Pattern Analysis for 1 John 4:7-19

Pattern Analysis Methodology

Love One Another

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Rhetoric

Potential Rhetoric

Within Pattern Analysis, rhetoric is the persuasive portion of a literary unit based on its structure. Certain locations within each literary unit are potentially persuasive–they are presented below for the sake of analysis. Normally, many of the potential locations can be persuasive, but often not all. The student is encouraged to listen to what the Holy Spirit seems to be emphasizing.

Chiasm (Imperfect)

The imperfect form of the chiasm is a powerful literary device that uses an asymmetric imbalance to bring emphasis on a portion of the structure. An imperfect chiasm is seen when an extra or absence is presented (such as A-C-D-D'-C'-B'-A'), or a transposition (A-B-C-X-C'-A'-B') is detected. The place of imperfection is almost always emphatic.

Opening Summary SUM (v7B-10)

A summarization that appears near the beginning portion of a structure. For example, SUM-A-B-C-A'-B'-C'. It is similar to a closing summary which is also represented by a SUM. The opening summary should be considered emphatic.

Amplification a, a' (v7C; 8)

A clarification of an element or a sequence of elements where the second part in some way removes the obfuscation that may be found in the first. An amplification can be a large increase such as the multiplication of believers in the book of Acts; the additional detail provided by its conjugate pair, seen especially when a substructure provides data that is not in the first; or in an immediate repetition where the second part adds more than just the antithesis to the first such as Kugel’s A what’s more B teaching.

Amplification b, b' (v9; 10)

A clarification of an element or a sequence of elements where the second part in some way removes the obfuscation that may be found in the first. An amplification can be a large increase such as the multiplication of believers in the book of Acts; the additional detail provided by its conjugate pair, seen especially when a substructure provides data that is not in the first; or in an immediate repetition where the second part adds more than just the antithesis to the first such as Kugel’s A what’s more B teaching.

Frame FRAME (v11B; 19)

A frame is the repetition of a theme near the beginning and end of a structure or substructure. The surrounding layer of a frame encapsulates an inner portion. Scholars often mention a similar concept called an inclusio or inclusion where the repetition may be confined to a literary unit or it may span multiple literary units. Both portions of the frame are required. The two frame elements often do not have the same words—instead, they have the same general theme and sometimes they are antithetical. Other related names for frames are bookends, brackets, and envelopes. Oftentimes the frame contains an emphatic statement.

First/Last A, A' (v12A; 17B)

In a chiasm, these are the two A elements: A-B-C-C'-B'-A'. Oftentimes an emphasis may be found in these locations.

Corresponding Elements B, B' (v12B; 17A)

Also known as conjugate pairs. It is any two elements that are paired with each other. In some cases, the pair may be emphatic even though they are not in a position of emphasis such as first/first or first/last. For example, in a chiastic A-B-C-X-C'-B'-A' structure, the two B elements might add considerable conviction to the reader or listener.

Corresponding Elements C, C' (v13; 16B)

Also known as conjugate pairs. It is any two elements that are paired with each other. In some cases, the pair may be emphatic even though they are not in a position of emphasis such as first/first or first/last. For example, in a chiastic A-B-C-X-C'-B'-A' structure, the two B elements might add considerable conviction to the reader or listener.

Center Point E, E' (v14; 15)

An emphasis or turning point that is at the logical center of a structure. It is either an X in the middle of a chiasm, parallel symmetry, immediate repetition, or list is a center point, or if two elements appear at the center of a chiasm rather than an X, those two elements are the center point. For example, X is the center point of A-B-C-X-A'-B'-C', and C-C' is the center point of A-B-C-C'-B'-A'.

Extra D' (v16A)

An element was intentionally inserted from one of the two parts. For example, the C element in A-B-C-D-D'-B'-A'. does not have a corresponding C' element, which means C is an extra. This anomaly only applies to chiastic and parallel symmetry structures. The extra is a place of rhetorical importance, whereas the corresponding element is missing.

Corresponding Elements (v18)

Also known as conjugate pairs. It is any two elements that are paired with each other. In some cases, the pair may be emphatic even though they are not in a position of emphasis such as first/first or first/last. For example, in a chiastic A-B-C-X-C'-B'-A' structure, the two B elements might add considerable conviction to the reader or listener.

Parenthesis PARENTHESIS (v18)

A parenthetical expression or a minor change of flow which afterwards returns to the previous discussion. Scholars often refer to this anomaly as an intercalation or an aside. That is, an outer text that surrounds an inner text. Parentheses can interrupt for the sake of emphasis.


Describe the Rhetoric using the Potential Rhetoric as a guide. Some may be ignored while others may be added:




Structured Themes

CHIASM (IMPERFECT):

... love one another: God abides in us and perfects His love in us ...

a personal address

BEGINNING MARKER:  Beloved,  (v7A) 

OPENING SUMMARY: God′s love is to love one another

SUM 

let us love one another, for love is from God;  (v7B)

IMMEDIATE REPETITION SUBSTRUCTURE: ... the love for others is because of God ... Show Hide

love infers one knows God

and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.  (v7C)

not love infers one does not know God

a′ 

The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.  (v8)

God sent Jesus so we might live

By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him.  (v9)

God sent Jesus to die for our sins

b′ 

In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.  (v10)

a personal address

SUB-UNIT MARKER:  Beloved,  (v11A) 

God loves so we love one another

FRAME 

if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.  (v11B)

we have not seen God (in this world)

No one has seen God at any time;  (v12A)

loving one another perfects His love in us

if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us.  (v12B)

we abide in God and He in us

By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit.  (v13)

no text

we testify that Jesus is the Savior of the world

We have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world.  (v14)

if we testify Jesus is the Son of God, he abides with God

E′ 

Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.  (v15)

EXTRA: that we know God′s love for us

D′ 

We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love,  (v16A)

those who love abide in God and God in him

C′ 

and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.  (v16B)

His love is perfected within us

B′ 

By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment;  (v17A)

God is in this world, as we are

A′ 

because as He is, so also are we in this world.  (v17B)

love is not perfected when we fear punishment

PARENTHESIS 

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.  (v18)

God loved us first, so we love

FRAME 

We love, because He first loved us.  (v19)