It had been Paul's work to instruct the Corinthian converts in the rudiments, the very alphabet, of the Christian faith. He had been obliged to instruct them as those who were ignorant of the operations of divine power upon the heart. At that time they were unable to comprehend the mysteries of salvation; for "the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they 272 are spiritually discerned." Verse 14. Paul had endeavored to sow the seed, which others must water. Those who followed him must carry forward the work from the point where he had left it, giving spiritual light and knowledge in due season, as the church was able to bear it.

Paulus gerning havde bestået i at oplære de korintiske omvendte i begyndelsesgrundene, selve alfabetet i den kristne tro. Han havde været nødt til at belære dem som mennesker, der ikke kendte guddomskraftens indvirkning på sjælen. På det tidspunkt var de ikke i stand til at forstå frelsens mysterium; for "et sjæleligt menneske tager ikke mod det, der stammer fra Guds Ånd; thi det er ham en dårskab, og han kan ikke forstå det, thi det må bedømmes åndeligt," 1Kor. 2,14. Paulus havde forsøgt at så den sæd, som andre måtte vande. De, som fulgte efter ham, måtte videreføre arbejdet fra det punkt, hvor han havde efterladt det, og give åndeligt lys, når tiden var inde til, at menigheden kunne tåle det.