I. Salutation and greeting 1:1
II. Personal commendations and explanations 1:2-3:13
A. Thanksgiving for the Thessalonians 1:2-10
1. Summary statement 1:2-3
2. Specific reasons 1:4-10
B. Reminders for the Thessalonians 2:1-16
1. How the gospel was delivered 2:1-12
2. How the gospel was received 2:13-16
C. Concerns for the Thessalonians 2:17-3:13
1. Desires to see them again 2:17-3:5
2. Joy on hearing about them 3:6-13
III. Practical instructions and exhortations 4:1-5:24
A. Christian living 4:1-12
1. Continued growth 4:1-2
2. Sexual purity 4:3-8
3. Brotherly love 4:9-12
B. The Rapture 4:13-18
C. Personal watchfulness 5:1-11
D. Church life 5:12-15
1. Attitudes toward leaders 5:12-13
2. Relationships among themselves 5:14-15
E. Individual behavior 5:16-24
1. Personal actions and attitudes 5:16-18
2. Actions and attitudes in corporate living 5:19-22
3. Divine enablement 5:23-24
IV. Conclusion 5:25-28
