How does Leviticus 18:18 connect with New Testament teachings on marriage? Text of Leviticus 18:18 “You must not marry a woman in addition to her sister and have sexual relations with her while her sister is living, to make her a rival wife.” What the Verse Teaches • God sets clear moral boundaries for intimacy. • Marriage is to be exclusive; introducing a second wife (especially a sister) fractures that unity. • The motive behind the command—preventing “rivalry”—highlights the covenant’s call to peace, fidelity, and undivided affection. How the New Testament Echoes the Same Principles • Matthew 19:4-6—Jesus points back to Genesis, affirming God created marriage as “male and female… the two will become one flesh… So they are no longer two, but one flesh.” The “two,” not three or more, is Jesus’ baseline. • 1 Corinthians 7:2—“Because there is so much sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband.” Paul applies exclusivity to the whole church age. • Ephesians 5:25-33—Marriage mirrors Christ and the church: one Groom, one Bride, total devotion. • 1 Timothy 3:2, 12; Titus 1:6—Leaders must be “the husband of one wife,” underscoring monogamy as the scriptural norm. • Hebrews 13:4—“Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept undefiled.” Shared Theological Threads • Exclusive Faithfulness—Both Testaments insist on undivided loyalty within marriage. • Protection of the Vulnerable—Leviticus shields the first wife from emotional harm; the New Testament protects spouses from betrayal (Matthew 5:27-32). • Picture of Covenant Love—Just as Christ will not take a rival bride, husbands and wives are not to entertain rival partners. • Community Stability—Polygamy and adultery breed envy and conflict (James 3:16). Singular, lifelong unions foster peace in the home and witness to the world. Practical Takeaways Today • Guard the “one-flesh” bond—no emotional or physical triangle that creates competition. • Cherish exclusivity—make choices that continually reassure your spouse of priority. • Honor marriage publicly—teach children, churches, and culture that God’s design is one man, one woman for life. • Reflect Christ’s covenant—let marital faithfulness preach the gospel of His unwavering love. |
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