Chiasmus in the Pauline Letters

Chiasmus in the Pauline Letters is a new attempt to bring a degree of academic rigour to an area of NT study that has become somewhat notorious for its subjectivity. Focussing on chiasms of intermediate length, it is suggested that they may be used as a compositional technique. The inquiry works within defined parameters and constraints, and proposes a methodology whereby a chiasmus is first identified through as many syntactical and other formal concepts as possible. The chiasmus is then shown to be well-founded by examining the relationship of ideas within it through interaction with a range of other exegetical studies and commentaries. The procedure is illustrated by five examples presented in detail from the Greek text of the Pauline letters. It is suggested that, once the presence of a chiasmus has been reasonably established, new exegetical insights can be gained. These arise from the way that the chiasmus points to the Pauline author's focus of thought, and from seeing how an argument is built up or a case made. It is argued that a proper appreciation of chiasmus of this length leads to the exegete's gaining another potentially significant tool.