This is based on an article by Jeffrey Arthur, professor of preaching and communication at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.

Arthur points out that Jesus, the Master-Teacher, utilised a variety of techniques in order to nudge his hearers towards an understanding of (and response to) the truth.

Among these were greater-to-lesser and lesser-to-greater arguments.

They are known as argumentum a fortiori, and employ a ‘how much more…’ approach to persuasion.

They take something which is accepted by the listener as obviously true and build a bridge from it to the point the teacher wishes to make.

For example, if I say to a small child: “That rope is strong enough to hold me; it will surely hold you”, I am employing a greater-to-lesser argument.

If I affirm that “If it is wrong to use a quotation in a sermon without giving credit, then surely it is wrong to plagiarise an entire sermon”, I am using a lesser-to-greater argument.

In 1 Corinthians 9, Paul argues that if oxen should be allowed to eat grain as they treat it out, then he himself has the right to material sustenance (a lesser-to-greater argument).

Jesus used this technique often.  In the Book of Matthew:

Mt 5:29f  “If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away! It is better to lose one of your members than to have your whole body thrown into hell. 5:30 If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away! It is better to lose one of your members than to have your whole body go into hell.” (A pair of lesser-to-greater examples)

Mt 7:5-11 “If you then, although you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” (Lesser-to-greater)

Mt 9:1-7  “Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven’ or to say, ‘Stand up and walk’?” (Lesser-to-greater)

Mt 10:24 “If they have called the head of the house ‘Beelzebul,’ how much more will they defame the members of his household!” (Lesser-to-greater)

Mt 10:28 “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the one who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Lesser-to-greater)

Mt 10:29 Aren’t two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. 10:30 Even all the hairs on your head are numbered. 10:31 So do not be afraid; you are more valuable than many sparrows.” (Lesser-to-greater)

Mt 12:11f “Would not any one of you, if he had one sheep that fell into a pit on the Sabbath, take hold of it and lift it out? 12:12 How much more valuable is a person than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” (Lesser-to-greater)

Mt 15:26 “It is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs,” he said. 15:27 “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” (A greater-to-lesser argument used by the Canaanite woman!)

Mt 18:23-25 ‘Evil slave! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me! 18:33 Should you not have shown mercy to your fellow slave, just as I showed it to you?’ (Greater-to-lesser)

Mt 23:19-21  “Which is greater, the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred? 23:20 So whoever swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it. 23:21 And whoever swears by the temple swears by it and the one who dwells in it. 23:22 And whoever swears by heaven swears by the throne of God and the one who sits on it.” (Lesser-to-greater)

How might we use this technique?

Preachers and teachers today might use the lesser-to-greater technique in the following kinds of ways:

We agree that it is wrong to steal the eggs of a rare bird.  How much more should we protect our own unborn children?

A medical treatment, such as a vaccination, may hurt for a short while.  But the immunity it confers is greater than the inconvenience it causes.  In the same way the Great Physician may allow trials of various kinds to buffet us.  But, like Paul’s thorn in the flesh, the goal is something greater – spiritual health.

The more we discover of the natural world, the more amazing we discover it to be.  How much more should we be in awe of the One who Created all of this!

We celebrate Christmas with food, gifts and family gatherings.  How much more should we be joyfully mindful of the coming of Jesus to earth.

If you saw your neighbour in danger from a wild animal, or a child in danger of wandering onto a busy road, you would warn them, wouldn’t you?  How much more should we warn those we love of the coming judgment?

Jeffrey Arthur concludes:

‘Take a page from our Rabbi’s teaching ministry by starting with something the audience already affirms, then show how that case applies to the point at hand. Greater-to-lesser or lesser-to-greater is a terrific way to stand between the worlds of the text and the listeners.’