| Former half | Relation | Latter half |
| 1 Salutation (1:1-9) Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, (1:1) | Salutation | 25 Final messages and greetings (16:1-24) I, Paul, write you this greeting in my own hand. (16:21) |
| 2 Divisions in the church (1:10-17) 1:17 For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with the wisdom of human eloquence, so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its meaning.(1:17) | Not in vain | 24 The body of resurrection (15:31-58) 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be firm, steadfast, always fully devoted to the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.(15:58) |
| 3 Christ the power and wisdom of God (1:18-31) 1:23 but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, (1:23) | Proclaiming resurrection | 23 The resurrection of dead (15:12-30) 15:12 But if Christ is preached as raised from the dead, how can some among you say there is no resurrection of the dead?(15:12) |
| 4 Proclaiming Christ crucified (2:1-16) We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit that is from God, so that we may understand the things freely given us by God. (2:12) | Understanding by the grace of God | 22 The resurrection of Christ (15:1-11) But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me has not been ineffective. Indeed, I have toiled harder than all of them; not I, however, but the grace of God (that is) with me. (15:10) |
| 5 On divisions in the Corinthian church (3:1-23) 3:9 For we are God's co-workers; you are God's field, God's building. (3:9) | God's building | 21 Order of meeting (14:26-40) 14:26 Everything should be done for building up.(14:26) |
| 6 The ministry of the apostles (4:1-21) 4:21 Which do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love and a gentle spirit?(4:21) | Love | 20 Gifts of prophecy and tongues (14:1-25) 14:1 Pursue love, but strive eagerly for the spiritual gifts, above all that you may prophesy.(14:1) |
| 7 Sexual immorality (5:1-13) 5:6 Your boasting is not appropriate. Do you not know that a little yeast leavens all the dough?(5:6) | Don't proud | 19 The gift of love (12:31b-13:13) 13:3 If I give away everything I own, and if I hand my body over so that I may boast but do not have love, I gain nothing. (13:3) |
| 8 Glorify God in body and spirit (6:1-20) Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take Christs members and make them the members of a prostitute? (6:15) | Body of Christ | 18 Spiritual gifts (12:1-31a) Now you are Christs body, and individually parts of it. (12:27) |
| 9 Directions concerning marriage (7:1-16) 7:4 A wife does not have authority over her own body, but rather her husband, and similarly a husband does not have authority over his own body, but rather his wife. (7:4) | To give one's own body | 17 The Lord's supper (11:17-34) 11:24 and, after he had given thanks, broke it and said, "This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me." (11:24) |
| 10 The life that the Lord has assigned (7:17-24) 7:22 For the slave called in the Lord is a freed person in the Lord, just as the free person who has been called is a slave of Christ. (7:22) | Slave of Christ | 16 Head coverings (11:2-16) 11:3 But I want you to know that Christ is the head of every man, and a husband the head of his wife, and God the head of Christ.(11:3) |
| 11 The unmarried and the widows (7:25-40) 7:35 I am telling you this for your own benefit, not to impose a restraint upon you, but for the sake of propriety and adherence to the Lord without distraction. (7:35) | To serve to the LORD | 15 Do all to the glory of the LORD (10:23-33_11:1) 10:31 So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God. (10:31) |
| 12 Food offered to idols (8:1-13) 8:4 So about the eating of meat sacrificed to idols: we know that "there is no idol in the world," and that "there is no God but one." (8:4) | Idolatry | 14 Warnings against idolatry (10:1-22) 10:14 Therefore, my beloved, avoid idolatry.(10:14) |
| Former half | Relation | Latter half |
| 1 Salutation (1:1-9) 1:1 Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,(1:1) | An apostle | 13 The rights of an apostles (9:1-27) 9:1 Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord?(9:1) |
| 2 Divisions in the church (1:10-17) 1:10 I urge you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree in what you say, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and in the same purpose.(1:10) | Brothers | 12 Food offered to idols (8:1-13) 8:13 Therefore, if food causes my brother to sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I may not cause my brother to sin.(8:13) |
| 3 Christ the power and wisdom of God (1:18-31) 1:27 Rather, God chose the foolish of the world to shame the wise, and God chose the weak of the world to shame the strong, (1:27) | Invalidity of the world | 11 The unmarried and the widows (7:25-40) 7:31 those using the world as not using it fully. For the world in its present form is passing away. (7:31) |
| 4 Proclaiming Christ crucified (2:1-16) 2:2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified. (2:2) | Only Christ | 10 The life that the Lord has assigned (7:17-24) 7:22 For the slave called in the Lord is a freed person in the Lord, just as the free person who has been called is a slave of Christ. (7:22) |
| 5 On divisions in the Corinthian church (3:1-23) 3:6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God caused the growth. (3:6) | Each gift from God | 9 Directions concerning marriage (7:1-16) 7:7 Indeed, I wish everyone to be as I am, but each has a particular gift from God, one of one kind and one of another.(7:7) |
| 6 The ministry of the apostles (4:1-21) 4:3 It does not concern me in the least that I be judged by you or any human tribunal; I do not even pass judgment on myself; (4:3) | Judgement | 8 Glorify God in body and spirit (6:1-20) 6:2 Do you not know that the holy ones will judge the world? If the world is to be judged by you, are you unqualified for the lowest law courts? (6:2) |
| Former half | Relation | Latter half |
| 13 The rights of an apostles (9:1-27) 9:9 It is written in the law of Moses, "You shall not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain." Is God concerned about oxen, (9:9) | The collection | 25 Final messages and greetings (16:1-24) 16:1 Now in regard to the collection for the holy ones, you also should do as I ordered the churches of Galatia.(16:1) |
| 14 Warnings against idolatry (10:1-22) 10:13 No trial has come to you but what is human. God is faithful and will not let you be tried beyond your strength; but with the trial he will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to bear it. (10:13) | To overcome the trial | 24 The body of resurrection (15:31-58) 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be firm, steadfast, always fully devoted to the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.(15:58) |
| 15 Do all to the glory of the LORD (10:23-33_11:1) 10:33 just as I try to please everyone in every way, not seeking my own benefit but that of the many, that they may be saved.(10:33) | Everyone | 23 The resurrection of dead (15:12-30) 15:19 If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are the most pitiable people of all. (15:19) |
| 16 Head coverings (11:2-16) 11:2 I praise you because you remember me in everything and hold fast to the traditions, just as I handed them on to you.(11:2) | What Paul handed to | 22 The resurrection of Christ (15:1-11) 15:3 For I handed on to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures;(15:3) |
| 17 The Lord's supper (11:17-34) 11:33 Therefore, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for one another. 11:34 If anyone is hungry, he should eat at home, (11:33-34) | Order of meeting | 21 Order of meeting (14:26-40) So what is to be done, brothers? When you assemble, one has a psalm, another an instruction, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Everything should be done for building up. (14:26) |
| 18 Spiritual gifts (12:1-31a) 12:1 Now in regard to spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be unaware.(12:1) | Spiritual gifts | 20 Gifts of prophecy and tongues (14:1-25) 14:1 Pursue love, but strive eagerly for the spiritual gifts, above all that you may prophesy.(14:1) |