Was Paul a dictator over the Corinthian church?
No. Paul states he does not have dominion over their faith but is a helper of their joy, for by faith they stand. Though he is their apostle and teacher who brought them out of pagan idolatry, he does not lord over them like a totalitarian dictator or stand over them with a heavy whip.
Les explains that Paul is not over lording the Corinthians like a totalitarian dictator. Paul tells them he does not have dominion over their faith but is a helper of their joy, for by faith they stand. He is their Apostle and teacher who brought them out of pagan idolatry, yet he is not standing over them with a heavy whip. Earlier, Paul called God as a record that to spare them he had not yet come to Corinth. He did not avoid them for frivolous reasons; he did not come so he would not be more stringent in reproof, since a letter would be a kinder way. He knew the time was not ripe for a personal appearance, remembering the problems and reproofs in 1 Corinthians. Paul was grieved and brokenhearted over Corinth, all in the back of his mind and under the Holy Spirit's inspiration.
Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.