The Rhetorical Argument Structure
of First Corinthians 12--14
       by Robert S. Reid

Paul speaks to a Greek speaking audience who would have expected his literary text to be structured according to the rules of rhetoric in the first century. And this is exactly what we find in The Rhetorical Argument Structure of 1 Corinthians 12--14.

The author illuminates Paul's coherent argument to the Corinthians in five-parts.

• The Proposition: what is to be proved is summarily set forth.

• The Reason: by means of a brief explanation, sets forth the causal basis for the proposition, establishing the truth of what is argued.

• The Proof of the Reason: corroborates, by means of additional arguments, the briefly presented Reason.

• The Embellishment: adorns and enriches the argument, after the proof has been established.

• The Résumé: a brief conclusion, drawing together the parts of the argument.

Download PDF (No special language fonts are required )

A note from the author

Robert S. Reid is the Chair of the Communication Department at University of Dubuque, Dubuque Iowa.  The University of Dubuque is a Presbyterian related four year liberal arts university.  Robert Reid is an ordained Baptist minister.  In addition to being the author of Preaching Mark, he co-authors a textbook on homiletics entitled, Connecting with the Congregation: Rhetoric and the Art of Preaching (Abingdon, 1999).  If you wish to contact Mr. Robert Reid, please use the button below.  He would like to hear any comments or suggestions you may have concerning this article.