What was Paul's goal in preaching to the pagan Corinthians?
Paul’s goal was to see the pagan Corinthians turn from their idolatry and pagan darkness to the living God, stepping into the light of the glorious gospel. He aimed at their conversion, not clever gimmicks or cheap advertising, but with sincere desire that they might turn and serve the living God.
Les explains that Paul did not come to Corinth with flippant statements, silly ideas, gimmickry, or what we might call Fifth Avenue advertising. He came with all sincerity and the desires of his heart to see these pagan people come out of their pagan darkness and step into the light of the glorious gospel. He did not come like a hawker selling cheap wares, but with sincerity that they might turn. Les points to 1 Thessalonians 1:9 as typical of Paul’s ministry: they turned to God from idols to serve the living God.