THE PAULINE EPISTLE TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES p 393

Epistle to the Romans.

Introversion.
A
B
C
b
C
b
B
A

1:16. The Gospel. Always revealed: never hidden.

715. Epistolary.
a 1:168:39. Doctrinal.
911. Dispensational.
a 12:115:7. Practical.
813. Dispensational.
15:1416:24. Epistolary.
16:2527. The Mystery. Always hidden: never before revealed.
THE EXPANSION OF B AND B (1:715, and 15:1416:24).
Epistolary.

B c 1:7. Salutation.
d 8, 9. Prayer, etc. (his for them).
e 1013. His journey.
f 14, 15. His ministry.
B
f 15:1521. His ministry.
e 2229. His journey.
d 3033. Prayer, etc. (theirs for him).
c 16:124. Salutation.
The whole of this epistle is marvellously constructed, and the construction is absolutely
essential to its correct interpretation.
It is hardly the design of this work to go too deeply into these structures; but the doctrinal
portion (a |1:168:39) is too important to be passed over.
It is divided into two parts. The first deals with the old nature, and with the fruits of the old
tree. The second deals with the tree itself, and the conflict between the two natures in the
believer.
C. ROMANS 1:168:39.
Doctrine.
It is of the greatest importance to note that the break occurs at the end of chapter 5:11.
Up to that point the question dealt with is sins. From that point it is sin. And, unless this
great distinction be made the doctrine cannot be understood. The two parts, then, stand, as
follows:
a
E

D 1:165:11. SINS. The products of old nature. The fruits of the old tree.
5:128:39. SIN. The old nature. The old tree itself
THE FIRST DIVISION, D (1:165:11). SINS.
The old nature and its fruits.

g 1:16, 17. The power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth Gods Gospel
revealing a righteousness from God.

h
h
g

1:18. The wrath of God revealed against all ungodliness and unrighteousness.
1:193:20. The wrath of God revealed against all ungodliness and unrighteousness.
3:215:11. The power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth Gods Gospel revealing
a righteousness from God.
THE SECOND DIVISION, E (5:128:39). SIN.
The old nature itself, and its conflict with the new nature.

i 5:1221. Condemnation to death through a single sin of one man ( ): but

justification of life through a single righteous act of one man ( ).
k 6:17:6. We are not in sin, having died in Christ.
k 7:725. Sin is in us, though we are alive in Christ.
i 8:139. Condemnation of sin in the flesh, but now NO condemnation to us who are alive unto
God in Christ Jesus and in whom is Christ.
E

THE EXPANSION OF b (ROM. ixxi.).

Dispensational.
A 9:115. Pauls sorrow regarding Israels failure.
B l 613. Gods purpose regarded only a portion.
m 1429. Gods purpose regarded only a remnant.
C n1 9:3033. Israels failure in spite of the Prophets.
n2 10:113. Israels failure in spite of the Law.
n3 1421. Israels failure in spite of the Gospel.
B
m 11:110. Gods purpose regarding the remnant accomplished.
l 1132. God s purpose will ultimately embrace the whole.
A 3336. Pauls joy regarding Gods purpose.
EXPANSION OF a (ROM. 12:115:7).
Practical.
a
p
q
r
r
q
p
o

o 12:1, 2. Personal and individual.

38. Ecclesiastical.
918. Social.
1921. Civil.
13:17. Civil.
814. Social.
14:123. Ecclesiastical.
15:17. Personal and individual.
The First Epistle to the Corinthians.

A
B
b
d
C
C

1:19. Epistolary. Salutation. Introduction.

a 104:16. Ministerial, ecclesiastical and corporal.
c 17. Mission of Timothy.
1821. Visit of Paul.
5, 6. Things reported to Paul.
7, 8. Things enquired of by Paul.

B
b
c
A

915. Ministerial, ecclesiastical and corpora 1.

d 16:19. Visit of Paul.
1018. Mission of Timothy.
1924. Epistolary. Salutation. Conclusion.
a

The Second Epistle to the Corinthians.

Extended Alternation.
A
B
b
C
B
b
C
A

1:1, 2. Salutation.
a 311. Thanksgiving.
12. His ministry.
1:132:13. Epistolary.
a 1417. Thanksgiving.
37:4. His ministry.
513:10. Epistolary.
1114. Salutations.
EXPANSION OF C (1:132:13) and C (7:513:10).
Epistolary.

C D c 13, 14. Present Epistle.

d 152:2. Visit.
g 15, 16. Purpose.
h 172:2. Vindication.
E e i 2:311. Former Epistle.
k 12, 13. No rest in spirit.
f 13. Macedonia. Journey.
C
E e
k 7:57. No rest in flesh.
i 816. Former Epistle.
f 8, 9. Macedonia. Journey.
D
d 1013:1. Visit.
h 10:112:13. Vindication.
g 1413:1. Purpose.
c 210. Present Epistle.
The Epistle to the Galatians.
Complex. Repeated Alternation.
A
B1
b
B2
b
B3

1:15. Epistolary and Salutation.

a 62:14. Apostleship.
154:11. Doctrine.
a 1220. Apostleship.
216:10. Doctrine.
1113. Apostleship.
1415. Doctrine.
1618. Epistolary and Salutation.

The Epistle to the Ephesians.

Introversion.
A
B
B
A

1:1, 2. Epistolary. Salutation.

1:33:21. Doctrinal.
4:16:22. Practical.
23, 24. Epistolary. Salutation.
THE EXPANSION OF B (1:33:21).
Doctrinal.

B
d
b
a
d

a c 1:314. The purpose of God in Himself (1:9) concerning Christ Personal. The
Mystery of God.
1:1523. Prayer to the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, as to c.
2. Ourselves the objects of these purposes and prayers.
c 3:113 The purpose of God in Christ (3:11) concerning Christ Mystical. The Mystery of
Christ (3:4).
3:1421. Prayer to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, as to c.
THE EXPANSION OF b (chap. 2). Alternation.
Ourselves.

b
f
e
f

e 2:13. Past.
410. Present.
11, 12. Past.
1322. Present.
EXPANSION OF B (4:16:22). Alternation.
Practical.

g 4:116. Their walk among themselves as worthy of their calling being members of the One
Body. (Ecclesiastical).
h 4:175:21. Their walk among others. (Spiritual).
g 5:226:9. Their walk among themselves. (Domestic).
h 6:1020. Their walk among others. (Spiritual).
The Epistle to the Philippians.
Introversion.
A
B
C
D
D
C
B
A

1:1, 2. Epistolary. Salutation.

326. Pauls concern for the Philippians.
272:18. The first example: Christ.
1924. The second example: Timothy.
2530. The third example: Epaphroditus.
34:9. The fourth example: Paul.
1020. The Philippians care of Paul.
2123. Epistolary and salutation.

The Epistle to the Colossians.

Introversion.
A
B
C
D
D
C
B
A

1:1, 2. Epistolary, and Salutation.

38. Mutual reports and messages by Epaphras; our dear fellow-servant and your faithful
minister.
92:7. Pauls prayer and concern for the Colossian saints. We pray for you: and that
concerning his preaching of the Mystery.
2:823. Doctrine and Instruction consequent on having died with Christ. Correctional.
3:14:1. Doctrine and Instruction consequent on being risen with Christ. Correctional.
4:26. The Colossians prayer and concern for Paul: praying alway for us: and that
concerning his preaching of the Mystery.
4:79. Mutual reports and messages by Tychicus and Onesimus, beloved brethren.
1018. Epistolary and salutations.
All these may be severally expanded according to their respective structures. We give three
such expansions:
THE EXPANSION OF C (1:92:7).
Pauls prayer and concern for the Colossians.

C
b1
a2
b2
a3
b3
a4

a
1:911. Solicitude that they might be filled with wisdom concerning Christ.
1222. The Mystery revealed. (The wisdom and fulness of Christ).
2325. Solicitude that they might stand fast in the faith.
26, 27. The Mystery declared.
282:2. Solicitude and conflict.
2, 3. The Mystery acknowledged.
47. Solicitude that they might be established in the faith.
THE EXPANSION OF D (2:823). Extended Alternation.
Doctrine and Instruction consequent on having died with Christ.

D c 8. Caution.
d 9, 10. Christ the Head, and His People complete in Him.
e 1115. Ordinances, therefore, done away in Christ.
c 1618. Caution.
d 19. Christ the Head, and His People nourished by Him.
e 2023. Ordinances, therefore, done away in Christ.
THE EXPANSION OF D (3:14:1). Extended Alternation.
Doctrine and Instruction consequent on being risen with Christ.
D f 3:19. The rule of the old man over. Died and risen with Christ.
g 10, 11. The new man put on.
h 1214. Effects seen in the exercise of love as the bond of perfectness.
f 15. The peace of God ruling our hearts. The peace of His presence enjoyed by us as seated with
Christ.
g 16. The word of Christ indwelling.

174:1. Effects manifested in the exercise of love the bond of all domestic relations.
The First Epistle to the Thessalonians.
Complex Introversion.

A
B
b
B
b
A

1:1. EPISTOLARY (Introduction).

a 1:23:10. NARRATION. Thanksgiving and appeal. In four members (alternate).
3:1113. PRAYER, in view of the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
a 4:15:22. EXHORTATION and Instruction. In four members (introverted).
5:2325. PRAYER, in view of the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
5:2628. EPISTOLARY (Conclusion).*
The Second Epistle to the Thessalonians.
Complex Introversion.

A 1:1, 2. Epistolary (shorter).

B a 310. Thanksgiving (longer).
b 11, 12. Prayer (shorter).
c 2:112. Admonition (longer, prophetic and general).
B a 2:1315. Thanksgiving (shorter).
b 163:5. Prayer (longer).
c 615. Admonition (shorter, more immediate and personal.
A 3:1618. Epistolary (longer).
Here, note that most of these members may be expanded. Also that, while they are alternated
throughout, shorter and longer, yet these are so arranged that the shorter prayer corresponds with
the longer prayer, and the longer thanksgiving with the shorter thanksgiving, and so with the
other members.*
We add the structure of the two Epistles of St. Peter:
The First Epistle of Peter.
Complex Introversion.
A
B
C

1:1, 2. EPISTOLARY.
1:312. INTRODUCTION. Thanksgiving; foreshadowing the subject of the Epistle.
a 1:132:10. EXHORTATIONS (GENERAL) in view of THE END, as to Hope in the Fiery
Trial.
b 2:114:6. EXHORTATIONS (PARTICULAR) AS TO SUFFERINGS AND GLORY.
*

For the further structure of all these various members see pages 370, 371. Also The Structure of the
Two Epistles to the Thessalonians by the same author and publisher.
*

For the structure of particular portions of these Epistles, and expansions of the various members, see
the series of articles commencing in Things to Come for Sept., 1898.

For the expansion of these various members, see The Spirits in Prison, by the same author and
publisher.

C
b
B
A

a 4:719. EXHORTATIONS (GENERAL) in view of THE END, as to Joy in the Fiery Trial.
5:19. EXHORTATIONS (PARTICULAR) AS TO SUFFERINGS AND GLORY.
5:10, 11. CONCLUSION. Prayer; embodying the object of the Epistle.
5:1214. EPISTOLARY.
The Second Epistle of Peter.
Complex Introversion.

A
B
b
a
b
C
d
g
e
C
d
f
e
B
i
h
i
A

1:14. EPISTOLARY. Grace and knowledge to be increased. Divine gift (3). God and Saviour (
1).
a 1:57. EXHORTATION (second person, plural imperative, with participle preceding).
Diligence. Positive, to acquire every grace.
1:8, 9. TWO REASONS. . Ample supply, ample fruit. Wilful ignorance and
spiritual darkness.
1:10. EXHORTATION. Wherefore brethren. : Diligence, sure.
110, 11. TWO REASONS. . These things.
c 1:1215. Peter.
f 1:1618. Apostles.
1921. Prophets.
2:122. The wicked.
c 3:1. Peter.
g 3:2. Prophets.
2. Apostles.
3:313. The wicked.
h 3:1416. EXHORTATION. Wherefore () beloved.
And REASON. Seeing ye look, etc.
3:17. EXHORTATION. Therefore beloved.
And REASON. Seeing ye know etc.
3:18. EPISTOLARY. Grace and knowledge to be increased. Traced to Divine glory. Lord and
Saviour.
It will be noted that the Epistle as a whole is an introversion of six members. While B and B
are a simple alternation, and C and C an extended alternation, with which another inner
introversion is combined.
1

Bullinger, E. W. (1898). Figures of speech used in the Bible (385). London; New York: Eyre &
Spottiswoode; E. & J. B. Young & Co.