Adventistische Schriften über: "Which words and expressions in these verses show that Paul's gentle approach to the Corinthians was not weakness, but his courage in dealing with the problem of false teachers in Corinth?"

The Scriptures show that Paul dealt with the Corinthians with “caution and gentleness” and great patience, because they had been confused by the fallacies of false teachers. His careful approach and the deliberate avoidance of direct attacks against false teachers did not stem from a lack of courage or weakness, but from wise restraint, so as not to lead the congregation completely away from the truth and to preserve his saving influence. At the same time, he addressed the problems in the most decisive manner and with deep love, to lead the believers to repentance.

Paul's careful approach to protect the wayward

»How different Paul’s manner of writing to the Corinthian church was from the approach he chose toward the Galatians! He rebuked the former with caution and gentleness, the latter with words of unflinching correction. The Corinthians had been overwhelmed by temptation. Deceived by the sophisticated sophistry of teachers who presented errors under the guise of truth, they had become confused and unsettled. To teach them to distinguish falsehood from truth required caution and patience. Hardness or reckless haste on Paul’s part would have destroyed his influence over many of those he so dearly wanted to help.«

1 - Ellen Gould White, The Acts of the Apostles (AA 385.1)

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Wise restraint toward the false teachers

»The apostle mentioned the false teachers who sought to destroy the fruit of his work with no word. Because of the darkness and division in the congregation, he wisely refrained from provoking them through such mentions, fearing that some might be completely turned away from the truth. He directed attention to his own work among them as that of a “wise builder,” who had laid the foundation on which others built.«

2 - Ellen Gould White, The Acts of the Apostles (AA 303.1)

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Decisive correction in love

»Thus the apostle endeavored in the most decisive and striking manner to correct the false and dangerous ideas and practices that prevailed in the Corinthian congregation. He spoke openly yet out of love for their souls. In his warnings and rebukes, light seemed to shine from the throne of God upon them, to expose the hidden sins that stained their lives.«

3 - Ellen Gould White, The Acts of the Apostles (AA 321.2)

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