The concept of an “open marriage” typically refers to a marriage in which the spouses agree to allow each other to have sexual relationships with other partners outside of the marriage. This practice goes against the biblical principles for marriage laid out in the Bible.
According to Scripture, marriage is meant to be an exclusive covenantal union between one man and one woman. God designed marriage this way from the very beginning when He created Eve for Adam and brought them together as husband and wife (Genesis 2:18-24). The Bible consistently upholds the sanctity of marriage and condemns sexual immorality of any kind, including adultery.
Marriage as an Exclusive Union
The Bible makes it clear that marriage is meant to be an exclusive union, reserved for one man and one woman only. Passages like Hebrews 13:4 declare, “Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.” Sexual faithfulness and purity are key components of a God-honoring marriage according to Scripture.
In Matthew 19:4-6, Jesus Himself appeals to God’s original design for marriage in Genesis 1-2, stating, “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” This affirms that according to God’s intent, marriage is meant to be an exclusive covenant between one man and one woman that lasts a lifetime.
The idea of an “open marriage” where spouses are free to have sex with other partners violates the biblical model of marriage as an exclusive union. It introduces other people into the marriage bed, which Scripture condemns (Hebrews 13:4). An open marriage arrangement fails to honor the oneness that God intends for husband and wife to share.
Condemnation of Sexual Immorality
The Bible consistently condemns all forms of sexual immorality. Sex outside of marriage is strictly prohibited. Adultery, which is voluntary sexual intercourse between a married person and someone other than his/her spouse, is specifically called out as a grievous sin throughout Scripture.
Jesus states plainly in Matthew 5:27-28, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” He equates lust toward anyone other than one’s spouse as a form of adultery.
Other verses like Galatians 5:19, 1 Corinthians 6:9, and Colossians 3:5 all identify sexual immorality, impurity, and evil desire as behaviors that are contrary to the will of God and can prevent one from inheriting the kingdom of God. An open marriage arrangement promotes and enables these types of sexual sins that the Bible prohibits.
Husbands and Wives Have a Duty to Each Other
Scripture outlines specific responsibilities that both husbands and wives have toward their spouse within the marriage relationship. These duties necessitate fidelity, love, and service toward one’s husband or wife.
Ephesians 5:22-33 provides an extended passage on the dynamics between husbands and wives. Wives are instructed to “submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord” while husbands are commanded to “love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her” (verses 22, 25). This level of love, sacrifice, and service requires undivided devotion between spouses that is not possible in an open marriage.
1 Corinthians 7:3-5 makes it clear that husbands and wives have a duty to fulfill their spouse’s sexual needs. An open marriage arrangement allows them to look outside the marriage for sexual fulfillment rather than fulfilling their marital responsibility toward their husband or wife.
In an open marriage, spouses are free to channel their energies into satisfying other sexual partners rather than caring for the needs of their own husband or wife. This contradicts the obligations Scripture outlines for marriage.
Marriage as an Illustration of God’s Covenant with His People
Not only does the Bible define marriage as an exclusive union between one man and woman, but it also uses marriage to illustrate God’s eternal, exclusive covenant with His people. Just as God remains devoted to His people, He expects spouses to demonstrate similar covenant faithfulness within marriage.
In the Old Testament, God frequently used marriage imagery to describe His relationship with Israel. Though Israel was unfaithful as God’s “bride,” God remained devoted, taking her back and promising to make a new, everlasting covenant (Hosea 2:14-23). Ezekiel 16 provides an extended metaphor, picturing Israel as an unfaithful bride in spite of God’s provision and care.
In the New Testament, marriage illustrates Christ’s relationship to the church. Ephesians 5:22-33 details this analogy, stating that marriage between husband and wife parallels Christ’s sacrificial, cleansing love for the church. Christ gave Himself fully for the church, His bride (verse 25). This echoes the exclusive, selfless love God expects between spouses in marriage.
An open marriage arrangement distorts the biblical imagery of marriage as an illustration of God’s exclusive covenant relationship with His people. It promotes unfaithfulness and undermines the selfless, devoted love that God expects husbands and wives to demonstrate toward one another.
Practical Ramifications of an Open Marriage
Aside from violating clear biblical principles for marriage, an open marriage arrangement also introduces a host of practical problems and ramifications that can harm individuals and families.
An open marriage often leads to feelings of jealousy, resentment, and insecurity within the marriage relationship. Seeing one’s spouse being intimate with others can provoke jealousy even if initially agreed upon. Such outside involvements may undermine the exclusivity and special bond marriage partners are meant to share.
An open marriage also introduces risks of transmitting sexual diseases if partners are not careful and honest with each other about their outside sexual encounters. This places both spouses in danger physically.
Children born may also end up having uncertain paternity if one or both spouses are having sexual relations outside their marriage. This can lead to potential confusion, hurt feelings, and relational tension within families.
Overall, an open marriage arrangement rejects God’s design for marriage as presented in Scripture. It enables ongoing sexual sin and prevents husbands and wives from fulfilling their marital obligations to each other. The potential emotional pain, health risks, and familial complications also make this an unwise relationship model according to practical wisdom.
God’s Grace and Redemption for Sexual Sin
Importantly, Scripture offers grace and redemption to all who repent and turn from sexual sin. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 states, “And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” Believers should reject sexual sin and follow God’s design for marriage, but even those who have erred sexually can receive forgiveness and a new start.
In passages like Psalm 51, Hosea, and John 8:1-11, God graciously restores those who admit, repent of, and turn from sexual misconduct of any kind. No sin is beyond God’s redemptive power. Couples struggling in an open marriage can confess, receive God’s forgiveness, and commit to following His biblical blueprint for marriage from that point forward.
God designed marriage to be an exclusive covenant – emotionally, spiritually, and physically – between one man and one woman committed to each other for life. An open marriage departs from God’s best plan but forgiveness and redemption are available to all who seek Him.
