Structure of Galatians 6
Galatians 6 is roughly organized as a chiasm:
A. Bear one another’s burdens
B. Boasting in oneself and not another
C. Sowing and reaping; flesh
D. Do good
C’. Judaizers want good show in flesh/boast in flesh
B’. Boasting only in Christ Jesus: crucified to world
A’. I bear stigmata
The links are mainly verbal. The verb “bear” appears in verses 1, 5, and 17. “Boasting” is a theme in 6:4 and 13-14, contrasting the boasting-in-flesh of the Judaizers with the boasting-in-the-death-of-flesh of Paul. “Flesh” is found in verses 8 and 12-13. At the center is an exhortation to persevere in doing good to all men, and especially to do good to the family or “household” of Abraham that Paul has been describing throughout the letter.
Peter Leithart
Peter J. Leithart is President of Theopolis Institute. He is the author of numerous books on theology, literature, and culture, including Theopolitan, Defending Constantine, and Baptized Body.
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