Die argumentatiewe funksie van Jakobus 1:9-11

Abstract

The connection between James 1:9-11 and the preceding verses is disputed among commentators. According to the disjointedness hypothesis, there is no connection. Variants of the unitary hypothesis connect 1:9-11 either to 1:2-4 or to 1:5-8. This article proposes a new variant of the unitary hypothesis, namely that 1:9-11 is part of a deductive argument starling at 1:2. The author of James wants to prove that believers suffering from poverty should be glad when they suffer, because they will receive everlasting life. He proves this by supplying an instance of modus ponens (1:2-8) as well as an instance of modus tollens (1:9-11). James 1:9-11 is therefore connected to the previous section as a demonstration that the antithesis to the poverty of the oppressed believer is everlasting death.