I. The Context (See Dr. Mark's Chronology)

A. The Founding of the Church

1.  The City

 

2. Paul's Mission (Acts 18:1–18)

 

B. The Character of the Community 

1. Religious and Ethnic background (1 Cor 12:2)

 

2. Prosopography and Socio-economic Factors (1:26; e.g., Erastus mentioned in Rom 16)

 

C. Subsequent Events

1. Departure and Eventual Two Year Stay in Ephesus (Acts 18:18–20:1)

 

2. An Oral Report from Chloe's People (1 Cor 1:11)

 

3. A Letter from the Corinthians via Stephanus, Fortunatus, Achaicus (1 Cor 7:1; 16:17–18)

 

II. The Rhetorical Situation: An Unholy Church

A. Divisions caused by pretentious arrogance and selfishness

 

B. Immorality: From Paul to “those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints” (1:1–2)

 

C. A Rhetorical Problem: The Undermining of Paul's Authority

III. The Rhetorical Response

A. Introduction (exordium) and Thesis (propositio) in 1:4–10

1. Paul gives thanks for their speech, knowledge, and spiritual gifts (vv. 4–9; captatio benevolentiae)

 

2. Thesis: "I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same purpose" (1:10)

 

B. Arguments (probatio)

1. Heading One: Divisive Leadership Issues (chaps. 1–4)

a. Introduction and Thesis

(1) Paul criticizes them for claiming "My apostle is better than your apostle!" (1:10–16; cf. Acts 18:24–19:1)   

 

(2) Thesis: The gospel does not depend on eloquent wisdom (sophia logou), but on the foolishness of the cross (v. 17)

 

b. Arguments

(1) The wisdom of the world is not the wisdom of God (1:18–3:4)

 

(2) Apostles are servants, not sophists (3:5–4:5)

 

c. Conclusion

(1) There is no reason to be "puffed up" against each other (vv. 4:6–13)

 

(2) You may have many guides, but I'm your father! (vv. 14–21)