Why did Paul come to the Corinthians with sincerity of heart?
Paul came with sincerity of heart so that the pagan Corinthians might come out of pagan darkness and step into the light of the glorious gospel. He rejected flippant statements, gimmickry, and cheap hawking, seeking instead their genuine turning to God, as seen when Thessalonians turned from idols to serve the living God.
Les explains that Paul did not come to Corinth with a bunch of flippant statements, silly ideas, gimmickry, or what today might be called Fifth Avenue advertising. Instead, he came with all the sincerity and desires of his heart, wanting 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. Les then points to 1 Thessalonians chapter 1, saying this was typical of every place Paul ministered: the Thessalonians themselves showed how they turned to God from idols, and the purpose was that they might serve the living God.