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.
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE
Moral Certitude and the Iran War
The current military engagement with Iran calls renewed attention to just war theory in the Catholic tradition.…
The Slow Death of England: New and Notable Books
The fate of England is much in the news as popular resistance to mass immigration grows, limits…
Ethics of Rhetoric in Times of War
What we say matters. And the way we say it matters. This is especially true in times…
