Introduction to 1 Corinthians

Outline:

a. Introduction – the Corinthian church’s exalted position (1:1-9).

b. Exhortations – the Corinthian church’s carnal problems (1:10-6:20).

i. The problem of division (1:10-17).
ii. The problem of intellectual pride (1:18-2:16).

Pride and the word of the cross (1:18-31).

Faith in the power of God (2:1-5).

iii. The problem of defiling God’s temple, the local church (3:1-4:21).
iv. The problem of tolerated immorality (5:1-13).
v. The problem of lawsuits (6:1-20).

c. Answers – the Corinthian church’s specific questions (7:1-16:12).

i. The question of singleness and marriage (7:1-40).
ii. The question of meats sacrificed to idols (8:1-10:33).
iii. The question of worship traditions—role of women and Lord’s Table (11:1-34).
iv. The question of revelatory gifts (12:1-14:40).
v. The question of the resurrection of believers (15:1-58).
vi. The question of the Jerusalem offering (16:1-11).
vii. The question about the coming of Apollos (16:12).

d. Conclusion – the Corinthian church’s need for love (16:13-24).