Lexical Summary alla: but, rather, on the contrary Original Word: ἀλλά Strong's Exhaustive Concordance but, yet, exceptNeuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations) -- and, but (even), howbeit, indeed, nay, nevertheless, no, notwithstanding, save, therefore, yea, yet. see GREEK allos HELPS Word-studies 235 allá (typically a strong adversative conjunction) – but (but instead), nevertheless, on the contrary. 235 (allá), the neuter plural of 243 /állos ("other"), literally means "otherwise" or "on the other hand" (Abbott-Smith). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originadversative particle from allos Definition otherwise, on the other hand, but NASB Translation besides (1), certainly (1), contrary (6), fact (2), however (9), indeed (4), indeed* (1), least* (1), nevertheless (5), no (1), rather (2), what (6), yes (1), yet (16). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 235: ἀλλάἀλλά, an adversative particle, derived from ἀλλά, neuter of the adjective ἄλλος, which was originally pronounced ἄλλος (cf. Klotz ad Devar. ii., p. 1f), hence properly, other things namely, than those just mentioned. It differs from δέ, as the Latinat andsed fromautem, (cf. Winer's Grammar, 441f (411)). I. But. So related to the preceding words that it serves to introduce 1. an opposition to concessions; nevertheless, notwithstanding: Matthew 24:6; Mark 13:20; Mark 14:28; John 16:7, 20; Acts 4:17; Acts 7:48; Romans 5:14; Romans 10:16; 1 Corinthians 4:4; 2 Corinthians 7:6; Philippians 2:27 (ἀλλ' ὁ Θεός etc.), etc. 2. an objection: John 7:27; Romans 10:18; 1 Corinthians 15:35; James 2:18. 3. an exception: Luke 22:53; Romans 4:2; 1 Corinthians 8:7; 1 Corinthians 10:23. 4. a restriction: John 11:42; Galatians 4:8; Mark 14:36. 5. an ascensive transition or gradation, nay rather, yea moreover: John 16:2; 2 Corinthians 1:9; especially with καί added, Luke 12:7; Luke 16:21; Luke 24:22. ἀλλ' οὐδέ, but ... not even (German ja nicht einmal): Luke 23:15; Acts 19:2; 1 Corinthians 3:2 (Rec. οὔτε); cf. Fritzsche on Mark, p. 157. 6. or forms a transition to the cardinal matter, especially before imperatives: Matthew 9:18.; Mark 9:22; Mark 16:7; Luke 7:7; John 8:26; John 16:4; Acts 9:6 (not Rec.); 7. it is put elliptically: ἀλλ' ἵνα, i. e. ἀλλά τοῦτο γέγονεν, Mark 14:49; John 13:18; John 15:25; 1 John 2:19. 8. after a conditional or concessive protasis it signifies, at the beginning of the apodosis, yet (cf. Winer's Grammar, 442 (411)): after καί εἰ, 2 Corinthians 13:4 (R G); Mark 14:29 R G L (2 Macc. 8:15); after εἰ καί, Mark 14:29 (T Tr WH); 2 Corinthians 4:16; 2 Corinthians 5:16; 2 Corinthians 11:6; Colossians 2:5 (2 Macc. 6:26); after εἰ, 1 Corinthians 9:2; Romans 6:5 (1 Macc. 2:20); after ἐάν, 1 Corinthians 4:15; after εἴπερ, 1 Corinthians 8:6 (L Tr marginal reading WH brackets ἀλλ'; cf. Klotz ad Devar. ii., p. 93f; Kühner, ii., p. 827, § 535 Anm. 6. 9. after a preceding μέν: Mark 9:13 (T omits; Tr brackets μέν; Acts 4:16; Romans 14:20; 1 Corinthians 14:17. 10. it is joined to other particles; ἀλλά γέ (Griesbach ἀλλάγε) (twice in the N. T.): yet at least, 1 Corinthians 9:2; yet surely (aber freilich), Luke 24:21 (L T Tr WH add καί yea and etc.), cf. Bornemann at the passage. In the more elegant Greek writers these particles are not combined without the interposition of the most emphatic word between them; cf. Bornemann, the passage cited; Klotz ad Devar. ii., pp. 15f, 24f; Ast, Lex. Plato, i., p. 101; (Winer's Grammar, 444 (413)). ἀλλ' ἤ (arising from the blending of the two statements οὐδέν ἄλλο ἤ and οὐδέν ἄλλο, ἀλλά) save only, except: 1 Corinthians 3:5 (where ἀλλ' ἤ omitted by G L T Tr WH is spurious); Luke 12:51 (Sir. 37:12 Sir. 44:10); and after ἀλλά itself, 2 Corinthians 1:13 (here Lachmann brackets ἀλλ' before ἤ); cf. Klotz as above ii., 31ff; Kühner, ii., p. 824f § 535, 6; Winers Grammar, 442 (412); (Buttmann, 374 (320)). ἀλλ' οὐ but not, yet not: Hebrews 3:16 (if punctuated παρεπίκραναν; ἀλλ' οὐ) for 'But why do I ask? Did not all,' etc.; cf. Bleek at the passage (Winer's Grammar, 442 (411)). ἀλλ' οὐχί will he not rather? Luke 17:8. II. preceded by a negation: but (Latinsed, German sondern); 1. οὐκ (μή) ... ἀλλά: Matthew 19:11; Mark 5:39; John 7:16; 1 Corinthians 1:17; 1 Corinthians 7:10, 19 (οὐδέν); 2 Corinthians 7:9; 1 Timothy 5:23 (μηκέτι), etc. By a rhetorical construction οὐκ ... ἀλλά sometimes is logically equivalent to not so much ... as: Mark 9:37 (οὐκ ἐμέ δέχεται, ἀλλά τόν ἀποστείλαντά με); Matthew 10:20; John 12:44; Acts 5:4; 1 Corinthians 15:10; 1 Thessalonians 4:8; by this form of speech the emphasis is laid on the second member; cf. Fritzsche on Mark, p. 773ff; Winers Grammar, § 55, 8 b.; (Buttmann, 356 (306)). οὐ μόνος ... ἀλλά καί not only ... but also: John 5:18; John 11:52 (ἀλλ' ἵνα καί, Romans 1:32, and very often. When καί is omitted (as in the Latinnon solum ... sed), the gradation is strengthened: Acts 19:26 (Lachmann adds καί); 1 John 5:6; ἀλλά πολλῷ μᾶλλον, Philippians 2:12; cf. Fritzsche, the passage cited, p. 786ff; Winers Grammar, 498 (464); (Buttmann, 369f (317)). 2. The negation to which ἀλλά pertains is suppressed, but can easily be supplied upon reflection (Winer's Grammar, 442 (412)): Matthew 11:7-9; Luke 7:24-26 (in each passage, before ἀλλά supply 'you will say you did not go out into the wilderness for this purpose'); Acts 19:2 (we have not received the Holy Spirit, but ...); Galatians 2:3 (they said not one word in opposition to me, but ...); 2 Corinthians 7:11 (where before ἀλλά, repeated six times by anaphora, supply οὐ μόνον with the accusative of the preceding word). It is used in answers to questions having the force of a negation (Winer's Grammar, 442 (412)): John 7:49; Acts 15:11; 1 Corinthians 10:20. ἀλλά ἵνα (or ἀλλ' ἵνα, cf. Winers Grammar, 40; Buttmann, 10) elliptical after a negation (Winer's Grammar, 316f (297); 620 (576); Fritzsche on Matthew, p. 840f): John 1:8 (supply ἀλλά ἦλθεν, ἵνα); The particle ἀλλά regularly signals a sharp pivot from human assumption to God-given truth. When Jesus rebuffed Satan He declared, “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). The contrast elevates spiritual sustenance above physical need. Similar shifts appear in Luke 4:4; John 3:17; and Acts 1:8, where earthly expectations yield to heavenly priorities. In each setting ἀλλά protects the integrity of revelation by marking what must replace incomplete or erroneous thinking. Emphasis on Grace over Works Paul employs ἀλλά to defend salvation by grace. “Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift, but as an obligation” (Romans 4:4). The antithesis exposes the impossibility of earning righteousness. Again, “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm, then, and do not be burdened again by a yoke of slavery” (Galatians 5:1, implicit contrast developed through 5:6, 5:13, 6:15). The particle guards the gospel by disallowing any mixture of legal merit with divine mercy. Christological Assertions and Messianic Claims John highlights Jesus’ divine identity through decisive “but” clauses. “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us… not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God” (John 1:13). Hostility toward Jesus rises because “He was even calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God” (John 5:18). Against mistaken messianic hopes, ἀλλά clarifies that the true mission is not political deliverance but reconciliation (John 18:36; Mark 10:45). Call to Repentance and Discipleship When crowds presumed national privilege would spare them, Jesus replied, “No, I tell you. But unless you repent, you too will all perish” (Luke 13:3, 5). The particle transfers responsibility from heritage to personal response. Likewise, discipleship is framed by renunciation and reception: “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all” (Mark 10:43–44, contrast reinforced by ἀλλά in 10:45). Contrastive Assurance and Hope Believers face tribulation, ἀλλά their status in Christ is unchanged. “We are hard pressed on all sides, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair” (2 Corinthians 4:8). The climactic confession, “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (Romans 8:37), draws its triumph from the adversative particle: circumstances say one thing, covenant love says another. Ecclesial and Ethical Instruction Church order and holiness are often taught through ἀλλά. “All things are permissible for me, but not all things are beneficial” (1 Corinthians 6:12). Spiritual gifts must edify: “In the church I would rather speak five coherent words… than ten thousand words in a tongue” (1 Corinthians 14:19). Peter exhorts leaders, “Shepherd the flock of God… not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock” (1 Peter 5:2-3). Eschatological Perspectives Revelation contrasts present suffering with ultimate victory: “You will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10, contrast implicit). At the last judgment “the rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were completed” (Revelation 20:5), yet believers reign with Christ (20:6). Ἀλλά keeps the future hope distinct from temporal distress. Pastoral and Missional Application Personal resolve is re-shaped by ἀλλά. “But I consider my life of no value to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus” (Acts 20:24). Timothy is urged, “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control” (2 Timothy 1:7). Mission therefore moves forward in confidence, not timidity. Historical and Linguistic Note In classical Greek ἀλλά could soften to ἀλλʼ before vowels, a feature retained in Koine. Its frequency (over six hundred times in the New Testament) reflects the Hebrew adversative אַךְ or כִּי when passages are translated or echoed. The Spirit guided the writers to employ this everyday particle as a theological scalpel, separating error from truth, despair from hope, and law from grace. Summary Points • Ἀλλά marks decisive, sometimes radical, contrast. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 4:4 ConjGRK: ὁ ἄνθρωπος ἀλλ' ἐπὶ παντὶ KJV: bread alone, but by every INT: the man but by every Matthew 5:15 Conj Matthew 5:17 Conj Matthew 5:39 Conj Matthew 6:13 Conj Matthew 6:18 Conj Matthew 7:21 Conj Matthew 8:4 Conj Matthew 8:8 Conj Matthew 9:12 Conj Matthew 9:13 Conj Matthew 9:17 Conj Matthew 9:18 Conj Matthew 9:24 Conj Matthew 10:20 Conj Matthew 10:34 Conj Matthew 11:8 Conj Matthew 11:9 Conj Matthew 13:21 Conj Matthew 15:11 Conj Matthew 16:12 Conj Matthew 16:17 Conj Matthew 16:23 Conj Matthew 17:12 Conj Matthew 18:22 Conj Strong's Greek 235 |
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