What did Paul desire for the pagan people?
Paul desired that the pagan people come out of their pagan darkness and step into the light of the glorious gospel. His heart's desire was that they turn from idols to serve the living God, as seen in 1 Thessalonians 1:9. He came with sincerity, not gimmickry, longing to see them turn.
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 the sincerity and desires of his heart that he might see these pagan people come out of their pagan darkness and step into the light of the glorious gospel. Paul said he did not come like a hawker selling cheap wares, but with all sincerity of heart that they might turn. Les then points to 1 Thessalonians 1:9 as typical of every place Paul ministered, where they turned to God from idols to serve the living God. So Paul's desire for the pagan people was their turning from idols to the living God and their entrance into the light of the gospel.