Did Paul say he was the foundation or that he laid the foundation?
Paul stated that by God's grace, as a wise master builder, he laid the foundation. He did not claim to be the foundation itself. The Holy Spirit inspired this claim, showing Paul defended his apostolic role without exalting himself as the foundation.
Les teaches that Paul's statement might sound egotistical, except every word Paul writes is Holy Spirit inspired. Paul is not bragging about himself; the Spirit is inspiring him for our benefit. Les notes that some today dismiss Paul's epistles, preferring to spend all their time in the four Gospels and what Jesus said, which was part of the Corinthian divisions. Paul constantly defended his apostleship against Satanic attack. By God's grace, as a wise master builder, Paul laid the foundation—he never says he is the foundation.