<\/p>
Paul\u2019s hymn(s) to Christ in Colossians 1-2 are constructed as a large chiasm: <\/p>\n
A. 1:16-20: head; \u201crulers and authorities\u201d <\/p>\n
B. 1:19-20: fullness of deity in Christ; reconcile through cross <\/p>\n
C. 1:21-23: formerly hostile, now established and steadfast <\/p>\n
D. 1:24: rejoice, flesh <\/p>\n
E. 1:26-27: mystery hidden from ages and generations; Christ in You <\/p>\n
F. 1:28-2:2a: proclaim, labor, struggle <\/p>\n
E\u2019. 2:2b-3: mystery; Christ, hidden; hidden from ages, mystery in Christ: hidden treasures <\/p>\n
D\u2019. 2:5: rejoice, flesh <\/p>\n
C\u2019. 2:6-7: received Christ, so walk; rooted, founded <\/p>\n
B\u2019. 2:9: fullness of deity <\/p>\n
A\u2019. 2:10-15: head over all rule and authority <\/p>\n
The structure, rather surprisingly, centers on Paul\u2019s description of his own ministry. All the exposition of the mystery and headship of Christ circles around Paul\u2019s labor and struggle among the churches. <\/p>\n
Colossians 2:9 appears to be the beginning of another chiasm, a hook section that both links back to the \u201cfullness\u201d of 1:19-20 and also initiates a new section of the passage. <\/p>\n
A. 2:9: fullness dwells in Him <\/p>\n
B. 2:10: head over rule and authority <\/p>\n
C. 2:11: circumcision <\/p>\n
D. 2:12: baptism: buried and raised <\/p>\n
E. 2:13: dead in uncircumcision <\/p>\n
D\u2019. 2:14: made alive <\/p>\n
C\u2019. 2:14: nailed to cross <\/p>\n
B\u2019. 2:15a: disarmed rulers and authorities <\/p>\n
A\u2019. 2:15b: triumphed over them <\/p>\n
One of the important results of this structure is to reinforce the connection between the cross and the \u201ccircumcision of Christ\u201d (C\/C\u2019). As Wright and other commentators have argued, the circumcision of Christ is not a description of baptism or any experience of conversion, but instead a description of the cross. <\/p>\n
If this structure works, then the exhortation that begins in 2:16 might link back to 1:9-15. Christ delivered us from the domain of darkness, Paul says, and brought redemption, which is to say, forgiveness of sins (1:1415). Once Paul has explains who Christ is and what He has accomplished, Paul draws the conclusion: Therefore, don\u2019t cling to the shadows (2:16-17). Redemption and forgiveness of sins involve deliverance from the elementary principles of the world, from the childish regulations, Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch. <\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Paul\u2019s hymn(s) to Christ in Colossians 1-2 are constructed as a large chiasm: A. 1:16-20: head; \u201crulers and authorities\u201d B. 1:19-20: fullness of deity in Christ; reconcile through cross C. 1:21-23: formerly hostile, now established and steadfast D. 1:24: rejoice, flesh E. 1:26-27: mystery hidden from ages and generations; Christ in You F. 1:28-2:2a: proclaim, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3021,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[81],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6010","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-bible-nt-colossians"],"yoast_head":"\n