What was Paul afraid of when he preached?
Paul lived in constant fear of how he would be received, what hearers would do with his preaching, and what they might do to him. He did not rely on philosophy or healing meetings, but pointed people to their sin and to Christ crucified, and he experienced beatings as a result.
Les explains that Paul did not come to Corinth with philosophical arguments or a healing campaign, even though quoting Plato or other Greek classics might have drawn a crowd. Instead, Paul pointed directly at their sin, proclaimed that Christ died for them and loves them, and called them to believe. The result was an assembly of believers, though still carnal and with a long way to go. In verse 3, Paul says he was with them in weakness and fear. Les compares this to a lady who knocked on doors with shaking knees and fear, saying that was typical—so was the apostle. Paul lived in constant fear of how he would be received, what they would do with his preaching, and what they would do to him. He lived to find out, because they beat him.
And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.
More Questions
What did Paul mean when he said he was with the Corinthians in weakness and fear?
Paul was with the Corinthians in weakness and fear, living in constant fear of how he would be received and what they would do with his preaching and with him.