Should we accept the writings of the Apostle Paul as inspired (see 1 Corinthians 7:12)?

There is no theological basis for doubting the divine inspiration of Paul’s writings. In this verse, Paul is simply giving additional revelation regarding marriage that Jesus didn’t elaborate on.

what does the bible say?

The doctrine of verbal plenary inspiration of Scripture means that every single word of the Bible is “breathed out” by God (2 Timothy 3:16). So when Paul says “I, not the Lord” in 1 Corinthians 7:12, he is clarifying that Jesus gave no direct comm and regarding the specific situation of a believer having an unbelieving wife. Paul demonstrates godly wisdom applied to the issues about which the Corinthians wrote as he responds to their questions related to marriage (1 Corinthians 7:1, 6, 40). Paul is not giving human advice; rather, he wrote these words under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to a specific group of people at a specific time. Thus, they are personal, but they are relevant and instructive to us today in the same way all Scripture is (2 Timothy 3:16–17).

from the old testament

Paul’s writings are not found in the Old Testament..

from the new testament

In Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, he writes, “To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her” (7:12). Paul’s parenthetical clarification is meant to indicate that Jesus didn’t comment on the specific marital situation described in this passage. But his words are still inspired Scripture.
Like all of the Bible, 1 Corinthians 7:12 is inspired by the Holy Spirit: “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16).
Peter acknowledged that Paul wrote with the wisdom God gave him, and Peter equates Paul’s writings with “other Scriptures,” meaning that Paul’s writings are inspired (2 Peter 3:15-16).

implications for today

In 2 Peter 3:15-16, Peter notes three important aspects of Paul’s letters. First, he states some parts were hard to understand. Second, Peter notes that some had twisted Paul’s words “to their own destruction.” Third, Peter equates Paul’s writings with the “other Scriptures.” These other Scriptures were the Old Testament writings, works referred to as inspired by God by the apostle Paul (2 Timothy 3:16-17), the apostle Peter (2 Peter 1:20-21), as well as Jesus (Matthew 5:17-20). Peter here makes the clearest comment in the New Testament that Paul’s writings are inspired. This was not only the view of Peter, but was the accepted view of the earliest church fathers who included Paul’s letters along with the other New Testament writings as inspired Scripture. Though some people have misinterpreted Paul’s comment in 1 Corinthians 7:12, we can be confident that it, like the rest of Paul’s writings, is inspired by the Holy Spirit.

Recap

understand

Even Paul’s opinions recorded in Scripture are inspired.
First Corinthians 7:12 is not meant to convey that Paul was merely expressing his opinion.
Like the rest of Scripture, 1 Corinthians 7:12 is inspired by God.

reflect

How do Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 7:12 help you better underst and the biblical view of marriage?
How do Peter’s comments about Paul impact your view of the parts of Scripture written by Paul?
In what way does the inspiration of Scripture impact your reading of it?

engage

How do you explain Paul’s parenthetical comment in 1 Corinthians 7:12 to those who misinterpret it?
How can you help others have more confidence in the inspiration of the passages God inspired Paul to write?
What groups/people are most likely to doubt that Paul wrote inspired scripture? How can you best address the concerns of each group?