Paul had written briefly to the church, announcing a plan which he for a time cherished, of visiting them immediately upon leaving Ephesus, and again upon his return from Macedonia. In the same letter he had admonished them to cease all communication with members who should persist in their profligacy. But the Corinthians perverted the apostle’s meaning, quibbled over his words, and excused themselves for disregarding his instructions.{LP 150.2}

Paulus havde skrevet kort til menigheden, og bekendtgjort en plan, som han gemte på en tid, at besøgte dem umiddelbart efter at have forladt Efesus, og atter til han kom tilbage til Makedonien. I det samme brev formanede han dem til at ophøre med al kommunikation, med medlemmer som fastholdt deres ryggesløshed. Men korinterne forvanskede apostlens mening, krøb uden om hans ord, og undskyldte sig selv for at ignorere hans instrukser.