A chiasm is a literary structure where vocabulary or themes of the first section of a passage is repeated in the second. The center of the chiasm is typically the climax of the passage. In 2 Corinthians 1:11-20 there are four chiasms: 1:11; 1:12-14; 1:15-16; and 1:17-20.Ayou also joining in helping us through your prayers, so that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf (1:11a)Bfor the favor bestowed on us (1:11b)A1through the prayers of many. (1:11c)AFor ourboast (Greek: kauchēsis) is this: the testimony of our conscience that we behaved in(Greek: en) the world with (Greek: en) simplicity and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by(Greek: en) the grace of God, and supremely so toward you. (v 12)B1For we are not writing to you anything other than what you read and acknowledge (v 13a)B2and I hope you will fully acknowledge- (v 13b)B3just as you did partially acknowledge us, (14a)A’thaton (Greek: en) the day of our Lord Jesus you will boast (Greek: kauchēma) of us as we will boast of you. (14b)AIn this confidence I intended at first to come to you, so that you might twice receive a blessing; (1:15)Band that is, to pass your way into Macedonia, (1:16a)B’and again from Macedonia (1:16ab)A’to come to you, and by you to be helped on my journey to Judea. (1:16c)ATherefore, I was not vacillating when I intended to do this, was I? Or what I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, so that with me there will bethe yes, yes and the no, no at the same time? (1:17)BBut as God is faithful, our word to you is not yes and no. (1:18)B’For the Son of God, Christ Jesus, who was preached among you by us– by me and Silvanus and Timothy– was not yes and no, but is yes in Him. (1:19)A’For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are the yes; therefore also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us (1:20)
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