What kind of opposition did Paul constantly face?
The opposition Paul constantly faced came from people who argued against his authority with seemingly reasonable-sounding claims, including divisions in Corinth where some claimed loyalty to Paul, Apollos, Peter, or Christ. It was opposition of various kinds, often sounding good, and it challenged his apostolic teaching.
Les explains that Paul was constantly up against opposition of one kind or another, and some of it probably sounded real good, just like today when people can throw arguments that sound good and put a person on the defensive for a little bit. In I Corinthians chapter 1 verse 12, Paul was up against congregational division: every one said, “I am of Paul,” someone else said, “I am of Apollos,” still others said, “I am of Peter” (that is, Cephas), and there were others who said, “I am of Christ.” Les says this sounds familiar, because people ask why Paul is emphasized and say they are not going to go by what some man says but by what Jesus said. So the opposition included arguments against Paul’s emphasis and authority, with people aligning themselves with different leaders or claiming Christ against Paul’s teaching.