KEVIN D. ZUBER
OUTLINE
Introduction
I. Paul’s Greeting to the Thessalonians (1:1)
II. Paul’s Thanksgiving for the Thessalonians (1:2-10)
A. Thankfulness in Prayer and Remembrance (1:2-3a)
B. Thankfulness in Knowledge (1:3b-10)
1. Knowledge of God’s Choice of the Thessalonians (1:3b-5)
2. Knowledge of the Thessalonians’ Imitation of Paul (1:6-7)
3. Knowledge of the Thessalonians’ Spread of the Gospel (1:8-9)
4. Knowledge of the Thessalonians’ Waiting for Jesus (1:10)
III. Paul’s Ministry among the Thessalonians (2:1-16)
A. Purity in Paul’s Motives (2:1-6)
1. Boldness in the Midst of Opposition (2:1-2)
2. Purity in the Midst of Ministry (2:3-6)
B. Purity in Paul’s Emotions: Gentleness and Affection (2:7-8)
C. Purity in Paul’s Life (2:9-12)
1. Paul Worked Hard Not to Burden Them (2:9-10)
2. Paul Taught Clearly in Order to Help Them (2:11-12)
D. Purity in Paul’s Teaching (2:13-16)
1. The Word Shaped These Believers (2:13)
2. The Word Condemns Unbelievers (2:14-16)
IV. Paul’s Concern for the Thessalonians (2:17–3:13)
A. Paul’s Separation from Them (2:17-20)
B. Paul’s Sacrifice for Them: Sending Timothy (3:1-5)
C. Paul’s Delight Over Them (3:6-10)
D. Paul’s Instructions to Them (3:11-13)
V. Paul’s Firm Exhortations to the Thessalonians (4:1-12)
A. Introduction to the Exhortations (4:1-2)
B. Content of the Exhortations (4:3-12)
1. Be Pure in Sexual Practices (4:3-8)
2. Be Tender in Serving Others (4:9-10)
3. Be Diligent in Personal Affairs (4:11-12)
VI. Paul’s Encouragement for the Thessalonians in Eschatology (4:13–5:11)
A. Be Encouraged about Deceased Believers (4:13-18)
1. Promise of the Resurrection at the Rapture of the Church (4:13-14)
2. Order of the Resurrection at the Rapture of the Church (4:15-17)
3. Comfort from the Resurrection at the Rapture of the Church (4:18)
B. Be Encouraged about Escaping the Day of the Lord (5:1-11)
VII. Paul’s Exhortations for Sensible, Spiritual Living (5:12-22)
A. Their Relationships with Church Leaders (5:12-13)
B. Their Relationships with Christian Friends (5:14-15)
C. Their Attitudes toward Those Who Persecute (5:16-18)
D. Their Relationship with the Holy Spirit: Do Not Quench the Spirit (5:19-22)
VIII. Paul’s Closing Words to the Thessalonians (5:23-28)
A. A Prayer for the Thessalonians (5:23-24)
B. Instructions to the Thessalonians (5:25-28)