Chapters 1 – 4 focus on right standing with God (“righteousness,” “justification”), and chapters  5 – 8 describe the benefits that those who have attained this right standing enjoy. Paul’s argument in chs. 5–8 follows a general chiastic pattern (a-b-c / c´-b´-a´).

“Chiastic pattern” is a new term for me. Here is what it means:

A chiasm follows the pattern:

A – B – C / C´ – B´ – A´

The first half moves forward; the second half mirrors it in reverse order, deepening and resolving what came before.

Here’s how Romans 5–8 fits that pattern.

A — Romans 5: Justification and Peace with God (New Status in Adam/Christ)

B — Romans 6: Freedom from Sin (New Master)

C — Romans 7: The Law and the Struggle

and then, the chiastic “mirror”:

C´ — Romans 8:1–11: The Spirit Does What the Law Could Not

B´ — Romans 8:12–17: Freedom from Slavery (Now to Fear and Death)

A´ — Romans 8:18–39: Final Glory and Complete Security

This chiastic pattern will be our outline as we move into the next segment of this letter, chapters 5-8.

Here is the Video link:

Episode 27 – Essays in Romans… Intro to chapters 5-8

Here is the Spotify link:

Episode 27 – Essays in Romans… Intro to chapters 5-8

In His Grip,

Paige