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Literary structure (chiasmus, chiasm) of Epistle to the Philippians

Chiasmus and Concentric Structure of whole text


1-1

1 Salutation (1:1-11)
  2 Paul's present circumstances (1:12-30)
    3 Imitating Christ's humility (2:1-11)
      4 Shining as lights in the world (2:12-18)
        5 Timothy and Epaphroditus (2:19-30)
      6 Breaking with the past (3:1-16)
    7 Pressing toward the goal (3:17-21_4:1)
  8 Exhortations (4:2-9)
9 Final greeting and benediction (4:10-23)
Former halfRelationLatter half
1 Salutation (1:1-11)
grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (1:2)
Salutation9 Final greeting and benediction (4:10-23)
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. (4:23)
2 Paul's present circumstances (1:12-30)
I may hear news of you, that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind struggling together for the faith of the gospel, (1:27)
Struggling together for the faith of the gospel8 Exhortations (4:2-9)
for they have struggled at my side in promoting the gospel, along with Clement and my other co-workers, whose names are in the book of life. (4:3)
3 Imitating Christ's humility (2:1-11)
Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, (2:9)
Ascension of Christ7 Pressing toward the goal (3:17-21_4:1)
But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we also await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ (3:20)
4 Shining as lights in the world (2:12-18)
In the same way you also should rejoice and share your joy with me. (2:18)
Rejoice6 Breaking with the past (3:1-16)
Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. (3:1)

1-1-1

1 Salutation (1:1-11)
  2 Paul's present circumstances (1:12-30)
    3 Imitating Christ's humility (2:1-11)
  4 Shining as lights in the world (2:12-18)
5 Timothy and Epaphroditus (2:19-30)
Former halfRelationLatter half
1 Salutation (1:1-11)
because I hold you in my heart, you who are all partners with me in grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. (1:7)
Worrying about Philippians 5 Timothy and Epaphroditus (2:19-30)
For I have no one comparable to him for genuine interest in whatever concerns you. (2:20)
2 Paul's present circumstances (1:12-30)
whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is being proclaimed? And in that I rejoice. Indeed I shall continue to rejoice, (1:18)
Rejoicing even sufferings4 Shining as lights in the world (2:12-18)
But, even if I am poured out as a libation upon the sacrificial service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with all of you. (2:17)

1-1-2

5 Timothy and Epaphroditus (2:19-30)
  6 Breaking with the past (3:1-16)
    7 Pressing toward the goal (3:17-21_4:1)
  8 Exhortations (4:2-9)
9 Final greeting and benediction (4:10-23)
Former halfRelationLatter half
5 Timothy and Epaphroditus (2:19-30)
With regard to Epaphroditus, my brother and co-worker and fellow soldier, your messenger and minister in my need, I consider it necessary to send him to you. (2:25)
Supporters of Paul9 Final greeting and benediction (4:10-23)
For even when I was at Thessalonica you sent me something for my needs, not only once but more than once. (4:16)
6 Breaking with the past (3:1-16)
Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. (3:1)
Rejoice in the Lord8 Exhortations (4:2-9)
Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice! (4:4)

Citations of the Bible are from New American Bible, New Revised Standard Version and New Jerusalem Bible.

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Literary Structure of the Bible by Hajime Murai is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
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