Outline of First Thessalonians
I. Address (1:1)
II. Thanksgiving (1:2–3:13)
A. The Thessalonians’ Reception of the Gospel (1:2–10)
B. The Apostles’ Behavior in Thessalonica (2:1–12)
C. Second Thanksgiving for Enduring Opposition (2:13–16)
D. Timothy’s Good Report (2:17–3:10)
E. Transitional Prayer (3:11–13)
III. Exhortation (4:1–5:22)
A. Introduction (4:1–2)
B. Fornication (4:3–8)
C. Brotherly Love and Manual Labor (4:9–12)
D. The Fate of Dead Christians and the Return of the Lord (4:13–18)
E. The Suddenness of the Lord’s Coming (5:1–11)
F. Final Admonitions (5:12–22)
IV. Conclusion (5:23–28)
Outline of Second Thessalonians
I. Address (1:1–2)
II. Thanksgiving and Exhortation (1:3–3:5)
A. Justice for Persecutors and Their Victims (1:3–12)
B. Events Preceding the Day of the Lord (2:1–12)
C. Second Thanksgiving (2:13–17)
D. Prayer for the Apostles and the Thessalonians (3:1–5)
III. Commands Regarding Work (3:6–15)
A. The Disorderly Idle (3:6–12)
B. Instructions for Everyone Else (3:13–15)
IV. Conclusion (3:16–18)