Paul did not venture to directly rebuke the licentious, and to show them how heinous was their sin in the sight of a holy God. His work was, as a wise instructor, to set before them the true object of life, impressing upon their minds the lessons of the divine Teacher, which were designed to bring them up from worldliness and sin to purity and immortal life. The spiritual senses must be matured by continual advancement in the knowledge of heavenly things. Thus the mind would learn to delight in them; and every precept of the word of God would shine forth as a priceless gem.{LP 124.2}

Paulus var ikke bange for at irettesætte tøjlesløshed, og vise dem hvor afskyelig deres synd var i en hellig Guds øjne. Som en klog instruktør var hans arbejde at sætte et sandt livsmål foran dem, indprente den guddommelige lærers lektier i deres sind, som skulle opdrage dem fra verdslighed og synd til renhed og evigt liv. De åndelige sanser må modnes af stadig vækst og kundskab til himmelske ting. Derved vil tankerne lære at glæde sig over dem; og alle forskrifter i Guds ord vil skinne frem som en uvurderlig perle.