There were still some in the church, who, when reproved by the apostle, had persisted in their sinful course, despising his warnings and defying his authority. The time had come when he must take decisive measures to put down this opposition. He had warned the Corinthians of his purpose to come and deal in person with the obstinate offenders: “I write to them which heretofore have sinned, and to all other, that if I come again, I will not spare; since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me.” He had delayed his coming, to give them time for reflection and repentance. But now all who continued in their course of error and sin, must be separated from the church of Christ. They had charged Paul with timidity and weakness because of his long forbearance through love for their souls. He would now be compelled to pursue a course which would disprove this charge. {LP 184.1}

Der var stadig nogle i kirken, der selvom de blev sat i rette af apostlen havde vedholdt deres syndige handlemåde, foragtet hans advarsler og udfordret hans myndighed. Tidspunktet var kommet hvor han måtte tage afgørende skridt for at slå denne modstand ned. Han havde advaret korinterne om at han ville komme og personligt tage sig af genstridige oprørere: "Jeg siger stadig til dem, der før har syndet, og til alle de øvrige: Når jeg kommer igen, vil jeg ikke vise skånsel, siden I ønsker et bevis på, at Kristus taler i mig." Han har tøvet med at komme, og givet dem tid til at tænke over det og angre. Men nu må alle dem der fortsætter deres syndige og vildfarnes kurs, skilles ud fra Kristi kirke. De havde anklaget Paulus for at være bange og svag fordi han længe har båret over i kærlighed for deres sjæle. Nu vil han tvinges til at handele sådan, at denne anklage vil modbevises.