2 Timothy 2:8-10 – Enduring for the Sake of Others

 

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I like this little chiasmus.  I like that B and B’ have Jesus and Christ written chiastically (reversing):   B  Jesus Christ;  B’  Christ Jesus.  The ‘center is also quite strong:   E  suffer hardship;  F  imprisonment;  F’  imprisoned;  E’  “endure all things”.  F and F’ make a fairly strong center, focusing on the specific of Paul’s suffering:  “imprisonment as a criminal”.  In contrast, God’s word (message) cannot be imprisoned.  The world of the flesh and the world of the Spirit are two different things. 

Note also how the chiasmus moves from past to present to future things. 

Overall, an enjoyable little chiasmus.

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A    [Me: Looking to the Past:]  8  Remember   

B    a    Jesus    b    Christ,

C    risen from the dead,

D    descendant of David – according to my gospel, 

E    9  for which I suffer hardship

F    even to imprisonment as a criminal;

F’   but the word of God is not imprisoned.

E’   10  For this reason I endure all things

D’   for the sake of those who are chosen,

C’   that they also may obtain the salvation

B’   which is in    b’    Christ    a’    Jesus –

A’    [Me: Looking to the Future:]  and with it eternal glory.

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2 Timothy 1:15-18 – Paul, Timothy, and Onesiphorus: Chains and Shame

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Here’s a nice little chiasmus from the blog “Jason’s Exodus“.  The center makes a nice point.  Onesiphorus was not ashamed of Paul’s imprisonment – and Timothy shouldn’t be either.

A    15  You are aware of the fact

B    that all who are in Asia

C    [Me:  contrast:]  turned away from me – among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes.

D    16  The Lord grant mercy to the house of Onesiphorus

E    for he often refreshed me,

F    and was not ashamed of my chains;

E’   17  but when he was in Rome, he eagerly searched for me, and found me—

D’   18  the Lord grant to him to find mercy from the Lord on that day–

C’   [Me:  contrast]  the services he rendered

B’   at Ephesus  [Jason:  “the chief city in Asia],

A’   you know very well.

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