21.0

2 Thessalonians: Outline of Contents

I. Salutation (1:1–2)

II. Thanksgiving for the Thessalonians’ faith and example (1:3–4)

III. Main body of the letter (1:5–2:12)

A. Introduction of the theme: the Second Coming of Christ (1:5–12)

B. Refutation of a rumor that the day of the Lord has already come (2:1–12)

IV. Closing (2:13–3:5)

A. Final exhortations (2:13–15)

B. Blessing (2:16–17)

C. Request for prayer (3:1–5)

V. Excursus: Admonition of idleness within the community (3:6–15)

VI. Closing resumed (3:16–18)

A. Blessing (3:16)

B. Greeting and signature (3:17)

C. Benediction (3:18)

Courtesy of HarperCollins Bible Dictionary, ed. Mark Allan Powell (New York: HarperCollins, 2011), 1036.