Chiasm upon Chiasm in Galatians 5-6

Galatians 5-6 is organized as a chiasm, with the exhortation to bear one another’s burdens, and fulfill the law of Christ, at the center. The structure suggests that that the freedom that the Spirit grants is precisely freedom to bear the burdens of others as Christ as done for us.

A. 5:1-15: focus on issues of freedom, circumcision, and the law

B. 5:16-26: flesh and Spirit; circumcision isn’t mentioned

C. 6:1-5: bearing burdens and fulfilling law of Christ

B’. 6:6-10: sowing and reaping, with emphasis on flesh-Spirit contrast

A’. 6:11-18: circumcision and law; circumcision mentioned for the first time since beginning of ch 5

The A section is also chiastically arranged:

A. Freedom-slavery, 5:1

B. Circumcision, Christ, and the law, 5:2-6

C. Personal appeal, 5:7-10

B’. Circumcision and the cross, 5:11-12

A’. Freedom-slavery, 5:13-15

Within this structure, verses 2-6 are also structured symmetrically:

A. Receive circumcision, Christ is no benefit, 5:2

B. Circumcision obligates to the whole law, 5:3

C. Severed from Christ, 5:4

B’. Through Spirit, we wait for righteousness in faith and hope, 5:5

A’. Christ ends distinction of circumcision/uncircumcision

The B sections are interesting here, first because they contrast (as in 2 Corinthians 3) the obligation of the law and life in the Spirit, second because they contrast a righteousness by faith with the righteousness of the law, and finally because they contrast keeping the whole law with living in faith and hope. At the center of the section, Paul plays on the reality of circumcision: It may seem to be a mere cut in the flesh, but it is a deeper cut, cutting the circumcised from Christ.

5:16-26 is also chiastic:

A. Walk by Spirit, 5:16

B. Flesh and Spirit at war, 5:17-18

C. Deeds of the flesh, 5:19-21a

D. No inheritance for flesh, 5:21b

C’. Fruits of the Spirit, 5:22-23

B’. Crucifixion of the flesh, 5:24

A’. Walk by Spirit, 5:25-26

The central section of this chiasm is important since it picks up on the themes of chapters 3-4. Paul has been writing about the identity of Abraham’s children, the ones who are the heirs of the promise. Those who live in flesh – which means both circumcision and the law and “sinful nature” – are not the true sons, the true Israel. The true Israel consists of those, circumcised and not, Jew and Gentile, slave and free, men and women, who are clothed in Christ and walk by the Spirit. The Father makes sons and heirs through the Son and Spirit (just as Adam was made).

Finally, if I have counted correctly, there are 10 imperatives in chapters 5-6, a new Decalog:

1. Walk by the Spirit, 5:16

2. Let us walk by the Spirit, 5:25

3. Let us not be boastful, 5:26

4. Restore the wayward, 6:1

5. Bear one another’s burdens, 6:2

6. Let each one examine his works, 6:4

7. Let the one who is taught share good things with teacher, 6:6

8. Do not be deceived, 6:7

9. Let us not lose heart, 6:9

10. Let us do good, 6:10