If the entire Bible is the word of God, how should we interpret verses that say, "This isn't God's word."

Question

1 Cor 7:6-7

But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment.
For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.


1 Cor 7:12-16

But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away.
And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him.
For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.
But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace.
For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?

But it says, "God did not say this." If God didn't say it, shouldn't we ignore it?

Answer 1

You are interpreting what you see incorrectly. These are scriptures of the letters Paul wrote to the city of Corinth. Paul is God's tool to our world. After Jesus ascended Paul was given the responsibilty to continue the works of God. As it goes he did what he could, now as for the line, ...'permission, and not of commandment...' what Paul meant is that what he is specifically writing after, was not directly commanded by God to say. To answer why is beyond me right now, and needs more research, but if i had to guess, it was probably already said, or written or taught, and God gave Paul permission to write it anyway because the message is good. Remember Paul did nothing on his own accord, his very aspect of life is to do the works of God, chosen to be the rock the church was built upon. His teachings are given by God. Wether or not it was commanded is irrelevent.

Answer 2

Paul is giving his opinion on the question asked by the Corinthians.(see v 1) Although G-D said be fruitful and multiply, Corinth is a pagan city, not the best place to be looking for a mate. So the answer is no, just because Paul said something and it made it into the Bible doesn't make it the word of G-D.
Its not that we should ignore this but we need to understand the context in which it was written.

Answer 3

all Paul meant was that he is speaking from what he knows God's ways are... and not from a direct "word from the Lord".

all of what Paul said is based on the main commandment... to love they neighbor as thyself.
.

Answer 4

Here's something better, if those few words weren't, those others could really be "hell to pay for those who don't take heed," if they're as true as many believe. In all our analyzing we often miss the simplicity in things.

Answer 5

God gave him permission to put them in there so they become his word.