[lesser-to-greater]<\/em> If it is wrong to use a quotation <\/em>in a sermon without giving credit, then surely it is wrong to plagiarize an entire sermon<\/em> without giving credit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Apostle Paul used this in 1 Corinthians 9. Moving from a lesser case in the Law, where God commanded that oxen should be allowed to eat grain as they tread it out, he bridged to the greater case, the point he was arguing: for his work as an apostle, Paul had the right to receive material sustenance from the Corinthians (although he did not make use of that right).<\/p>\n\n\n\n The technical term for this kind of logic is argumentum a fortiori<\/em>, meaning \u201cargument from the stronger reason.\u201d (\u201cStronger\u201d refers to the affirmation the audience gives the first assertion, the no-brainer statement). In Jewish Talmudic law it is called kal va-chomer<\/em>, meaning \u201cmild and severe.\u201d This persuasive strategy is the \u201cyes . . . and\u201d technique. The listeners say \u201cyes\u201d to the first proposition, and then they affirm the second. Greater-to-lesser enrolls listeners in their own persuasion as they connect the dots the speaker draws.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Lord did this often. He would begin with a non-controversial issue, a no-brainer, and then extend the logic to the point he wished to make. Scanning through the Book of Matthew, I see these examples:<\/p>\n\n\n\n In our own preaching, lesser-to-greater might sound like this:<\/p>\n\n\n\nArguementum a Fortiori<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Diagram](\"https:\/\/www.christianitytoday.com\/pastors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/04\/argumentum-a-fortiori.jpg?w=640\")
Jeffrey Arthurs<\/span>\n
How to Apply this Technique<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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