I Corinthians 7

²⁷ Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife.¹

The NT clearly distinguishes monogamy or celibacy from the former trend of polygamy in the O.T. The Scriptures I Cor. 7:26, 27 constitute a change in the family life, comparatively speaking, because in the O.T. the men took as many wives as they desired; but according to verses 26 and 27, to the contrary, the limit for a male virgin is one at most--"Are you loosed from a wife? Seek not a wife ...," whereas in the O.T. the men were not required to cease marrying due to being loosed from a wife. During the time the gospels and epistles were written, there may have been some converted polygamists still living, and how the apostles dealt with that situation is not clear to me concerning a specific scriptural account; however, it is distinguished through Paul's instruction to male virgins that they are allowed to be married, but in the case they should be loosed--they should not seek a second marriage. The man of the NT is instructed as having a mollifiable heart seeking re-unification of a broken marriage, if it is possible. But, if not, then remaining unmarried is the only allowable alternative.

Remember in verse 1, Paul was writing back to the church to answer their questions. He is speaking specifically to the male in this verse. In the first question, he asks if the male virgin has married. He replies by telling the man not to seek a divorce from his wife. In the second question, he asks if the male is divorced. Paul replies imperatively not to seek a wife.

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¹The Holy Bible: King James Version. (1995). (electronic ed. of the 1769 edition of the 1611 Authorized Version., 1 Co 7:27). Bellingham WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.