‘Dink voordat jy praat’ : die krag van die tong by Philo en Jakobus

Loading...
Thumbnail Image

Authors

Steyn, Gert Jacobus

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

OpenJournals Publishing

Abstract

It is appropriate to reflect on the ability of language in pursuing and establishing peace. This contribution briefly explores the Jewish Wisdom literature, the Jewish-Hellenistic philosophy of the corpus Philonicum and the wisdom genre of James 3 as valuable sources on the power of the tongue. At least five practical guidelines regarding speech and its role in the creation of peace are deduced from these three collections of literature: the tongue might be small, but its effects are powerful; believers’ speech should be characterised by truth and honesty; there are times when one needs to speak up and openly; but there are also times that one should be cautious and rather keep quiet; wisdom is needed in exercising the ability to differentiate when to speak and when to keep quiet. It is important, however, to develop the ability to distinguish when to speak and when to keep quiet.

Description

Keywords

Joodse Wysheidsliteratuur, Philo, Jakobus, Vrede, Tong as ’n skerp wapen, Menslike spreke, Gespletenheid, Tyd om stil te bly, Tyd om te praat, Beheersing van die tong

Sustainable Development Goals

Citation

Steyn, G., 2015, ‘"Dink voordat jy praat’: Die krag van die tong by Philo en Jakobus', HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies 71(1), Art. #3027, 7 pages. http://dx.DOI.org/ 10.4102/hts.v71i1.3027.