For three and a half years, Jesus taught His disciples and varying crowds. But you know what? He, in that span of time, couldn’t have and didn’t cover every possible scenario and circumstance. The same can be said of the Bible itself. However, both sources cite principles that can be applied to almost any situation.

That is the backdrop to keep in mind concerning the issue of a mixed marriage between a believer/unbeliever. The situation was addressed by the apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 7: 12. He said, “I, not the Lord, say: If any brother has a wife who does not believe, and she is willing to live with him, let him not divorce her.”

Bible critics, quick to want to prove that not all Scripture is inspired, point to Paul saying that it is he giving the command, not the Lord. They claim the statement should be taken as simply Paul’s opinion rather than divine instruction.

What they fail to realize, though, is that Jesus set things up so that the apostles and others would expand upon His ministry. Jesus knew that He wouldn’t be able to cover every conceivable Christian life situation during His earthly ministry. So His plan was to have the New Testament writers continue to teach not only what had been taught, but to be His transmitters of new revelation from the Holy Spirit.

Therefore, Paul’s instructions covered an area that Jesus didn’t directly address. That’s why he says “I, not the Lord, am saying this.” Note that he didn’t continue to say, “Therefore, the Lord disapproves.” The fact of the matter is that God did approve. That’s because, though the command is of Paul, the directive is based on a principle by Jesus. You see, Jesus taught there to be only one legitimate reason for divorce for all marriages— sexual immorality (Matthew 5: 32; 19: 9).

Adding to the godly authority of Paul’s teaching is the revelation the apostle Peter received. He said that Paul’s letters are to be considered as Scripture (2 Peter 3: 16). And we know that all Scripture is inspired by God (2 Timothy 3: 16). That means that though Paul made it clear that the instruction was coming from him, not having been stated by Jesus, the instruction itself was inspired by God. Paul making the distinction was simply a matter of saying “You never heard this teaching from Jesus; nonetheless, this is how Jesus views it.”

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All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3: 16, 17