교차대구법(Chiasmus)으로 조명한 Πίστις Χριστοῦ: 갈라디아서 2:16의 구조적, 수사적 분석

This study examines the πίστις Χριστοῦ debate in Galatians 2:16 through chiastic analysis, arguing for a subjective genitive reading. By analyzing contrastive prepositions (ἐκ/διά), verb ellipsis in the ἐὰν μή clause as a conditional statement, and systematic variation in δικαιόω verb forms, this research demonstrates that Galatians 2:16 forms an ABC-D-C′B′A′ chiastic structure. The analysis reveals that human faith (“ἐπιστεύσαμεν”) at the chiastic center (D) stands in deliberate contrast to πίστις Χριστοῦ in the periphery. This pattern suggests πίστις Χριστοῦ refers to “the faithfulness of Christ” as the true source of righteousness, replacing ἔργα νόμου (the works of the law). When interpreted as “faith in Christ” (objective genitive), the rhetorical tension and theological transition between center and periphery become obscured. The subjective genitive reading captures the theological dynamism established by the chiastic contrasts. Through this structure, Paul distinguishes yet interrelates Christ’s faithfulness and human faith, presenting the former as the fundamental source of justification and the latter as responsive participation. This study demonstrates that chiastic structural analysis offers significant methodological insights into the πίστις Χριστοῦ debate, illuminating Paul’s rhetorical strategy in advancing his theological arguments.