Paul was free to mention how and by whom he had been informed of the divisions in the church: “It hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.” Though Paul was an inspired apostle, the Lord did not reveal to him at all times just the condition of his people. Those who were interested in the prosperity of the church, and saw evils creeping in, presented the matter before him, and from the light which he had previously received, he was prepared to judge of the character of these developments. Because the Lord had not given him a new revelation for that special time, those who were really seeking light did not cast aside his message as only a common letter. The Lord had shown him the difficulties and dangers which would arise in the churches, that when they should develop, he might know how to treat them. He was set for the defense of the church; he was to watch for souls as one who must render account to God; and should he not take notice of the reports concerning their state of anarchy and division? Most assuredly; and the reproof he sent them was written as much under the inspiration of the Spirit of God as were any of his epistles. {LP 152.3}

Paulus blev fri for at nævne hvordan og hvem fortalte ham om splid i menigheden: "Thi af Kloes folk er det blevet mig fortalt om jer, mine brødre, at der er stridigheder iblandt jer." Selvom Paulus var en inspireret apostel, åbenbarede Herren ikke hvergang sit folks sande tilstand. Dem som var interesseret i menighedens fremgang, og så de onder der krøb ind, og bragte sagen frem for ham, og fra det lys som han tidliger havet fået, var han beredt til at dømme karakteren af denne udvikling. Fordi Herren ikke gav ham en ny åbenbaring for den specielle tid, forkastede dem, der virkelig søgte efter lyset, ikke hans budskab som et almindeligt brev. Herren havde vist ham de vanskeligheder og farer som skulle rejse sig i menighederne, at når de udvikler sig, måtte han vide hvordan han behandler dem. Han var ikke sat som forsvarer for menigheden; han skulle passe på sjæle, som dem der måtte aflægge regnskab over for Gud; og skulle han da ikke tage sig af efterretninger om deres anerki og splid? Uden tvivl; og de irettesættelser han sendte dem blev skrevet lige så meget under Guds Ånds inspiration, som andre af hans breve gjorde.