outline : chapters 1 - 4
 
1:1 - 1:9 introduction
1:1 - 1:3 from paul, to corinth

1:4: - 1:9 thankfulness and position

1:10 - 4:21 issue one : a lack of unity
1:10 - 1:17 factionalism (paul, apollos, cephus)

1:18 - 2:16 the cross vs. man's "wisdom"
1:18 - 1:25 foolishness of the message (to the world)

1:26 - 1:31 humble status of the believers

2:1 - 2:5 paul's weakness and humility when he was among them

2:6 - 2:16 the true wisdom of god

3:1 - 3:23 god, not man, is the cause of growth
3:1 - 3:8 i planted, apollos watered, but god was causing the growth

3:9 - 3:15 build with care, for the result will be tested

3:16 - 3:17 you are a temple

3:18 - 3:23 do not boast in men

4:1 - 4:21 the humility
4:1 - 4:5 paul as god's servant

4:6 - 4:13 paul's humble status as a lesson to them

4:14 - 4:21 "be imitators of me" (in humility)