Outline of II Thessalonians

John Hatcher
Pastor, Emmanuel Baptist Church, Evansville, Indiana

1. Salutation (II Thessalonians 1:1-2).   Written shortly after I Thessalonians, Paul may have received the report of the bearer of the first letter and then wrote this second epistle.   Paul was in Corinth for about 1 1/2 years, and both epistles to the Thessalonians were written from Corinth during this period.
   
    
2. Thanksgiving (1:3-12).
   1. Because it is right (1:3).
   2. Because your faith grows exceedingly (1:3).
   3. Because of your abounding love (1:3).
   4. Because of exemplary endurance (1:4).
   5. Because of heavenly viewpoint (1:5-10).
   6. Accompanied by requests (1:11-12).
      1. For the fulfillment of God’s pleasure.
      2. For the glorification of Christ in them.
      3. For the glorification of them in Christ.
   
   
3. Teaching on coming of Christ (2:1-17).
   1. Caution advised (2:1-2).
   2. Prerequisites set forth (2:3-5).
   3. Restraining by Holy Spirit (2:6-7).
   4. Condemnation of rejectors (2:8-12).
   5. Glorification of believers (2:13-14).
   6. Challenge to obedience (2:15).
   7. Prayer for present consolation and strength by God who has already provided everlasting consolation and good hope through grace.
   
   
4. Final words (3:1-15).
   1. Request for Prayer (3:1-2).
      1. For the success of the Gospel.
      2. For protection from wicked men.
   2. Expression of confidence in the Lord (3:3-4).
      1. Will establish and guard you.
      2. Does and will motivate you to obedience.
   3. Prayer for direction of their hearts in (3:5).
      1. Love of God.
      2. Patience of Christ.
   4. Specific need addressed (3:6-15).         
      1. The need for church discipline.
      2. The example and teaching on work.
      3. Problem.
      4. Exhortation.
      5. Accountability of the church.
   
   
5. Benediction and final salvation (3:16-18).
   1. Points to ponder:
      1. Both epistles present a balance between rest in the Lord and work for the Lord.   We would do well to take note.
      2. Notice the ratio and pattern between encouragement and exhortation (comfort and commands).   The encouragement, praise portions precede and are much more lengthy than the corrective command portions.   This is true in most of the church epistles.   We should strive for a similar balance and presentation in our leadership.
      3. The word tribulation is used often in these letters as well as in many other New Testament Scriptures.   It is the opinion of this pastor that modern day eschatologists have ignored history and the use of tribulation in the New Testament and have found a lot of politics, time, and conversions following the rapture that are hardly defensible