1. Introduction  ( 1:1⁠–⁠14 )

a. Greetings from Paul and Timothy  ( 1:1⁠–⁠2 )

b. Thanksgiving and Prayer  ( 1:3⁠–⁠14 )

2. The Supremacy of the Son  ( 1:15⁠–⁠23 )

3. The Suffering Apostle  ( 1:24⁠–⁠2:5 )

a. Paul’s Suffering for the Church  ( 1:24⁠–⁠29 )

b. Absent in Body, Present in Spirit  ( 2:1⁠–⁠5 )

4. Alive with Christ  ( 2:6⁠–⁠23 )

a. Warning against False Philosophy  ( 2:6⁠–⁠15 )

b. Reject False Teachers  ( 2:16⁠–⁠23 )

5. Rules for Holy Living  ( 3:1⁠–⁠4:6 )

a. Put on the New Self  ( 3:1⁠–⁠17 )

b. Christian Households  ( 3:18⁠–⁠21 )

c. Serving with Honor  ( 3:22⁠–⁠25 )

d. Prayerful Speech and Actions  ( 4:1⁠–⁠6 )

6. Final Greetings  ( 4:7⁠–⁠18 )

a. Greetings from Paul’s Fellow Workers  ( 4:7⁠–⁠14 )

b. Signature and Final Instructions  ( 4:15⁠–⁠18 )