1 Corinthians / Question
Paul says the wife should not separate from her husband and the husband should not divorce his wife (1 Corinthians 7:10–11). In a mixed marriage, if the unbelieving spouse separates, Paul says the believer is “not enslaved” in such cases (1 Corinthians 7:15).
In 1 Corinthians 7:10–16, Paul gives guidance about marriage when separation is being considered, especially in mixed marriages where one spouse does not share the believer’s commitment. He first repeats what he treats as the Lord’s instruction: spouses should not split, and if a separation happens, reconciliation or staying unmarried are the options. This unit sits within Paul’s extended response to questions about marriage, sex, and life situations in chapter 7. After addressing celibacy and marriage more generally (7:1–9), he turns to cases where believers are already married and some are considering separation (7:10–11).
Paul addresses married believers first and treats the core instruction as coming from “the Lord”: spouses should not separate (verses 10–11). The passage also recognizes that separations do happen; in that case, Paul describes two outcomes that fit his aim of preserving the marriage bond: remaining unmarried or reconciliation (verse 11).
A careful answer keeps the immediate passage, the book's argument, and the whole-Bible storyline together, so the question is answered in context instead of as a detached idea.
Start with 1 Corinthians 7:10-11, then read the surrounding section so the answer stays connected to the passage's flow.
10But to the married I command -- not I, but the Lord -- that the wife not leave her husband
11(but if she departs, let her remain unmarried, or else be reconciled to her husband), and that the husband not leave his wife.