A chiasm or chiastic structure is in many types of ancient literature, including Scripture. It is an organizational structure within the arrangement of words that is satisfying to the reader by its poetic mirroring of ideas that hinge at some point in its passage. For instance, a non-scriptural example could be “Home is where the great are small and the small are great.” A Scriptural example can be found in Psalm 18:20, “The Lord has dealt with me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands he has rewarded me.” In both questions a mirroring of ideas presents a clear and fulfilling presentation of words that cause the reader to achieve understanding in a clever and memorable way.
It seems to be a popular study by advanced scholars in Seminary programs; especially those preparing their attempts for unique thesis as they embark on their journey to achieve doctorial recognition. It is not rare to find many different chiastic structures in the Bible, and scholars seem to have little difficulty in finding new ones that have yet been fully explored in religious realms.
Chiasms are enlightening; when Bible portions are studied through this structured organization, more understanding of the connected verses become known. The emotional connection of finding and identifying Chiasms within Scripture is a bit similar to the connection that Professional Theologists make with symbology and typology revelations in their deeper studies. There is just something supernatural about finding the depth of God’s Truth through the process of recognizing an ordered presentation that mirrors ideas so perfectly, that depth of understanding can take place right in the same place that the simple ideas of faith are taught.
Chiasms are also known as parallelism which can be simple, direct, inverted, antithetical or inserted. Traditionally, the letter A is used to show synonymous parallel and B to show contrasting or antithetical, with the letter C representing the center hinge that connects the ideas. When properly annotated, the labeled passages form an “X”; X forms the Greek letter “chi”, thus, the name derives. A simple chiasm has this structure:
A B
C
B’ A’
Toews’ example in Romans 8:9-11 is marked in this fashion:
A You are not in the flesh but in the Spirit
If indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you
B If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ
One does not belong to him
C But if Christ is in you
Your body is dead because of sin
But your spirit is alive because of righteousness
B’ If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwell in you
A’ he who raised Christ from the dead
Will make your mortal bodies live
Through the indwelling of his Spirit
Notice how the A-A are parallel and synonymous as they represent the Spirit of God indwelling; B-B are parallel but contrasting or antithetical because they do not have the Spirit of God. C is the pivot. Thus:
Simple Chiasm (Parallelism): Represented by the ABCBA markings that denote its organization.
Direct Parallelism: Markings are ABAB, where the second AB echoes the first AB.
Inverted Parallelism: ABBA is found often in Romans (1:17-18; 2:7-10; 2:14-27).
Antithetical Parallelism: ABAB, where the second AB presents an idea opposite that introduced the first AB.
Inserted Parallelism: ABXBA shows an emphasized third idea inserted before the repetition.
Both the Old and New Testaments contain chiasms. Our Lord Jesus Christ taught many of his parables with chiasm organization; a good example is the Parable of the Sower in Matthew 13:1-52 with chiasms that guide the listeners to the central message. And, chiasms are not limited to just single verses; they also exist in chapters, sections, and entire books of the Bible as seen in Daniel 1-7 according to Dr. Kaiser:
Introduction. Daniel 1
A Daniel 2 Four Gentile world empires
B Daniel 3 Gentile persecution of Israel
C Daniel 4 Divine providence governing Gentiles
C’ Daniel 5 Divine providence governing Gentiles
B’ Daniel 6 Gentile persecution of Israel
A’ Daniel 7 Four Gentile world empires
Make no mistake in the importance of chiasm structures in the interpretation of verse. If Professional Theologists aren’t looking for this structure in every study they undertake, they are likely to misinterpret Scripture and fail to reach the depths. The LORD God has built chiasm organization into many places in His Word. The careful interpreter will seek these instances out before tackling the difficult typological connections that all Professional Theologists seek.
Bibliography
Got Questions Ministries, Got Questions? Bible Questions Answered. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2010.
Kaiser Jr., Walter C. 'I Will Remember the Deeds of the Lord': The Meaning of Narrative Introduction to Biblical Hermeneutics: The Search for Meaning. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2007.
Miller, Douglas B. . Ecclesiastes, Believers Church Bible Commentary. Scottdale, PA; Waterloo, ON: Herald Press, 2010.
Toews, John E. Romans, Believers Church Bible Commentary Believers Church Bible Commentary. Scottdale, PA: Herald Press, 2004.
Footnotes
Douglas B. Miller, Ecclesiastes, Believers Church Bible Commentary (Scottdale, PA; Waterloo, ON: Herald Press, 2010), 225-226.
Ibid.
John E. Toews, Romans, Believers Church Bible Commentary, Believers Church Bible Commentary (Scottdale, PA: Herald Press, 2004), 369-370. Ibid.
Ibid., 370.
Ibid.
Ibid.
Ibid.
Got Questions Ministries, Got Questions? Bible Questions Answered (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2010), What is a Chiasm/Chiastic Structure in the Bible? Walter C. Kaiser Jr., 'I Will Remember the Deeds of the Lord': The Meaning of Narrative, Introduction to Biblical Hermeneutics: The Search for Meaning (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2007), 130.
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About the Author
Kathy L. McFarland is President and Founder of Becker Bible Ministries, Inc. and the Becker Professional Theology Academy. She is also a Becker Bible Studies Teacher and author of Guided Bible Studies for Hungry Christians. She has received her Bachelor of Science degree in Religious Studies from Liberty University, is on track for the Master of Divinity (Professional Ministries Track) degree from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary & Graduate School in 2016 and will be seeking a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Theology and Apologetics beginning in the fall of 2016. She is the originator of the newest theological movement to encourage Christian leaders to minister within the modern-day marketplace as Professional Theologists. She is also the Curriculum Developer for Becker Professional Theology Academy and a teaching faculty member. Kathy's favorite studies to teach include the connections between Old Testament exegesis, Christian Apologetics, and Bible typology and mysteries.
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