - fornication.
KJV Usage: fornication (26x).
Occurs: 26
In verses: 25

 

[Ritajanice]

It actually means (so I've been told) that it is adultery if you lust after a married person. The 10th commandment, coveting someone's wife.

Or husband.

 

[Behold]

It actually means (so I've been told) that it is adultery if you lust after a married person. The 10th commandment, coveting someone's wife.

It means, to not have been divorced..

Consider just for a second, that everyone has broken all the commandments, in deed or thought or word.
That includes , everyone., other than Jesus.

So, this verse is speaking not about "head sinning", but about being married more than once, in real life.
Its a initial disqualification. = Pastor., Bishop, Elder.

The verse also disqualifies a woman from becoming a "Pastor", as a woman can't be "" the HUSBAND of one wife.."""

Lesbian PASTORS..... would argue that verse with you, but, dont listen to them.... and dont go to their Church.

 

[St. SteVen]

Although the KJV says "fornication" the word in the Greek has a broader meaning that includes adultery, harlotry, incest, and idolatry.

Greek: πορνεία
Transliteration: porneia
Pronunciation: por-ni'-ah
Definition: From G4203; harlotry (including adultery and incest); figuratively idolatry: - fornication.
KJV Usage: fornication (26x).
Occurs: 26
In verses: 25

How much of that is a projection of our western values?
In context Jesus is specifically addressing the law concerning fornication,
that is that a wife was promiscuous PRIOR to marriage.

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[St. SteVen]

1stCenturyLady said:
It actually means (so I've been told) that it is adultery if you lust after a married person. The 10th commandment, coveting someone's wife.

Or husband.

No!
The text doesn't support that.
The unfortunate projecting of western moral values on a ancient text.

UNLESS you are making plans to TAKE that husband away for that woman.
To appreciate that he is a desirable mate is not a sin. IMHO

But, I am very interested in the female perspective on this. Thank you.

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[TLHKAJ]

So, nothing about polygamy, right?
I suppose that " husbands, love their wives" could refer to multiple wives if applicable.

Again, how much of our western cultural values do we lean on to interpret these passages?

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You're reading way too much into the scripture. When you have one plural ("husbands") you would pluralize the other ("wives").

Ephesians 5:25
[25]Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

In context, if you read the rest of the verse, Christ and the Church is the example. The bridegroom and the bride. (Nothing plural about it.) The Church is one body.

If you're trying to twist scripture to mean men can have more than one wife .....you should also apply that to women since this verse says "women" and "husbands." Does that mean women can have more than one husband .....and have as many on the side as slaves? You know ....one or two, or 10 for lineage and 300 for just pleasure? (God knows, one is more than plenty!!) You men can be so perverted in your lustful twistings. Most of you would fit in just perfectly in the satanic cult.

Titus 2:4
[4]That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,

 

[TLHKAJ]

How much of that is a projection of our western values?
In context Jesus is specifically addressing the law concerning fornication,
that is that a wife was promiscuous PRIOR to marriage.

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I showed you the original meaning. Read the Word and take it for what it says. Period.

How much of what you're projecting is just today's so-called "values" imposed on the Biblical text??

 

[MatthewG]

Helpful information concerning topic for those who enjoy study.

 

[St. SteVen]

If you're trying to twist scripture to mean men can have more than one wife .....you should also apply that to women since this verse says "women" and "husbands." Does that mean women can have more than one husband .....and have as many on the side as slaves? You know ....one or two, or 10 for lineage and 300 for just pleasure? (God knows, one is more than plenty!!) You men can be so perverted in your lustful twistings.

LOL
No, not at all.
My point is that polygamy was common in the time the NT scriptures were written.
We need to take that into account when studying these passages.
I think bearing that in mind helps us to better understand what they are saying to us.

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[St. SteVen]

I showed you the original meaning. Read the Word and take it for what it says. Period.

How much of what you're projecting is just today's so-called "values" imposed on the Biblical text??

I think you have that backwards. IMHO

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[St. SteVen]

You're reading way too much into the scripture. When you have one plural ("husbands") you would pluralize the other ("wives").

Why would you even INSERT "wives"?

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[TLHKAJ]

LOL
No, not at all.
My point is that polygamy was common in the time the NT scriptures were written.
We need to take that into account when studying these passages.
I think bearing that in mind helps us to better understand what they are saying to us.

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There are many many things that are common. That doesn't mean that God ordains it.

 

[TLHKAJ]

Why would even INSERT "wives"?

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Titus 2:4
[4]That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,

Edit: I actually said "women" ...that is how the scripture words it. So I guess women who aren't married can have men that are married ("husbands") ....because that's what it says, right?
Woohoo! Women don't have to get married at all! lol

See how we can twist scriptures to mean all sorts of craziness?

 

[MatthewG]

There are many many things that are common. That doesn't mean that God ordains it.

That was something that came up in my mind earlier in the thread. Someone mentioned that polygam is something that is mandated in the Law, but they could not bring up anything about it. Now have come across this founded in the Law.


Deuteronomy 17:17

The King​

14 When you enter the land the Lord your God is giving you and have taken possession of it and settled in it, and you say, “Let us set a king over us like all the nations around us,” 15 be sure to appoint over you a king the Lord your God chooses. He must be from among your fellow Israelites. Do not place a foreigner over you, one who is not an Israelite. 16 The king, moreover, must not acquire great numbers of horses for himself or make the people return to Egypt to get more of them, for the Lord has told you, “You are not to go back that way again.” 17 He must not take many wives, or his heart will be led astray. He must not accumulate large amounts of silver and gold.

"He must not take many wives, or his heart will be led astray."

 

[TLHKAJ]

I think you have that backwards. IMHO

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Nope.

 

[St. SteVen]

Oh yeah, you're right. I should have said "women" ...that is how the scripture words it. So I guess women who aren't married can have men that are married ("husbands") ....because that's what it says, right?
Woohoo! Women don't have to get married at all! lol

LOL
Obviously, that's NOT what I meant.
Do I need to clarify?

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[St. SteVen]

Nope.

You're a tough customer. - LOL
Can you clarify your position?

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