Paul’s Epistle to the Romans:

Paul’s Epistle to the Romans: Ada Bible Church, September 26, 2019 The Moody Bible Institute of Chicago

Bible Study Methods III:Sentence Diagramming

Steps for Sentence Diagramming Step I: Break the sentence into its component parts Step II: Identify the independent clause(s) Step III: Indent each logically dependent clause in from the clause on which it is dependent Step IV: Define the relationships between clauses Step V: Draw conclusions

Step I: Break the Sentence intoIts Component Parts

What Do We Mean “Component Parts”? Independent Clause: A phrase containing both a subject and a verb and which can stand alone as a complete sentence Dependent Clause: A phrase containing both a subject and a verb but which cannot stand alone as a complete sentence Prepositional Phrase: A phrase consisting of a preposition and its object

There Is Good News! The value of the exercise does not depend on whether you divide up the clauses according to proper English grammar! (Greek grammar is different from English grammar, anyway!) The point is that you think through the logical relationships in the entire passage that you are studying with this method.

Romans 13:1–2 [1] Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. [2] Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.

Romans 13:1–2 [1a] Let every person be subject [1b] to the governing authorities. [1c] For there is no authority [1d] except from God, [1e] and those that exist have been instituted by God. [2a] Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, [2b] and those who resist will incur judgment.

Step II: Identify the Independent Clause(s)

Step III: Indent Each Logically Dependent Clauses in from the Clause on which It Is Dependent

Step IV: Define the Relationships between Clauses

Romans 13:1–2 Main Statement [1a] Let every person be subject [1b] to the governing authorities. [1c] For there is no authority [1d] except from God, [1e] and those that exist have been instituted by God. [2a] Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, [2b] and those who resist will incur judgment. Main Statement

Romans 13:1–2 Main Statement [1a] Let every person be subject [1b] to the governing authorities. [1c] For there is no authority [1d] except from God, [1e] and those that exist have been instituted by God. [2a] Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, [2b] and those who resist will incur judgment. Reason for 1b Exception to 1c Addition to 1c Main Statement

Romans 13:1–2 Main Statement [1a] Let every person be subject [1b] to the governing authorities. [1c] For there is no authority [1d] except from God, [1e] and those that exist have been instituted by God. [2a] Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, [2b] and those who resist will incur judgment. Indirect Object of 1a Reason for 1b Exception to 1c Addition to 1c Main Statement Corollary to 2a

Step V: Draw Conclusions

Conclusions from Sentence Diagram of Romans 12:1–2 • Paul has two main ideas, positively stated in 1a and negatively stated in 2a

Romans 13:1–2 Main Statement [1a]Let every person be subject [1b] to the governing authorities. [1c] For there is no authority [1d] except from God, [1e] and those that exist have been instituted by God. [2a]Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, [2b] and those who resist will incur judgment. Indirect Object of 1a Reason for 1b Exception to 1c Addition to 1c Main Statement Corollary to 2a

Conclusions from Sentence Diagram of Romans 12:1–2 • Paul has two main ideas, positively stated in 1a and negatively stated in 2a • The straightforwardness of the structure reinforces the unambiguous nature of Paul’s teaching

Romans 13:1–2 Main Statement [1a] Let every person be subject [1b] to the governing authorities. [1c] For there is no authority [1d] except from God, [1e] and those that exist have been instituted by God. [2a] Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, [2b] and those who resist will incur judgment. Indirect Object of 1a Reason for 1b Exception to 1c Addition to 1c Main Statement Corollary to 2a

Conclusions from Sentence Diagram of Romans 12:1–2 • Paul has two main ideas, positively stated in 1a and negatively stated in 2a • The straightforwardness of the structure reinforces the unambiguous nature of Paul’s teaching • God stands behind the authority of human governments

Exercises

Exercise A (5 Minutes):Break the Sentences into Component Parts Romans 15:1–2 (ESV) “[1] We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. [2] Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.”

Exercise A (Answer Key):Break the Sentences into Component Parts Romans 15:1–2 (ESV) [1a] We who are strong have an obligation to bear [1b] with the failings of the weak, [1c] and not to please ourselves. [2a] Let each of us please his neighbor [2b] for his good, [2c] to build him up.

Exercise B (5 Minutes):Break the Sentences into Component Parts Romans 4:9–10 (ESV) “[9] Is this blessing then only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? For we say that faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness. [10] How then was it counted to him? Was it before or after he had been circumcised? It was not after, but before he was circumcised.”

Exercise B (Answer Key):Break the Sentences into Component Parts Romans 4:9–10 (ESV) [9a] Is this blessing then only for the circumcised, [9b] or also for the uncircumcised? [9c] For we say [9d] that faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness. [10a] How then was it counted to him? [10b] Was it before or after he had been circumcised? [10c] It was not after, [10d] but before he was circumcised.”

ExampleIdentify the Independent Clause(s) Romans 11:22 (ESV) “[22] Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off.”

Example (Answer Key)Identify the Independent Clause(s) Romans 11:22 (ESV) “[22] Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off.”

ExampleIdentify the Independent Clause(s) Romans 1:1–7 (ESV) “[1] Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, [2] which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, [3] concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh [4] and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, [5] through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, [6] including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ, [7] To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Example (Answer Key)Identify the Independent Clause(s) Romans 1:22 (ESV) “[1] Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, [2] which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, [3] concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh [4] and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, [5] through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, [6] including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ, [7] To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Exercise C (5 Minutes):Identify the Independent Clause(s) Romans 2:14–16 (ESV) “[14] For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. [15] They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them [16] on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.”

Exercise C (Answer Key):Identify the Independent Clause(s) Romans 2:14–16 (ESV) “[14] For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. [15]They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them [16] on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.”

Exercise D (5 Minutes)Indent Each Logically Dependent Clause Romans 11:22 (ESV) [22a] Note then the kindness and the severity of God: [22b] severity toward those who have fallen, [22c] but God’s kindness to you, [22d] provided you continue in his kindness. [22e] Otherwise you too will be cut off.

Exercise D (Answer Key)Indent Each Logically Dependent Clause Romans 11:22 (ESV) [22a] Note then the kindness and the severity of God: [22b] severity toward those who have fallen, [22c] but God’s kindness to you, [22d] provided you continue in his kindness. [22e] Otherwise you too will be cut off.

ExampleIndent Each Logically Dependent Clause Romans 4:9–10 (ESV) [9a] Is this blessing then only for the circumcised, [9b] or also for the uncircumcised? [9c] For we say [9d] that faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness. [10a] How then was it counted to him? [10b] Was it before or after he had been circumcised? [10c] It was not after, [10d] but before he was circumcised.”

Paul’s Epistle to the Romans: