Why did the Jewish believers at Corinth cling to Peter instead of Paul?
Jewish believers at Corinth clung to Peter because he was steeped in Judaism and tied to Jerusalem and temple worship, giving him a natural affinity with their background. Though Peter likely did not bring them to salvation, his Jewish heritage and connection to their traditions made them identify with him rather than Paul or Apollos.
Les explains that the group at Corinth who clung to Peter rather than Paul or Apollos was likely the Jewish element. He notes there were believing Jews in all these early congregations, and it naturally followed that since Peter had been steeped in Judaism and was located at Jerusalem, they had an affinity for him. Peter was connected to their background, to the Judaism of Jerusalem, temple worship, and all that, so they more or less stuck with Peter. Les also says Paul would have been the first to give Peter an opportunity to speak to the believers at Corinth, but he does not believe Peter was instrumental in bringing these people out of paganism and to salvation. This clinging caused a division, and Les imagines it was a rather stark division, or Paul would not have considered it a problem. He compares it to today, when people rebel against the doctrine that our doctrines come from the pen of the Apostle Paul, saying they follow Jesus or Christ instead.