1 Thessalonians can be a confusing book to follow and reading it through in one sitting would be challenge to understand and pick up the different elements in the book. So I wanted to give an outline today of this book to help us understand it a little better.
I. Prescript (1:1)
1. Authors and Addressees (1:1a)
2. Greeting (1:1b)
II. Thanksgiving and Hope (1:2–3:13)
1. Introduction (1:2–10)
(1) The Thanksgiving (1:2–5)
(2) An Affirmation (1:6–10)
2. Apostolic Character while in Thessalonica Rehearsed (2:1–12)
(1) Denials (2:1–6)
(2) Affirmations (2:7–12)
3. Thanksgiving for Perseverance in the Gospel (2:13–16)
(1) Thanksgiving (2:13)
(2) Affirmation (2:14–16)
4. Apostolic Activities after Leaving Thessalonica Rehearsed (2:17–3:8)
(1) Expressions of Concern (2:17–3:5)
(2) Timothy’s Report Received (3:6–8)
5. Thanksgiving and Intercessory Prayer (3:9–13)
(1) Thanksgiving (3:9–10)
(2) Prayer (3:11–13)
III. Ethical Exhortations (4:1–5:22)
1. Introductory Call to Obedience (4:1–2)
2. Exhortations Regarding Sanctification (4:3–8)
3. Exhortations Regarding Brotherly Love (4:9–12)
4. Exhortations Regarding the Dead (4:13–18)
5. Exhortations Regarding Times and Seasons (5:1–11)
(1) Introduction (5:1)
(2) The Manner of the Lord’s Return (5:2–3)
(3) The Christian Life Anticipating the Return (5:4–11)
6. Exhortations Regarding Life in the Fellowship (5:12–22)
(1) Leaders and Followers (5:12–13)
(2) The Weak and the Strong (5:14–15)
(3) Optimists and Pessimists (5:16–18)
(4) The Cynical and the Gullible (5:19–22)
IV. Benediction and Conclusion (5:23–28)
1. Benediction (5:23–24)
2. Concluding Exhortations (5:25–27)
3. Epistolary Conclusion (5:28)
I. Prescript (1:1)
1. Authors and Addressees (1:1a)
2. Greeting (1:1b)
II. Thanksgiving and Hope (1:2–3:13)
1. Introduction (1:2–10)
(1) The Thanksgiving (1:2–5)
(2) An Affirmation (1:6–10)
2. Apostolic Character while in Thessalonica Rehearsed (2:1–12)
(1) Denials (2:1–6)
(2) Affirmations (2:7–12)
3. Thanksgiving for Perseverance in the Gospel (2:13–16)
(1) Thanksgiving (2:13)
(2) Affirmation (2:14–16)
4. Apostolic Activities after Leaving Thessalonica Rehearsed (2:17–3:8)
(1) Expressions of Concern (2:17–3:5)
(2) Timothy’s Report Received (3:6–8)
5. Thanksgiving and Intercessory Prayer (3:9–13)
(1) Thanksgiving (3:9–10)
(2) Prayer (3:11–13)
III. Ethical Exhortations (4:1–5:22)
1. Introductory Call to Obedience (4:1–2)
2. Exhortations Regarding Sanctification (4:3–8)
3. Exhortations Regarding Brotherly Love (4:9–12)
4. Exhortations Regarding the Dead (4:13–18)
5. Exhortations Regarding Times and Seasons (5:1–11)
(1) Introduction (5:1)
(2) The Manner of the Lord’s Return (5:2–3)
(3) The Christian Life Anticipating the Return (5:4–11)
6. Exhortations Regarding Life in the Fellowship (5:12–22)
(1) Leaders and Followers (5:12–13)
(2) The Weak and the Strong (5:14–15)
(3) Optimists and Pessimists (5:16–18)
(4) The Cynical and the Gullible (5:19–22)
IV. Benediction and Conclusion (5:23–28)
1. Benediction (5:23–24)
2. Concluding Exhortations (5:25–27)
3. Epistolary Conclusion (5:28)