Is There an Acceptable Reason to Divorce One's Spouse (according to Paul or the 1st Century Roman Empire)?

In 1 Corinthians, Paul has a lot to say concerning men and women, sex, marriage and divorce. He begins chapter 7 by stating that "It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman", but goes on to say that, because of the temptation of sexual immorality, "each man should have his own wife, and each wife her own husband". So, in this context it seems as though Paul is saying men and women should marry only to protect themselves from the sin of sexual immorality.

This seems like a pretty bleak existence. 

The question then, is this: According to Paul and the 1st Century Roman Empire, is there an acceptable reason to divorce one's spouse? The answer is not as cut and dried as one might think. In fact, and unsurprisingly, the two groups' opinions are split on the subject.

It should be noted that Paul, as a disciple of Jesus, was taught that marriage is absolute. In Matthew 19:6 and 19:9 Jesus addresses a Pharisee who is badgering him about proper marriage and divorce proceedings as defined under the Mosaic law. In verse 7 he says, "So they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate". He goes on, in verse 9, to say, "Whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery". In 1 Corinthians, it is interesting to see that, although Jesus gives an acceptable reason for divorce, Paul does not. In fact, Paul tells the Corinthians that if they do divorce their spouse, they are to never remarry.. He suggests reconciliation, but that is all.

In the case of gentile or Jewish divorce proceedings, it was often much more simple. In the Graeco-Roman tradition, a man and woman could get married on a whim and divorce each other just as easily.  The only caveat was that the man pay back the woman's dowry to either her or her father. Now, the dissolving of Jewish marriages on the other hand was slightly more complicated. In the Jewish tradition, in order to remarry, the woman had to be presented with a divorce certificate. This, however, was not a way to prevent divorce.

So, to answer the question simply: for Paul, no there was no acceptable reason to divorce one's spouse, and he made this very clear to the Corinthians, although he did offer a tiny concession. However, for Roman society, including the Jews? Yes, there were many acceptable reasons for divorce, including arguments or changes of heart.