There are many times that looking at the original language the Bible was written in gives us additional insight into what God was really saying. I want to look at one Greek phrase that is used many times in the Word of God. It’s the phrase POLLOS MALLON. It’s usually translated how much more, or much more then. The Greek word POLLOS is defined as much, many, or largely, and MALLON is defined as more, or in a greater degree. Together they form the principle of “a fortiori.” This is actually a Latin phrase, meaning with stronger reason. Webster’s dictionary defines it as, “with stronger reason, or more convincing force. It also says, “all the more, said of a conclusion that follows with even greater logical necessity than another that is already accepted in the argument.”

Okay, I know that’s a mouthful, but let’s break it down into something simpler. If I have a friend who is capable of giving $1,000,000 as a gift, it follows POLLOS MALLON, or a fortiori, that they are capable of giving a $100 gift. Or if someone can run a marathon, it follows POLLOS MALLON that they can run 100 yards. It basically takes an accepted fact, and by comparison produces another inescapable fact, which is therefore a very confident conclusion.

Let’s look at an example of this principle in the Word of God.

Matthew 6:25-34

25 "For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?

26 "Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?

27 "And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?

28 "And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin,

29 yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these.

30 "But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? (There’s our POLLOS MALLON) You of little faith!

31 "Do not worry then, saying, "What will we eat?' or "What will we drink?' or "What will we wear for clothing?'

32 "For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.

33 "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

34 "So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

According to the principle of a fortiori, If God provides for the birds and the grass, why wouldn’t He provide for us, since we are His children?! (Romans 5:10)

The principle here is that we as believers have no reason to ever be worried about the necessary things in life. If God provides for birds and grass, it follows, a fortiori, that He will provide for us!

As Jesus presents this logical argument, He comes to the inescapable conclusion we should make in verse 34. SO DO NOT WORRY ABOUT TOMORROW.

It’s so easy to become worried and preoccupied about these things, but this principle of POLLOS MALLON should give you confidence against worry and anxiety. Instead of worrying, simply turn the matter over to God, having confidence through this principle that He will certainly provide for you, His child.

Philippians 4:6-7

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.