Structure of Romans 1:16ff.

Peter J. Leithart, October 28, 2003

Jouette Bassler's 1984 article "Divine Impartiality in Romans" (Novum Testamentum) present structural arguments for saying that the section beginning in Rom 1:16-18 runs through the middle of chapter 2. This is evident from the repetition of the verb prasso in 1:32 and again in 2:1-3; thus the center of this section has a cluster of uses of this verb. Bassler shows, in addition, that the section is framed by significant repetitions, which fall out generally as follows:

A. 1:16: to the Jew and also to the Greek
B. 1:18: revelation, wrath
C. 1:18: against all ungodliness of men
D. 1:18: wrath, unrighteousness, truth
E. 1:20: without excuse

E'. 2:1: without excuse
B'. 2:5: revelation, wrath
D'. 2:8: truth, unrighteousness, wrath
C'. 2:9: to every soul of man
A'. 2:10: to the Jew and also to the Greek

Her larger argument is that the key theme holding this whole section together is the principle stated in 2:11, that there is no partiality with God. There's more here, but enough for the moment.