Purpose and Outline of
1 Corinthians

The Bible Teaching Commentary

Paul J. Bucknell
_________________________

Introduction of 1 Corinthians 15 | Defending Resurrection (15:12-34)
Explaining the Resurrection (15:35-49) | Proclaiming the Resurrection (15:50-58)
Bible Study Questions: 1 Corinthians 15:9-10 | 1 Corinthians 15:12-58

Purpose

Purpose and Outline of 1 Corinthians serves as part of The Bible Teacher's Commentary which provides an overview summary of the Book of 1 Corinthians.

Purpose of 1 Corinthians

Creating Unity and Harmony in a Divided Church

Paul addresses the general issues causing factions within the church, highlighting their tendency to be arrogant and carnal, but simultaneously points out the ability and beauty of living by the Spirit of God.

He goes on by stressing his authority to direct their church affairs before directing them on specific issues. Paul saw the enemy to unity is the lack of commitment to serve the Lord together derives from people serving their own flesh. Paul confronted these enemies by showing God’s ways and revealed the inadequacy of their own lusts, immoralities, greed and discontentment.

Paul turned their minds to a more lofty way of life. Instead of seeking freedoms to serve ourselves, we should use these liberties to serve the Lord. Freedoms such as eating foods, marry who one wishes, getting paid for our ministry all exist to test our commitment to serve the body of Christ.

Even with freedom, there still are rules to govern the church and to protect God’s work. If we chose to serve one another instead of our fleshly appetites, then these rules would not need to be existent at all. But we are not that way. The Lord judges His people and we need to be careful to do all that He wants. Women’s tendency to usurp authority, focusing on satisfying our appetites rather than meditating upon Christ during communion meal and the exercise of spiritual gifts all must be subject to God’s rules for decency, order and respect of Christ’s work in His people.

Paul declares the historicity of the Gospel so to remind them of Christ’s work on the cross and the resurrection. Christ is living in their midst. They also need to attend to building up rewards for the future rather than focusing on their appetites on earth. Because He is living, we respond to Him by giving and faithful caring for our coworkers.

Outline of 1 Corinthians

1 Corinthians will help us gain a wonderful handle on how the resurrection makes a different on my present life.

1 CORINTHIANS FULL OUTLINE

Not lacking in any gift
Awaiting eagerly the revelation of Jesus Christ
Perseverant and blameless to the end

• Introduction to 1 Corinthians (1:1-9)

A. Complete in the same mind and judgment – no divisions (1:10-4)

• Exhortation to unity (1:10-17)
  

• Reason #1 Christ destroyed our pride (1:18-31)
  

• Reason #2 Paul’s Example of humility (2:1-16)
  

• God’s foundation building (3:1-23)
  

• Quality of leaders (4:1-21)

B. Eliminating Evil in Church (5-6)

• Dealing with the immoral (5:1-13)
  

• Dealing with those filing lawsuits (6
  

• Immorality (6:12-20)

C. Their Concerns (7-9)

• Marriage Problems (7:1-7)
  

• Singles and Singlehood (7:8-40)
  

• Sacrifice to idols (8:1-13)
  

• Apostles right to marriage/freedom (9:1-27)

D. Common Concerns (10-11)

• Temptations (10:1-13)
  

• Idolatry (10:14-33)
  

• Women in worship (11:1-16)
  

• Communion (11:17-34)

E. Spiritual Gifts (12-14)

• Gifts of Spirit (12:1-31)
  

• Love supremacy (13:1-13)
  

• Clarification on Tongues (14:1-33)
  

• Women speaking in church (14:34-40)

F. Historicity of the Gospel (15)

• Historicity of the Gospel (15:1-11)
  

• Character of Resurrection (15:12-49)
  

• The final moment (15:50-58)

G. Closing Words (16)

• Perspective on offering
  

• Last charges and greetings (16:10-24)

Click to read,

Battling Immorality (1 Corinthians 6)

Defending the Resurrection (15:12-34)

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Biblical Foundations for Freedom ( BFF )

Rev. Paul J. Bucknell