And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband:
Not I, but the Lord - (cf. 1 Corinthians 7:12; 1 Corinthians 7:25; 1 Corinthians 7:40.) Ordinarily he writes on inspired apostolic authority (1 Corinthians 14:37); here on the direct authority of the Lord Himself (Mark 10:11-12). In both cases the things written are inspired by the Spirit of God; but not all for all times, nor all on essentials. The wisdom of Scripture is shown no less in what they leave open questions, than in what they positively decide.
Let not the wife depart - `separate herself,' or 'be separated from.'