Yes, Paul's first letter to the Corinthians had the desired effect, leading the Corinthians to repent and correct their problems.
According to Les Feldick's teaching, the first letter accomplished its work because the Corinthians dealt with the person involved in gross immorality and corrected their issues (Clip 1). Paul's second letter, written within a year, shows a whole different attitude—he is no longer condemning but encouraging and boasting about them (Clip 2). Les emphasizes that the first letter did not fall on deaf ears, as the Corinthians cleaned up their act (Clip 4).
2 Corinthians 7:7 — This verse indicates the Corinthians' earnest desire and mourning, showing their repentance in response to Paul's first letter.
The Bible does not explicitly state in so many words that Paul's first letter to the Corinthians had the desired effect, but it reveals the Corinthians' positive response. In 2 Corinthians, Paul writes that Titus was comforted by the Corinthians, as he reported their earnest desire, mourning, and fervent mind toward Paul (2 Corinthians 7:7). This indicates a change of heart and repentance. Additionally, Paul's second letter to the Corinthians is written to encourage and exhort them, in contrast to the corrective tone of the first letter. He boasts about them to other churches, showing that they had turned from their former problems (2 Corinthians 8:1-6).
Les Feldick teaches that Paul's first letter to the Corinthians was corrective, addressing a church full of problems, including divisions and gross immorality (Clips 5, 7). However, the second letter, written within a year, reveals that the Corinthians had corrected these issues. Les emphasizes that the first letter did not fall on deaf ears (Clip 4), and that Titus brought news of their repentance and positive attitude toward Paul (Clip 0). Les sees the second letter as a shift from condemnation to encouragement, as Paul boasts about the Corinthians to other churches (Clip 2).
The Corinthians showed their repentance by dealing with the person involved in gross immorality and evidently restoring him to fellowship (Clip 1). They also expressed earnest desire and mourning, as reported by Titus (Clip 0). Les highlights that Paul was comforted by their fervent mind toward him, indicating a change of heart.
Les notes that Paul's second letter to the Corinthians had a whole different attitude. Instead of condemning them, Paul is encouraging, exhorting, and boasting about them to other churches in Achaia and Macedonia (Clip 2). This positive tone indicates that the problems addressed in the first letter had been corrected.
Les directly states that the first letter did not fall on deaf ears (Clip 4). The second letter implies that the Corinthians had cleaned up their act and dealt with the issues, showing that Paul's reproof was effective.
Titus Reports Corinthians' Repentance
Les describes how Titus brought news of the Corinthians' earnest desire and mourning, showing their repentance and positive attitude toward Paul.
First Letter Accomplished Its Work
Les explains that Paul's first letter accomplished its work because the Corinthians dealt with the immorality and corrected their problems.
Second Letter Shows Corrected Attitude
Les notes that the second letter reflects a change in Corinth—Paul encourages and boasts about them instead of condemning.
Why Does God Wait Until the End to Judge? — 1 Corinthians 4 Explained
There were probably a few dozen at the most that Paul addresses here, and these fellows and these women have just recently come out of such a pagan background. Now it stands to reason that they couldn't all of a sudden, or they didn't all of a sudden, become spiritual giants.
First Letter Not in Vain
Les states that the first letter did not fall on deaf ears, as the Corinthians had time to clean up their act.
Corinth's Problems Before Correction
Les provides background on the problems in Corinth, such as divisions, that Paul addressed in the first letter, setting the stage for the correction.
What It Means to Be Sealed by the Holy Spirit — 2 Corinthians 1:21-22
I did not come to Corinth purposely so that I would not be more stringent in His reproof, and a letter would be a better kinder way of doing it. And so he just knew that time was not ripe for him to make a personal appearance amongst this congregation, and don't forget everything we learned in 1 Corinthians with all the problems and all the necessary reproofs that were brought upon that congregati…
Gross Immorality Addressed
Les mentions that gross immorality was a chief problem in Corinth that Paul had to correct, which was later resolved.
2 Corinthians 7:7: And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us of your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more.
This verse shows the Corinthians' positive response to Paul's first letter, as reported by Titus.
2 Corinthians 8:1: Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;
This introduces Paul's boasting about the Corinthians' generosity, indicating their spiritual growth after correction.
Yes, according to Les Feldick's teaching, Paul's first letter to the Corinthians led to their repentance. They dealt with the gross immorality and corrected other problems, as evidenced by the positive tone of Paul's second letter.
The Corinthians showed change by their earnest desire, mourning, and fervent mind toward Paul, as reported by Titus (2 Corinthians 7:7). They also dealt with the person involved in gross immorality and restored him to fellowship.
Watch the Teaching: Godly Sorrow vs. Worldly Sorrow — 2 Corinthians 7:10 Explained