Chiasmus Resources

11. Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.
12. For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
13. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.

14. Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. 5:1 For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may

1. Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. 2. For unto us was the gospel preached,
as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them,
not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.
3. For we which have believed do enter into rest,

                as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest:

5. For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak. 6. But one in a certain place testified, saying,

                What is man, that thou art mindful of him?

                or the son of man that thou visitest him?

7. Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands:

5. Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?

​       ​         6. And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith,
​        ​        And let all the angels of God worship him.

​        ​        7. And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.

12 Now if Christ be preached
that he rose from the dead,

        how say some among you
        that there is no resurrection of the dead?

                13 But if there be no resurrection of the dead,
                then is Christ not risen:
                14 And if Christ be not risen,
                then is our preaching vain,
                and your faith is also vain.

33. For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace,
as in all churches of the saints.

        34. Let your women keep silence in the churches:
        for it is not permitted unto them to speak;
        but they are commanded to be under obedience
        as also saith the law.

                35. And if they will learn any thing,
                let them ask their husbands at home:

        for it is a shame
        for women to speak in the church.

In this pericope, Bailey identifies the chiasmsus, contrasting the preaching of flowery rhetoric to the simple but powerful preaching of the cross of Jesus Christ. Preaching the cross of Jesus Christ forms the crux of this passage, and it is surrounded by undermining the effectiveness of wise words.

Basic outline

I. Wise words and wise people are inadequate [Needed: the cross] (1:17-20)

    II. The Power and wisdom of God in the Cross (1:21-26a)

III. Wise words and wise people are inadequate [Needed: the cross] (1:26b-2:2)

21. For after that in the wisdom of God
the world by wisdom knew not God,

        it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching
        to save them that believe.

                22. For the Jews require a sign,
                and the Greeks seek after wisdom:

                        23. But we preach
                        Christ crucified,

                unto the Jews a stumblingblock,
                and unto the Greeks foolishness;

3. And I was with you in weakness,
and in fear, and in much trembling.
4. And my speech and my preaching
was not with enticing words of man's wisdom,
but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:

5. That your faith should not stand
in the wisdom of men,
but in the power of God.

6. Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect:
yet not the wisdom of this world,
nor of the princes of this world,
that come to nought: