The church at Corinth was largely made up of Gentiles. Paul had labored earnestly among them, and had brought them to a knowledge of the truth. But after Paul had left them, false teachers had arisen, who had questioned the apostleship and ministry of Paul. They spoke contemptuously of him, and tried to make comparisons between themselves and him that would belittle him in the eyes of the church.{6BC 1082.10}

Menigheden i Korint var hovedsagligt dannet af hedninge. Paulus havde arbejdet ihærdigt blandt dem, og havde bragt dem til et kundskab om sandheden. Men efter Paulus havde forladt dem, havde falske lærere stået frem, som havde draget apostelskabet og Paulus tjeneste i tvivl. De talte hånligt om ham, og forsøgte at gøre sammenligninger mellem dem selv og ham, som ville forklejne ham i menighedens øjne.