Chiasmus in the Pauline Letters     by Ian H. Thomson The author is pastor of the Dunrossness Baptist Church in Shetland. Hardcover, 258 pgs. Sheffield Academic Press, 1995 Order from Barnes & Noble!

Author's Comments

The main purpose of this study is to show how the identification and analysis of chiasmus in the Pauline letters is a far more valuable and precise tool in the exegete's hands than many have previously realized.  However, some of the earlier work in this whole filed has left an unfortunate legacy that makes it essential to approach it very carefully indeed.

Thus, until recently, the perception has been widespread that the study of chiasmus in the New Testament is little more than the esoteric pursuit of a few enthusiasts, whose exuberance in the 'discovery' of chiasmus of astonishing complexity in almost every page of the New Testament seems to know no limits.  It is not surprising that this has provoked an often justifiable backlash of scholarly skepticism among the more cautious, who feel that many such chiastic patters tell us more about the ingenuity of the commentator than about the intention of the original author.

The result has been a regrettable obscuring of the fact that the study of chiasmus has a legitimate, but often underrated, place in the field of New Testament rhetorical analysis in general, and in the Pauline litters in particular.  Of paramount importance, therefore, is the discipline of working within defined parameters and using objective controls.  With these in position, it is possible to propose a reasonable methodology for the identification of chiasmus, and for its subsequent use in exegesis.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments, 9
Abbreviations, 10

Chapter 1
MATTERS OF BACKGROUND AND ISSUES OF METHODOLOGY

1.1  Introduction, 13
1.2  The Classical and Semitic Background of Chiasmus, 14
1.3  Paul and the Cultural Context of Chiasmus, 18
1.4  Methodological Questions in the Identification of Chiasmus, 22
1.5  The Functions of Chiasmus, 34
1.6  The Use of Chiasmus in Exegesis, 41
1.7.  Conclusion 44

Chapter 2
EPHESIANS 1.3-14: A NEW APPROACH TO AN OLD PROBLEM

2.1  Introduction, 46
2.2  Some Attempted Solutions to the Problem of the Structural
       Analysis of Ephesians 1.3-14, 48
2.3  Grammatical Patterns in Ephesians 1.3-10, 51
2.4  Further Investigation of the Chiasmus within Ephesians 1.3-10, 56
2.5  The Structure and Function of Ephesians 1.11-14, 69
2.6  The Use of the Chiasmus in the Remainder of Ephesians, 80
2.7  A Possible Sitz im Leben for the Chiasmus, 82
2.8  Conclusion, 83

Chapter 3
EPHESIANS 2.11-22: A CHOICE OF CHIASTIC PATTERNS

3.1  A Further Passage Containing 'Hymnic Traits', 84
3.2  Earlier Attempts at Identifying Chiasmus in
      Ephesians 2.11-22, 86
3.3  Further Investigation of the Chiasmus in Ephesians 2.11-22, 92
3.4  The Chiasms of 1.3-10 and 2.11-22 in their Wider Context
       in Ephesians, 110
3.5  Conclusion, 115

Chapter 4
GALATIANS 5.13--6.2: WARNING OR APPEAL?

4.1  Introduction, 116
4.2  A Possible Chiasmus in Galatians 5.13--6.2, 117
4.3  Exegesis of the Suggested Chiasmus, 121
4.4  Paul's Purpose in Writing Galatians 5.13--6.2:
      Warning or Appeal, 142
4.5  The Integrity of the Chiasmus and its Setting in the Wider
       Context of Galatians, 144

Chapter 5
COLOSSIANS 2.6-19: A KEY PASSAGE IN A COMPLEX LETTER

5.1  Introduction, 152
5.2  The Chiastic Outline of Colossians 2.6-19, 153
5.3  A More Detailed Exegesis of the Chiasmus, 157
5.4  Colossians 2.6-19 in its Wider Context in the Letter, 177
5.5  The Colossian 'Heresy', 181
5.6  Conclusion, 184

Chapter 6
ROMANS 5.12-21: A PASSAGE OF CONTRASTS

6.1  Introduction, 186
6.2  A Hypothetical Chiastic Pattern for Romans 5.12-21, 189
6.3  The Exegesis of the Hypothetical Chiasmus:
       From Centre to Periphery, 192
6.4  The Sequential Progress of Paul's Thought
       in Romans 5.12-21, 205
6.5  Conclusion, 212

Chapter 7
CONCLUSIONS

7.1  Conclusions in Relation to Methodology, 213
7.2  Review of the Functions of Chiasmus, 230
7.3  Chiasmus and Exegesis, 223
7.4  Chiasmus and Hymns, 226
7.5  Further Avenues for Exploration of Chiasmus in the
      Pauline Letters, 230

Appendix, 233

Bibliography, 238
Index of Biblical References, 245
Index of Authors, 251