Point # 1: an exasperated rebuke (1-7)

• In light of eschatological realities, the Corinthian church should be able to settle their own disputes and be willing to suffer wrong. 

Point # 2: an eschatological warning (8-10)

• Those whose lives are characterized by sin will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Point # 3:  “And that is what some of you were . . .” (11)

• The Corinthians – though once their lives were characterized by sin – are now washed, sanctified, and justified.

A few clarifying points: 

• Paul is referring to civilmatters in this text, not criminal. Paul does not permit Christians and their churches to avoid disclosing a crime to the God-ordained secular authorities (Romans 13:1-7).
• Paul understands that some things needing judgment are not considered improper outside the church (e.g., fornication, adultery, gossip, heresy).
• Paul does not forbid a Christian from filing a civil suit against a non-Christian – but then again, what is the heart motivation, eternal perspective, and eschatological understanding of the plaintiff? (Romans 13:1-7; Matthew5:40).
• “Worth pondering are the occasions when Paul stands on his Roman citizenship, and when he does not. Sometimes he is beaten without a word of protest. In Philippi, Paul and Silas are “severely flogged” (16:23–24), apparently without protesting. Roman citizens were exempt from flogging until they had been found guilty of the crime for which they were charged. Yet when the jailer is told to release the prisoners, Paul protests that he and Silas, both citizens, have been flogged without a trial, and insists that the city’s leaders come and escort them out of jail as a kind of public apology (16:37–39). Why not simply suffer in silence, not least since that is what they sometimes do? It is difficult to prove, but many have argued, believably, that Paul stands on his rights when by doing so he thinks he can establish legal precedents that may help other Christians. Every case on the books where Christians have been shown not to be guilty of public disorder or a threat to the Roman Empire can only be a useful legal precedent. If this is right, it is a mark of strategic thinking—for the sake of others.”(D. A. Carson)

Definitions

• Eschatology = “the study of last things” 
• Eschatology, as it is understood in the bible, is the movement toward the already-here/not-yet-comeNew Creational reign of Jesus, the Kingdom of God.