| Former half | Relation | Latter half |
| 1 Salutation (1:1-2) grace to you and peace from God (our) Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (1:2) | Salutation | 5 Final greetings and benediction (3:16-18) The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you. (3:18) |
| 2 The judgment at Christ's coming (1:3-12) Accordingly, we ourselves boast of you in the churches of God regarding your endurance and faith in all your persecutions and the afflictions you endure. (1:4) | Endurance in suffering | 4 Request for prayer (3:1-15) May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the endurance of Christ. (3:5) |
| Former half | Relation | Latter half |
| 1 Salutation (1:1-2) grace to you and peace from God (our) Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (1:2) | Grace of God | 3 The man of lawlessness (2:1-17) May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting encouragement and good hope through his grace, (2:16) |
| Former half | Relation | Latter half |
| 3 The man of lawlessness (2:1-17) encourage your hearts and strengthen them in every good deed and word. (2:17) | Prayer for the Congregation | 5 Final greetings and benediction (3:16-18) May the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you. (3:16) |