Posted on by Margarita

I SAY THIS (I NOT THE LORD) / 1 CORINTHIANS 7:12

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) 1 Corinthians 7:12

But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away.

Trusting God’s Guidance in the Gray Areas: Understanding 1 Corinthians 7:12

Life often presents us with complex situations that do not have a simple, direct answer. Relationships change. Circumstances shift. We frequently find ourselves searching the Scriptures for a specific, word-for-word instruction for our exact dilemma, only to find that the exact scenario is not explicitly mentioned.

In 1 Corinthians 7:12, the Apostle Paul addresses exactly this kind of situation. He writes: “To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord)…”

At first glance, this phrase can confuse readers. It might sound like Paul is simply sharing his personal opinion or that this specific verse carries less weight than the rest of Scripture. However, a deeper look reveals a profound truth about how God guides us through His chosen messengers.

Not an Opinion, But Commissioned Authority

When Paul says “I, not the Lord,” he is not discounting his own words. Rather, he is making a historical distinction. He means that during His earthly ministry, Jesus did not give a direct, explicit teaching on the specific topic Paul is about to address—namely, what a believer should do if they are married to an unbeliever who wishes to stay with them.

While Jesus spoke clearly on marriage and divorce in general, He did not address this specific cross-cultural, cross-religious scenario that arose as the Gospel expanded into the Gentile world.

Paul is not speaking out of turn. He writes as one directly commissioned by Jesus Christ. He speaks with God-given authority under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Later in this same chapter, and elsewhere in the epistle, Paul affirms this authority:

  • 1 Corinthians 7:25: He gives a judgment as one who “by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy.”
  • 1 Corinthians 7:40: He concludes his thoughts by saying, “And I think that I too have the Spirit of God.”
  • 1 Corinthians 14:37: He boldly states, “The things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord.”

Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 7:12 carry the full weight of Scripture. The Holy Spirit used Paul’s apostolic authority to navigate a new, complex pastoral issue for the early Church, ensuring that the believers were not left without divine guidance.

Guidance for Our Gray Areas

This passage provides immense comfort for us today. It reminds us that God cares about the nuanced, messy, and specific details of our lives.

When we face modern dilemmas that the ancient text does not mention by name—such as navigating complex workplace ethics, managing modern technology, or handling unprecedented family dynamics—we are not left abandoned. God has given us His Word, His Spirit, and spiritual leadership to help us apply timeless biblical principles to our current realities.

We can trust that the Holy Spirit who inspired Paul to answer the difficult questions of the Corinthian church is the same Spirit living inside us today, offering wisdom for every gray area we face.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for the depth and richness of Your Word. Thank You that You do not leave us comfortless or without direction when life gets complicated. We praise You for the clarity of Your truth, delivered through Your commissioned servants like Paul, under the perfect guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Lord, give us discernment when we face situations that seem unclear. Help us to trust the authority of Your Scripture and to lean on the Holy Spirit for wisdom in our daily choices. Guide our relationships, our families, and our steps. May our lives honor You, even in the most complex circumstances.

In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

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Bible Study Tools I Use

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

  1. SHE MUST REMAIN UNMARRIED / 1 CORINTHIANS 7:11
  2. THE HUSBAND SHOULD FULFILL / 1 CORINTHIANS 7:3
  3. GOOD FOR A MAN NOT TO MARRY / 1 CORINTHIANS 7:1
  4. YOUR BODY IS A TEMPLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT / 1 CORINTHIANS 6:19
  5. FLEE FROM SEXUAL IMMORALITY / 1 CORINTHIANS 6:18
  6. MEMBERS OF CHRIST / 1 CORINTHIANS 6:15
  7. NOT MEANT FOR SEXUAL IMMORALITY / 1 CORINTHIANS 6:13
  8. EVERTHING IS PERMISSIBLE FOR ME / 1 CORINTHIANS 6:12
  9. JUSTIFIED … BY THE SPIRIT / 1 CORINTHIANS 6:11
  10. THE WICKED WILL NOT INHERIT THE KINGDOM / 1 CORINTHIANS 6:9-10
  11. BEFORE THE UNGODLY / 1 CORINTHIANS 6:1
  12. JUDGE THOSE INSIDE / 1 CORINTHIANS 5:10-12
  13. LITTLE YEAST WORKS THROUGH THE WHOLE BATCH / 1 CORINTHIANS 5:6
  14. HAND THIS MAN OVER TO SATAN / 1 CORINTHIANS 4-5
  15. BEEN FILLED WITH GRIEF / 1 CORINTHIANS 5:2
  16. SEXUAL IMMORALITY AMONG YOU – HAS HIS FATHER’S WIFE / 1 CORINTHIANS 5:1
  17. KINGDOM OF GOD … POWER / 1 CORINTHIANS 4:20
  18. APOSTLES … CONDEMNED / 1 CORINTHIANS 4:9-13
  19. HAVE ALL YOU WANT … HAVE BECOME RICH / 1 CORINTHIANS 4:8
  20. WHY DO YOU BOAST / 1 CORINTHINANS 4:7
  21. EXPOSE THE MOTIVES OF MEN’S HEARTS / 1 CORINTHIANS 4:5
  22. CONSCIENCE IS CLEAR … DOES NOT MAKE ME INNOCENT / 1 CORINTHIANS 4:4
  23. GOD WILL DESTROY HIM / 1 CORINTHIANS 3:17
  24. YOU YOURSELVES ARE GOD’S TEMPLE / 1 CORINTHIANS 3:16
  25. HE WILL SUFFER LOSS – BUT ONLY AS ONE ESCAPING THROUGH THE FLAMES / 1 CORINTHIANS 3:15
  26. ONE PURPOSE / 1 CORINTHIANS 3:8
  27. YOU ARE STILL WORLDLY / 1 CORINTHIANS 3:3
  28. NOT ADDRESS YOU AS SPIRITUAL / 1 CORINTHIANS 3:1
  29. WE HAVE THE MIND OF CHRIST / 1 CORINTHIANS 2:16
  30. WORDS TAUGHT BY THE SPIRIT / 1 CORINTHIANS 2:13
  31. THAT WE MAY UNDERSTAND / 1 CORINTHIANS 2:12
  32. I FOLLOW PAUL … APOLLOS … CEPHAS … I FOLLOW CHRIST / 1 CORINTHIANS 1:12
  33. A DEMONSTRATION OF THE SPIRIT’S POWER / 1 CORINTHIANS 2:4
  34. I DID NOT COME WITH … WISDOM / 1 CORINTHIANS 2:1
  35. CHRIST JESUS HAS BECOME FOR US WISDOM / 1 CORINTHIANS 1:30
  36. NULLIFY THE THINGS THAT ARE / 1 CORINTHIANS 1:28-29
  37. GOD CHOSE THE FOOLISH THINGS / 1 CORINTHIANS 1:27
  38. THE FOOLISHNESS OF WHAT WAS PREACHED / 1 CORINTHIANS 1:21
  39. THE WISDOM OF THE WORLD / 1 CORINTHIANS 1:20
  40. CHRIST DID NOT SEND ME TO BAPTIZE / 1 CORINTHIANS 1:17
  41. GOD … IS FAITHFUL / 1 CORINTHIANS 1:9
  42. IT IS THE POWER OF GOD / 1 CORINTHIANS 1:8
  43. YOU DO NOT LACK ANY SPIRITUAL GIFT – WAIT FOR OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST TO BE REVEALED / 1 CORINTHIANS 1:7
  44. CALLED TO BE HOLY / 1 CORINTHIANS 1:1-2
  45. PRAY WITH MY SPIRIT – PRAY WITH MY MIND / 1 CORINTHIANS 14:14-15
  46. THIS CUP / 1 CORINTHIANS 11:25
  47. THE GREATEST … IS LOVE / 1 CORINTHIANS 13:13
  48. TONGUES, THEY WILL BE STILLED / 1 CORINTHIANS 13:8
  49. LOVE IS PATIENT / 1 CORINTHIANS 13:4-7
  50. I AM NOTHING / 1 CORINTHIANS 13:2
  51. BUT HAVE NOT LOVE / 1 CORINTHIANS 13:1
  52. GUIDED BY GRACE ABOUT

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my blog post! May the words inspire and uplift all who read them. Your support and interest mean the world to me, and I’m grateful for every moment you spend here. Stay tuned for more, and feel free to share your thoughts in the comments!” Blessings, Margarita & Stace

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I SAY THIS (I NOT THE LORD) / 1 CORINTHIANS 7:12
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I SAY THIS (I NOT THE LORD) / 1 CORINTHIANS 7:12
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Paul is not merely giving his own opinion here; rather, he says that he does not have a direct saying of Jesus to confirm what he is about to write.
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