1 Corinthians 7:12 To the rest I say—I and not the Lord—that if any believer has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her. 13 And if any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce him. 14 For the unbelieving husband is made holy through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy through her husband. Otherwise, your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. 15 But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so; in such a case the brother or sister is not bound. It is to peace that God has called you. 16 Wife, for all you know, you might save your husband. Husband, for all you know, you might save your wife.
Paul offers some guidance for Christians who are married and those who are unmarried. V.12 is interesting because of the phrase “I and not the Lord”. In other words Paul seems to indicate that the guidance he gives doesn’t hold the same authority as if Jesus had given it. It’s not the word of God but the word of Paul.
Most Christians believe the words of Paul are the words of God because they’re written in the bible. I’m wondering if Paul would have agreed with this view. This verse makes me think perhaps not. Interesting…