8 To those who are not yet married, or who are widowed, I would say it is better if they remain like me. 9 But if they lack self-control, then they should get married—for it is better to marry than burn with desire.

10 These are my instructions to those who are married—in fact not from me but the Lord: The wife should not leave her husband 11 (or if she does, she should not remarry, or she should return to her husband); and the husband should not leave his wife.*7:11. One particular problem in the early church was of one spouse becoming Christian, and how then to relate to the non-Christian spouse. This seems to be what is addressed here.