(What I am now going to say is not inspired by the Lord: I am in the role of a 'fool,' now, on this business of boasting.
To other people I would say (not the Lord): — if any brother has a wife who is not a believer, and if she consents to live with him, he must not put her away;
in case any Macedonians accompany me and find you are not ready — which would make me (not to speak of yourselves) ashamed of having been so sure.
I have no orders from the Lord for unmarried women, but I will give you the opinion of one whom you can trust, after all the Lord's mercy to him.
But what I have just said is by way of concession, not command.
I wish you would put up with a little 'folly' from me. Do put up with me,