at stake for Paul in Corinth was much greater than merely the Corinthians’ disenchantment with him and his ministry. In Paul’s mind, if the Corinthians were to reject Paul they would not only be turning their backs on their own “spiritual father,” but would, at the same time, be rejecting the very gospel itself! For as we shall come to see, Paul views himself in his apostolic calling not only as one who preaches the message of good news to the world, but equally important, as one ordained by God