outline of 1 Thessalonians

1.  Salutation (1:1)

2.  History (1:2-3:13)

1. Paul's Grounds for Thanksgiving (1:2-2:16)

   1.  Their Election Shown in Faith, Love, and Hope (1:2-10)
   2.  The Missionaries' Fruitful Ministry Among Them (2:1-12)
   3.  Their Reception of the Gospel as the Word of God (2:13-16)

2. Paul's Absence Explained (2:17-3:10)
3. Paul's Prayer (3:11-13)

3.  Instruction (4:1-5:22)

1. Ethics (4:1-12)

   1.  Sexual Morality (4:1-8)
   2.  Brotherly Love and Witness (4:9-12)

2. Eschatology (4:13-5:11)

   1.  The Dead (4:13-18)
   2.  The Day of the Lord (5:1-11)

3. Congregational Life (5:12-22)

4.  Concluding Prayer, Charges, and Benediction (5:23-28)