A letter was sent to Paul by the church, revealing nothing of the enormous sins that existed among them, but in a self-complacent manner asking counsel from him concerning various matters. He 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. There had come to Ephesus about this time several members of the household of Chloe, a Christian family of high repute in Corinth. In answer to the questions of the apostle, these brethren reluctantly gave him a statement of facts as they existed. The church was rent in factions; the dissensions that arose at the time of Apollos’ visit had greatly increased. False teachers were leading the brethren to despise the instructions of Paul. The doctrines and the ordinances of the gospel had been perverted. Pride, idolatry, and sensualism were steadily increasing among those who had once been disciples of Christ. {LP 150.3}

Menigheden sendte et brev til Paulus, og afslørede at der ikke var overmådelige synder som eksisterede iblandt dem, men spurgte på en selvtilfreds måde om råd fra ham, om forskellige ting. Han blev alligevel påtvunget Helligåndens indprentning, at menighedens sande tilstand var blevet skjult, og at dette brev var et forsøg på at drage udtalelser ud af ham som skriverne kunne fortolke deres egne hensigter. På det tidspunkt var der kommet flere medlemmer til Kloes hus, en ganske vellidt kristen familie i Korint. Som svar på apostlens spørgsmål, udtalte disse brødre modvilligt om kendsgerningerne som de er. Menigheden var splittet i fraktioner; der rejste sig megen splid da Apollos besøgte menigheden. Falske lærere var de brødre der førte an i forargelsen af Pauli belæring. Evangeliets læresætninger og forordninger var blevet forvansket. Stolthed, afgudsdyrkelse og sensualisme blev stadigt større iblandt dem, som tidligere var Kristi disciple.