Why does Paul 'back into' the situation when addressing the Corinthians' problems?
Paul backs into the situation so he does not flare up the Corinthians' anger and place them beyond his ability to deal with them. He avoids outright condemnation while still refusing to agree with their problems, recognizing that they remain carnal and fleshly minded.
Les teaches that I Corinthians was written in response to the Corinthians' questions, as Paul says in chapter 7 verse 1, “concerning the things whereof you wrote unto me.” The letter deals with problems Paul does not commend them for. He is too kind to condemn them outright, but he does not commend them or brag on them. When Les gets through the love chapter, I Corinthians chapter 13, he will emphasize that Paul is backing into the situation so he does not flare up their anger and put them where he cannot deal with them, while still not agreeing with all their problems. The reason is that they are still so carnal; of all the churches Paul deals with, none were as carnal and fleshly minded as the church at Corinth, and the content shows it.