Sample structural outline – Romans 13, NRSV
I. Command (verse 1): Let every person be subject to the governing authorities
II. Reasons, introduced by gar (for)[1]
A. Theological reason
1. negatively stated: for there is no authority except from God,
2. positively stated: those authorities that exist have been instituted by God.
3. Consequences, introduced by “therefore” (verse 2)
a. Theological: whoever resists authority resists what God has appointed,
b. Practical: and those who resist will incur judgment.
B. Practical reason (v. 3)
1. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad.
2. Consequence, presented as question and answer
a. Question: Do you wish to have no fear of the authority?
b. Answer: Command: Then do what is good,
i) Consequence: and you will receive its approval;
ii) Reason (v. 4): for it is God's servant for your good.
c. Negatively stated
i) Condition: But if you do what is wrong,
ii) Consequence: you should be afraid,
a) Reason, negatively stated: for the authority does not bear the sword in vain!
b) Reason, positively stated: It is the servant of God to execute wrath on the wrongdoer.
III. Conclusions (starting in v. 5):
A. Stated as a philosophical necessity (dei): Therefore one must be subject,
1. Practical, negative reason: not only because of wrath (cf. judgment, v. 2)
2. Theological, positive reason: but also because of conscience.
B. As a statement: you also pay taxes, (in Greek this could be a command)
1. First reason: For the same reason (i.e., the above argument)
2. Second reason: for the authorities are God's servants, busy with this very thing. (presumably doing the job described in v. 4)
C. As a command
1. General statement: Pay to all what is due them (v. 7)
2. Specific examples
a. taxes to whom taxes are due,
b. revenue to whom revenue is due,
c. respect to whom respect is due,
d. honor to whom honor is due.
[1] Gar appears seven times in seven verses; this is a tightly structured argument.