Example:  Outline of 2 Corinthians 4:7-15

DON’T DO THIS:

I. Treasure in clay jars (v. 7)

II. Afflicted but not crushed (v. 8-9)

III. The death and life of Jesus (v. 10)

IV. Death in us, life in you (v. 11-12)

V. We believe and speak (v. 13)

VI. The one who raised Jesus will raise us (v. 14)

VII. Everything is for your sake (v. 15)

(This simply repeats the words, and shows no structure or flow)

            AND DON'T DO THIS:

I. Treasure in clay jars (v. 7)

        A. Afflicted but not crushed (v. 8-9)

II. The death of Jesus (v 10)

        A. Death in us, life in you (v. 11-12)

                1. We believe and speak (v. 13)

III. The one who raised Jesus will raise us (v. 14)

        A. Everything is for your sake (v. 15)

(Each sub-level is not to be what Paul says next, but a further division of the level
above it. And thus, you cannot have an "A" unless there is also at least a "B", and you
cannot have a "1" unless there is at least a "2".

SOMETHING MORE LIKE THIS:

I. The earthly nature of ministry (vv. 7-12)                     e!xomen ("we have")

A. Source of power (v. 7)

1. The containers do not correspond to the treasure

2. there is a purpose for this: the power is from God

B. Down but not out (vv. 8-9)

C. Ministry is a matter of death and life (vv. 10-12)

1. Jesus’ death marks our lives (v. 10a)

2. Purpose: that Jesus’ life may be revealed in us (v. 10b)

1' We are handed over to death (as Jesus was) (v. 11a)

2'. Purpose: that Jesus’ life may be revealed in us (v. 11b)

3. God works death and life (v. 12) ( wste = conclusion)

II. How do we dare? (vv. 13-15)                             e!xontev ("having")

A. Because  of (participle) faith (v. 13)

B. Because of (participle) the resurrection (v. 14)

C. Because of (ga&r) you (v. 15a)

D. For God’s glory (v. 15b)

 

This outline shows that the text breaks into two parts by the conclusion indicated in
vs 12, and by the repetition of "have" in verses 7 and 13. Furthermore, the entire
text is framed by explicit reference to God in verse 7 and 15 (see under "Pericope"). Verse 7 has incorporated a grammatical decision about the genitive tou~ qeou~
being a genitive of source (see notes on translation). The heading for verses 8-9
attempts to capture some of the play on words that Paul includes in this section
(see notes on "Form and Style"). The layout of the outline also shows the parallels
 between verses 10 and 11 noted under "Form and Style." Finally, translation
decisions regarding the circumstantial participles in vv. 13-14 are indicated.

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