Note 14 at 1 Cor. 7:11: Paul had just stated in the previous verse that it was the command of the Lord not to divorce. Now, while he is still speaking a command of the Lord, he proceeds to give instructions to those who don't abide by this command. This is amazing!

The Lord gives His perfect will in verse 10 and then provides an alternative in this verse. Divorce is never God's best, but He does allow it. However, there is a difference between what these scriptures teach and what the Lord allowed under the Old Covenant. In Deuteronomy 24:1-4, the Lord allowed divorce and remarriage. Under these N.T. commands, the Lord allowed divorce but no remarriage. The commands concerning marriage are stricter under grace than they were under law (Tit. 2:11-12).

Note 15 at 1 Cor. 7:11: The New Testament does not give any instructions about the conditions under which a marriage can be reconciled after divorce. However, the Old Testament did in Deuteronomy 24:1-4. If one of the divorced partners marries someone else, then he or she was not to go back to his or her first mate. It can be assumed that the New Testament silence means these Old Testament instructions still stand.