What problems in the Corinthian church did Paul have to correct in 1 Corinthians?
Paul corrected the Corinthians regarding meat offered to idols, excesses at the Lord's table, and marriage and divorce. He also addressed problems in chapters 12 and 14, which concerned spiritual things, with chapter 13 inserted to soften his approach and remind them that truth must be brought in love.
Les teaches that the Corinthians had several problems Paul had to correct. They did not know what to do with meat offered to idols, so he straightened them out. They had excesses at the Lord's table, making it far beyond what God intended. He also dealt with marriage and divorce. Les points out that all these things were problems. Then, between chapters 12 and 14, which are filled with problems, the Holy Spirit prompted Paul to write chapter 13, the love chapter, to soften his approach and prepare the ground. Paul knew the only way to bring people to the truth is in the spirit of love, not by slapping them with anger, ridiculing them, or putting them down. In chapter 14 he says to follow after love and desire spiritual things.