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Many christians think that sex outside marriage is a sin. What about concubines? Abraham and David had concubines.

Is it a sin to have sex with concubines you do not marry? If so, where in the bible does it say that having a concubine (and obviously having sex with her) is a sin?

In particular, is it a sin to have sex with a woman whose marriage is not recognized by the state. So you have sex with her but you don't bother to apply for marriage license and do not agree to be bound by any rules governing civil marriage.

My questions is not a duplicate of Why was having concubines not a sin like adultery?

That question already assumes that having concubines is not a sin. This question asks if christian denominations think it is sin at all.

Also the highest voted answer in this question The Bible seems to allow polygamy. Why doesn't the church? says that polygamy is a sin because it's illegal and christians should obey the law. Cool. Polygamy is a sin. So why not have concubines instead, if it's not a sin? Having multiple wives is illegal. Having multiple concubines isn't.

curiousdannii
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user4951
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  • possible duplicate of Why was having concubines not a sin like adultery? – curiousdannii Jun 21 '15 at 08:55
  • That question presumes that having concubine is not a sin. This question ask if it is at all. – user4951 Jun 21 '15 at 09:00
  • Better? What do you think? – user4951 Jun 21 '15 at 09:22
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    It think it's getting closer to being on-topic, although it seems a bit 'confected' and lacking utility in this form - are there any modern forms of concubinage in operation that you are aware of that would require Christians to actually have a view on? – bruised reed Jun 21 '15 at 09:59
  • There is plenty in my country. Some says it's sin because it's sex outside marriage. I disagree. I think many americans also live together outside marriage. In a sense that's concubinage. If having concubines is not a sin and not illegal then well, why not? – user4951 Jun 21 '15 at 10:09
  • In US sugar babies are a form of concubinage right? – user4951 Jun 21 '15 at 11:06
  • Well I guess that could be a matter of opinion to some extent, but I personally would say no. Those type of relationships just don't have the type of permanence or levels of control associated with the term concubinage, they would be either a form of fornication or adultery depending on marital status. It's not really proper concubinage unless you have either legalised slavery or polygamy (most commonly requiring both). – bruised reed Jun 21 '15 at 14:44
  • Having concubines is a form of polygamy. – Mr. Bultitude Jun 22 '15 at 13:31
  • Which is not illegal and not a sin (if legal) according to http://christianity.stackexchange.com/questions/128/the-bible-seems-to-allow-polygamy-why-doesnt-the-church . Also saying that sugar relationship is not concubinage means we need to find something in the bible of what "counts" as concubinage. – user4951 Jun 22 '15 at 13:33

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Yes, there are Christian denominations that think having concubines is a sin, probably citing Matthew 19:5-6.

For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother, and be joined to his wife and the two shall become one. Therefore what God has joined together let no man put asunder (RSV)

Now I recognize that this verse can be interpreted in various ways, including having one wife, and multiple concubines. But I know that there are multiple Christian denominations that would consider concubinage a sin, and I believe that this verse would be one of the fundamental ones that they cite.

brasshat
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    Would you elaborate? At least put the verse in the answer. – user4951 Jun 21 '15 at 11:08
  • The lack of mention of concubines anywhere in the New Testament might factor in as well. – Matt Gutting Jun 21 '15 at 17:37
  • And that's because the rome prohibits polygamy. It has nothing to do with Jesus or anyone. Fair enough. – user4951 Jun 22 '15 at 13:34
  • @JimThio Not the case; in paragraph 2387 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church we see "polygamy is not in accord with the moral law [i.e. the law God gave us to determine what's sinful and what's not]." And in paragraph 2390, we get "The sexual act must take place exclusively within marriage. Outside of marriage it always constitutes a grave sin." Not the case at all that it has nothing to do with the will of God; it is not a purely human decision. – Matt Gutting Jun 22 '15 at 15:38
  • Jesus doesn't say, do not have concubines. Jesus said that men shall have 1 wife. If that is a commandment, it's a commandment he himself disobey (along with most priests) – user4951 Jun 23 '15 at 12:03
  • jesus most likely means that men in general will have 1 wife – user4951 Jun 27 '15 at 15:19
  • @user4951 You think Jesus had multiple wives or concubines? – Alex Strasser Nov 29 '18 at 20:55