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according to which the sentence or words seem to be arranged. It is a figurative mode of speaking, when two pairs of words or propo- sitions are so arranged, as that the attentive reader may understand that a relation subsists between both words or propositions of the former pair, and both words or propositions of the latter pair.
I. Chiasmus is observed as being either direct or inverted .
Direct Chiasmus is, when the former word or proposition in the
first pair ought to be referred to the former word or proposition in the second pair : and the latter word or proposition in the first pair is to be referred to the latter word or proposition in the second pair.
Inverted Chiasmus is, when tn q former word or proposition in the first pair ought to be referred to the latter word or proposition in the second pair : and the latter word or proposition in the first pair ought to be referred to the former word or proposition in the second pair.
In a word : Let there be two pairs : A and B, C and D. If the relation is of the A to the C, and of the B to the D, there is a direct Chiasmus. If the relation is of the A to the D, and of the B to the C, it is inverted Chiasmus. If the relation is of the A to the B, and of the C to the D, then there is NO Chiasmus , but the Relation is immediate. There are not found more than these three cases, which I will now make plain by as simple an Example as possible : In the Epistle to Philemon, ver. 5, we have an inverted Chiasmus (Comp, the Gnom.), — dxovuv Gov A) rrtv dyanriv B) xa i rriv cr/Vr/v, ijv sys ig C) Grp'og rov K vpiov ’Itjcouv L) xai sig rrdvrag roiig dy/ovg. A) is con- nected with D), love — tp all the saints : B) is connected with C), the faith which thou hast in the Lord Jesus .
Let us imagine the direct Chiasmus : dxovm gov A) rr\v dyur:^ B) xai rr\ v niGr/v vjv sys/g C) sig vavrag roiig dy/ovg , L) xai rrpbg rov Itvp/ov ’i rjffovv A) is connected with C), and B) with D).
Now let the four members proceed in the order which is without Chiasmus :—dxovuv gov A) rrjv dyacrijv rjv sys/g Q) sig <ruvrag roiig dy/ovg C) xai rrtv v'/Gr/v L) Grpog rov K vpiov ’irjGovv.
This is the order in which the apostle himself has made the words
to proceed, in writing to the Ephesians, ch. i. 15 ; dxovGac A) rqv
xa§ vpug ‘TT/ar/v B) sv rip Kvpioj I/jCoD, C) xai rr\v dyarrriv D) rfy sig rrdvrag rovg dy/ovg . — So A) is joined with B), and C) with D).
Another most clear example of inverted Chiasmus is Matt. xii. 22, uffrs A) rov rvcpX'ov B) xai xufov C) xai XaXsTv D) xai fi\srrsiv.
II. Now let us see some other examples : Matt. v. 44, syu ds \syox
VfPnr A) dyanurs B) svXoysTrs C) xaXug kois/ts I))
xai -zpoGsvyjsk. This is a direct Chiasmus ; of which even a trace is still to be observed in ver. 46, 47, dyartric^rs — aG^dayiaOs (salute). Therefore the four members are arranged in two pairs, of which this is the mutual relation : A) and C) ; then B) and D). That the Chiasmus in this passage is not a mere work of the imagination, the relation of Luke attests, which makes the four first members advance in this Ol’ddt : A) dyarcun — B) xa Xojg ‘Ko/sirs — C) svXoysTrs —
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