Paul now turns to the second group of people: church members who are married. Specifically, he has in view those marriages where both parties are believers (in 1 Corinthians 7:12–16, he will give instructions about marriage between a believer and an unbeliever).
When it comes to this group of people, there is no need for instructions from Paul himself. Jesus (the Lord
) has already spoken clearly about this topic, and Paul simply repeats his teaching (see Mark 10:11–12; Luke 16:18). This is why Paul writes that it is not he but the Lord
who has given this command.
The words separate
(1 Corinthians 7:10) and divorce
(1 Corinthians 7:11) are used interchangeably, both pointing to a legal act of divorce. Compare 1 Corinthians 7:13, where Paul speaks of a wife who divorces her husband.
10 To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband