A letter was sent to Paul by the church, asking for counsel concerning various matters, but saying nothing of the grievous sins existing among them. The apostle was, however, forcibly impressed by the Holy Spirit that the true state of the church had been concealed and that this letter was an attempt to draw from him statements which the writers could construe to serve their own purposes.

Menigheden sendte Paulus et brev, hvori de bad ham om råd angående forskellige ting, men de sagde intet om de alvorlige synder, der foregik iblandt dem. Helligånden indgav imidlertid apostlen en tydelig følelse af, at menighedens sande tilstand blev holdt skjult for ham og at dette brev var et forsøg på at aflokke ham meddelelser, som brevskriverne kunne udnytte til egen fordel.