Why did some Corinthians follow Paul in particular?
Some Corinthians followed Paul because he was the one who brought them out of idolatry and immorality. They naturally adhered to him as the instrument of their conversion. Paul did not draw people by appearance or speech; he gained converts through the Holy Spirit, but these believers still felt a personal loyalty to him.
Les explains that the Corinthian divisions were not doctrinal, since the groups agreed with Paul's Gospel; the issue was personalities. Les teaches that Paul was not the kind of man who drew people by appearance or speech; quite the opposite. Paul gained his converts strictly through the working of the Holy Spirit. Some believers naturally adhered to Paul because he had brought them out of idolatry and immorality. Later Apollos came with magnetism and charisma, and some said they wanted little to do with Paul and would follow Apollos. Les applies this today, noting that churches can fall apart when a pastor leaves, showing loyalty to a man instead of the Word of God and Christ. He urges believers not to hang their hearts on a man but to center on the Word of God and on Christ.