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Chiasm – Mark 9:42-50
A – NEGATIVE EFFECT INWARD AND OUTWARD: 42) “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to fall away —
• Contrast between tempting and few.
B – PRESENT PHYSICAL PUNISHMENT FOR FAILING: it would be better for him if a heavy millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea.
• Contrast between phyiscal (temporary) and spiritual (eternal)
C1 – WHO CONQUERS TEMPTATION: 43) “And if your hand causes you to fall away, cut it off.
• 1st example of being salted with fire.
C2 – FUTURE PUNISHMENT AVOIDED: It is better for you to enter life maimed than to have two hands and go to hell, the unquenchable fire.
44)
C1′ – WHO CONQUERS TEMPTATION: 45) “And if your foot causes you to fall away, cut it off.
C2′ – FUTURE PUNISHMENT AVOIDED: It is better for you to enter life lame than to have two feet and be thrown into hell.
• 2nd example of being salted with fire
46)
C1″ – WHO CONQUERS TEMPTATION: 47) “And if your eye causes you to fall away, gouge it out.
C2″ – FUTURE PUNISHMENT AVOIDED: It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell,
• 3rd example of being salted with fire.
B’ – FUTURE SPIRITUAL PUNISHMENT FOR FAILING: 48) “where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.
• Contrast between physical (temporary) and spiritual (eternal)
A’ – POSITIVE EFFECT INWARD AND OUTWARD: 49) “For everyone will be salted with fire. 50) “Salt is good, but if the salt should lose its flavor, how can you season it? Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”
• Contrast between all and testing.
• Salt is a purifier.
• A little fire now in being tested is better than a lot of fire later in being punished.
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