How did Paul approach his ministry in Corinth compared to gimmicks or advertising?
Paul rejected gimmickry, flippant statements, silly ideas, and what would today be called Fifth Avenue advertising. He came to Corinth with sincerity and heartfelt desire, not as a hawker selling cheap wares, so pagan people might leave darkness and enter the glorious gospel's light. His aim was that they turn from idols to serve the living God.
Les explains that Paul did not come to Corinth with flippant statements, silly ideas, gimmickry, or what today would be called Fifth Avenue advertising. Instead he came with all sincerity and the desires of his heart, hoping to see pagan people come out of pagan darkness and step into the light of the glorious gospel. Les points out that Paul did not come like a hawker selling cheap wares, but with all the sincerity of his heart. He then turns to 1 Thessalonians 1:9 as typical of every place Paul ministered: the people showed what manner of entering in Paul had, and they turned to God from idols to serve the living God.