MICHAEL G. VANLANINGHAM
OUTLINE
Introduction
I. Paul’s Introduction to the Letter (1:1-17)
A. Every Christian Belongs to God (1:1-3)
B. Every Christian Is Enriched by God (1:4-9)
C. Every Christian Possesses Christ (1:10-17)
II. The First Problem: Divisions in the Church (1:18–4:21)
A. The First Exhortation: Do Not Divide the Divine Institution (1:18–2:5)
B. The Second Exhortation: Regard All Believers as Equals (2:6–3:4)
C. The Third Exhortation: View God as Preeminent in the Church (3:5–4:21)
III. The Second Problem: Moral Flaws in the Church (5:1–6:20)
A. The First Exhortation: Practice Church Discipline (5:1-13)
B. The Second Exhortation: Avoid Lawsuits against Fellow Christians (6:1-11)
C. The Third Exhortation: Promote Personal Moral Integrity (6:12-20)
IV. The Third Problem: Obligations and Value of Marriage (7:1-40)
A. The First Exhortation: View Marriage as Beneficial (7:1-7)
B. The Second Exhortation: Fulfill Your Marital Obligations (7:8-16)
C. The Third Exhortation: Develop Contentment with Present Marital Status (7:17-24)
D. The Fourth Exhortation: Emphasize the Benefits of Single Life (7:25-40)
V. The Fourth Problem: Issues Related to Christian Liberty in Eating Food Offered to Idols (8:1–11:1)
A. The First Exhortation: Temper Christian Liberty with Love (8:1-13)
B. The Second Exhortation: Be Willing to Forego Christian Liberty (9:1-27)
C. The Third Exhortation: Limit Christian Liberty before God Disciplines (10:1-22)
D. The Fourth Exhortation: Adjust Behavior to Suit Various Settings (10:23–11:1)
VI. The Fifth Problem: Chaos in Church Worship Services (11:2–14:40)
A. The First Exhortation: Maintain Sexual Distinctions (11:2-16)
B. The Second Exhortation: Correct the Abuses of Communion (11:17-34)
C. The Third Exhortation: Employ Spiritual Gifts Carefully (12:1–14:40)
VII. The Sixth Problem: Denial of the Resurrection of the Dead (15:1-58)
A. The First Exhortation: Consider the Evidence for the Resurrection (15:1-11)
B. The Second Exhortation: Consider the Consequences of No Resurrection from the Dead (15:12-19)
C. The Third Exhortation: Consider the Centrality of the Resurrection in God’s Program (15:20-28)
D. The Fourth Exhortation: Consider that the Christian Life Is Made Purposeful because of the Resurrection of the Dead (15:29-34)
E. The Fifth Exhortation: Consider the Majesty of the Resurrection Body (15:35-50)
F. The Sixth Exhortation: Consider the Miraculous Change Resulting in the Resurrection of the Dead (15:51-58)
VIII. The Seventh Problem: The Collection for Poor Believers (16:1-4)
IX. The Conclusion of the Epistle: Personal Remarks (16:5-24)