Note 16 at 1 Cor. 7:12: Paul had just spoken a command from the Lord that married people should not divorce (v. 10), and if they do they are to remain single or be reconciled to their mates (v. 11). Now Paul adds to these instructions, with the Lord's permission (v. 6).

In the case where one of the marriage partners is born again and the other is not, Paul told the believer to remain in the marriage if the unbeliever was agreeable to that. However, if the unbeliever wanted a divorce, the believing mate did not have to fight to hold the marriage together. The believer could let the unbeliever depart.