Literary Context

• 1:1— Greeting

• 1:2-3:13- Paul and the church in Thessalonica
• 1:2-10- Paul’s thankfulness for the faithfulness of the Thessalonians
• 2:1-12- The example of Paul’s ministry while in the city of Thessalonica
• 2:13-16- Paul reaffirms his thankfulness for the Thessalonian church
• 2:17-20- Paul’s desire to see the Thessalonians
• 3:1-5- Timothy’s trip to encourage the Thessalonian church
• 3:6-10- Paul’s encouragement because of Timothy’s good report
• 3:11-13- Paul’s prayer for the Thessalonian church.

• 4:1-5:22- Exhortations for holy living
• 4:1-8- Paul exhorts the Thessalonians toward for sexual purity
• 4:9-10- Paul exhorts the Thessalonians to abound in brotherly love
• 4:11-12- Paul exhorts the Thessalonians to hard work
• 4:13-18- Paul exhorts the Thessalonians to have hope in the face of death
• 5:1-11- Paul exhorts the Thessalonians to live holy lives in light of Christ’s return
• 5:12-22- General exhortations toward holy living

• 5:23-28- Closing
• 5:23-24- Benediction
• 5:25-27- Concluding exhortations
• 5:28- Closing remark

The Literary Setting of 1 Thessalongians 5:12-13

1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 falls within a series of general exhortations on holy living. These are general exhortations, that while they might be framed specifically for the Thessalonian church, they are applicable to the church at large.