This momentous theme emerges in a dramatic real-life situation. The apostle confronts shadowy opponents who had recently come to Corinth and formed an alliance with some of the church leaders and members. His letter is a fascinating record of that conflict.

Paul Barnett argues that this heated debate between apparent power and apparent weakness is still with us today. His aim in this exposition has been to allow the timely message of 'God's fool' to be clearly heard.