I. Thanksgiving for the Thessalonians' salvation 1:1-10
II. Paul's defense of his ministry in Thessalonica 2:1-12
A. His integrity in his ministry 2:1-4
B. His selfless and loving ministry 2:5-9
C. His blameless behavior 2:10-12
III. Prayer for spiritual growth 2:13-3:13
A. His concern for their suffering 2:13-16
B. His earnest desire to see them 2:17-20
C. His expression of love through Timothy 3:1-8
D. His prayer 3:9-13
IV. Paul's exhortation for their sanctification 4:1-12
A. His command that they abstain from sexual immorality 4:1-8
B. His exhortation to brotherly love rather than sexual
impurity 4:9,10
C. His exhortation to proper Christian living 4:11,12
V. The return of Christ 4:13-18
VI. The day of the Lord 5:1-11
VII. Paul's concluding exhortations 5:12-28
