Why are the problems Paul addressed in Corinth still relevant to churches today?
The problems Paul addressed in Corinth remain relevant because the human race does not change. The same issues that troubled the Corinthian church in A.D. 60 still trouble churches and personal lives today. Paul wrote by Holy Spirit inspiration, so his corrections continue to address the same unchanging human condition.
Les teaches that Paul is addressing the Corinthians in response to a letter they wrote asking how they were supposed to deal with these things. By Holy Spirit inspiration, Paul unloads on them. Les explains the reason: the things that were a problem in Corinth in A.D. 60 are still the same. The human race does not change, so churches and personal lives still have the same problems as the Corinthians did. Les also points to Paul's shocking statements in verse 9: Paul wrote in an epistle not to company with fornicators or immoral people, yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or the covetous, extortioners, or idolaters, for then one would have to go out of the world. If a person could go a whole week and never rub elbows with someone immoral or in gross sin, they would have to leave this world because it is impossible. Les notes that even Oklahoma or the Bible Belt is no different than any other place. Those working in large office complexes or production facilities rub elbows with a cross section of society and with every one of these classes of people.