Graduated up from the comments are some insightful thoughts from commenter "Sojourner Wolf". -Bob
Unbeknownst to many sitting in the pews on Sunday are some things that are taught in seminary (yes, I have a Masters of Divinity degree from Central Baptist Theological Seminary). One, some of Paul's writings might not be Paul's writings.
A common practice of the time was for someone who considered him or her self a disciple of a religious or philosophical figure of reknown was to write their own beliefs and post them under that person's name rather than their own.
The letters of Paul that have come down to us include several that use language found nowhere else in other letters by Paul which may strongly indicate Paul may not have been the author. This is not unusual throughout most of the Old and New Testaments. Another note, inspired by God does not necessarily mean handed down by God. Paul's teachings on celibacy, for example, he admits are his own opinion. Likewise, when Christ speaks of divorce, Jesus said that Moses gave men that "due to your hardness of heart".
What does this have to do with the issue addressed? Well, also according to Jesus the Christ is the "New Covenant" by which we are no longer under the Law, but under Grace, for all the Law proved was we could not follow it. The "New Covenant" may succinctly be summed up in another passage where Jesus the Christ acknowledges that the two greatest commandments are "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul and all your might"..."and the second is like unto it, you shall love your neighbor as yourself."
Little enough love in this world of any kind, be it the agape we are to have for each other or the philios/eros which is found in relationships between those who would be friends, lovers, partners and mates in a monogamous, devoted relationship (which it sounds as if these women have after 22 years) This is skimpy and perhaps not as in depth as it could be, but don't want to be a space hog. I suggest to you that through prayer and meditation and yes, study of the Bible as the "inspired" Word of God, i.e. human beings trying to understand what God is trying to tell us and realizing that errors occur in trying to understand (recommend the book of Judges for stories about some real blunders) God. It is the record of the struggle to which we add our own to understand.
Not that writ indelibly as the be all and end all...for God delights when we seek God and God's True Nature (Love) not use our own blundering about trying to understand to play isogesis (cut and paste interpretation for purposes of supporting a personal agenda or untenable position.)