It's used to emphasize that something is even more true or relevant in a particular situation than it was in a previous one.
Here's a breakdown of how it's used:
* Comparison: It compares two things, where the second thing is considered more significant than the first.
* Escalation: It suggests a progression, meaning the second thing is greater, stronger, or more important than the first.
Example:
"If a person cannot control his own tongue, he is like a wild horse that is hard to control. How much more so then should we control our words when we are speaking about God?"
In this example, the first point is that controlling one's tongue is difficult, like controlling a wild horse. The second point, using "how much more so then," emphasizes that it's even more important to control one's words when speaking about God.
Here are some other ways to use the phrase:
* "If you think it's difficult to learn one language, how much more so then to learn two or three?"
* "If we struggle to keep our promises to each other, how much more so then should we keep our promises to God?"
* "If we can't trust our own hearts, how much more so then should we be careful who we trust?"
The phrase "how much more so then" is a powerful rhetorical tool that can be used to strengthen arguments, emphasize points, and create a sense of urgency.
