Keraia
Lexicon

ἀλλά

allabutHow to read Greek
greekNew TestamentConjunction639 occurrences27 books604 verses

Definition

ἀλλά (ἀλλ᾽ usually bef. α and υ, often bef. ε and η, rarely bef. ο and ω, never bef. ι; Tdf., Pr., 93 f.; WH, App., 146),

adversative particle,

stronger than δέ; prop. neuter pl. of ἄλλος, used adverbially, with changed accent; hence prop. otherwise, on the other hand (cf. Romans 3:31);

1. opposing a previous negation, but: οὐ (μὴ) . . . ἀ., Matthew 5:15, 17, Mark 5:39, John 7:16, al.; rhetorically subordinating but not entirely negativing what precedes, οὐ . . . ἀ., not so much . . . as, Mark 9:37, Matthew 10:20, John 12:44, al.; with ellipse of the negation, Matthew 11:7-9, Acts 19:2, 1 Corinthians 3:6; 6:11; 7:7, 2 Corinthians 7:1, Galatians 2:3, al.; in opposition to a foregoing pos. sentence, ἀ. οὐ, Matthew 24:6, 1 Corinthians 10:23; οὐ μόνον . . . ἀ. καί, John 5:18, Romans 1:32, al.; elliptically, after a negation, ἀ. ἵνα, Mark 14:49, John 1:8; 9:3, al.; = εἰ μή (Bl., §77, 13; M, Pr., 241; but cf. WM, §iii, 10), Matthew 20:23, Mark 4:22.

2. Without previous negation, to express opposition, interruption, transition, etc., but: John 16:20; 12:27, Galatians 2:14; before commands or requests, Acts 10:20; 26:16, Matthew 9:18, Mark 9:22, al.; to introduce an accessory idea, 2 Corinthians 7:11; in the apodosis after a condition or concession with εἰ, ἐάν, εἴπερ, yet, still, at least, Mark 14:29, 1 Corinthians 9:2, 2 Corinthians 4:16, Colossians 2:5, al.; after μέν, Acts 4:17, Romans 14:20, 1 Corinthians 14:17; giving emphasis to the following clause, ἀλλ᾽ ἔρχεται ὥρα, yea, etc., John 16:2; so with neg., ἀλλ᾽ οὐδέ, nay, nor yet, Luke 23:15.

3. Joined with other particles (a practice which increases in late writers; Simcox, LNT, 166), ἀ. γε, yet at least, Luke 24:21, 1 Corinthians 9:2; ἄ ἤ., save only, except, Luke 12:51, 2 Corinthians 1:13; ἀ. μὲν οὖν, Philippians 3:8 (on this usage, see MM, VGT, see word).

Hebrew words it translates

The Hebrew words that the ancient Greek translation of the Old Testament renders as ἀλλά:

Usage patterns

Old TestamentNew Testament

Occurrences

639 total
  1. 2 Timothy 2:24ἀλλὰ · but
    And a servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome, but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, and forbearing.
  2. 2 Timothy 3:9ἀλλ’ · But
    But they will not advance much further. For just like Jannes and Jambres, their folly will be plain to everyone.
  3. 2 Timothy 4:3ἀλλὰ · but
    For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires.
  4. 2 Timothy 4:8ἀλλὰ · but
    From now on there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but to all who crave His appearing.
  5. 2 Timothy 4:16ἀλλὰ · but
    At my first defense, no one stood with me, but everyone deserted me. May it not be charged against them.
  6. Titus 1:8ἀλλὰ · Instead
    Instead, he must be hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.
  7. Titus 1:15ἀλλὰ · Indeed
    To the pure, all things are pure; but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure. Indeed, both their minds and their consciences are defiled.
  8. Titus 2:10ἀλλὰ · but
    …not stealing from them, but showing all good faith, so that in every respect they will adorn the teaching about God our Savior.
  9. Titus 3:5ἀλλὰ · but
    He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.
  10. Philemon 1:14ἀλλὰ · but
    But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that your goodness will not be out of compulsion, but by your own free will.
  11. Philemon 1:16ἀλλὰ · but
    …no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a beloved brother. He is especially beloved to me, but even more so to you, both in person and in the Lord.
  12. Hebrews 2:16ἀλλὰ · but
    For surely it is not the angels He helps, but the descendants of Abraham.
  13. Hebrews 3:13ἀλλὰ · But
    But exhort one another daily, as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.
  14. Hebrews 3:16ἀλλ’
    For who were the ones who heard and rebelled? Were they not all those Moses led out of Egypt?
  15. Hebrews 4:2ἀλλ’ · but
    For we also received the good news just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, since they did not share the faith of those who comprehended it.
  16. Hebrews 5:4ἀλλὰ
    No one takes this honor upon himself; he must be called by God, just as Aaron was.
  17. Hebrews 5:5ἀλλ’ · but [He was called]
    So also Christ did not take upon Himself the glory of becoming a high priest, but He was called by the One who said to Him: “You are My Son; today I have become Your Father.”
  18. Hebrews 7:16ἀλλὰ · but
    …one who has become a priest not by a law of succession, but by the power of an indestructible life.
  19. Hebrews 9:24ἀλλ’ · but
    For Christ did not enter a man-made copy of the true sanctuary, but He entered heaven itself, now to appear on our behalf in the presence of God.
  20. Hebrews 10:3Ἀλλ’ · Instead
    Instead, those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins,
  21. Hebrews 10:25ἀλλὰ · but
    Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
  22. Hebrews 10:39ἀλλὰ · but
    But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.
  23. Hebrews 11:13ἀλλὰ · However
    All these people died in faith, without having received the things they were promised. However, they saw them and welcomed them from afar. And they acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.
  24. Hebrews 12:11ἀλλὰ · but
    No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields a harvest of righteousness and peace to those who have been trained by it.
  25. Hebrews 12:22Ἀλλὰ · Instead
    Instead, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to myriads of angels
  26. Hebrews 12:26ἀλλὰ · but
    At that time His voice shook the earth, but now He has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth, but heaven as well.”
  27. Hebrews 13:14ἀλλὰ · but
    For here we do not have a permanent city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.
  28. James 1:25ἀλλὰ · but
    But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom, and continues to do so—not being a forgetful hearer, but an effective doer—he will be blessed in what he does.
  29. James 1:26ἀλλὰ
    If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not bridle his tongue, he deceives his heart and his religion is worthless.
  30. James 2:18Ἀλλ’ · But
    But someone will say, “You have faith and I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.
  31. James 3:15ἀλλὰ · but
    Such wisdom does not come from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
  32. James 4:11ἀλλὰ · but
    Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. And if you judge the law, you are not a practitioner of the law, but a judge of it.
  33. 1 Peter 1:15ἀλλὰ · But
    But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do,
  34. 1 Peter 1:19ἀλλὰ · but
    …but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot.
  35. 1 Peter 1:23ἀλλὰ · but
    For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.
  36. 1 Peter 2:16ἀλλ’
    Live in freedom, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.
  37. 1 Peter 2:18ἀλλὰ · but
    Servants, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but even to those who are unreasonable.
  38. 1 Peter 2:20ἀλλ’ · But
    How is it to your credit if you are beaten for doing wrong and you endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.
  39. 1 Peter 2:25ἀλλὰ · but
    For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
  40. 1 Peter 3:4ἀλλ’ · but
    …but from the inner disposition of your heart, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in God’s sight.
  41. 1 Peter 3:14Ἀλλ’ · But
    But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be shaken.”
  42. 1 Peter 3:15ἀλλὰ · But [respond]
    But in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give a defense to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope that is in you. But respond with gentleness and respect,
  43. 1 Peter 3:21ἀλλὰ · but
    And this water symbolizes the baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body, but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
  44. 1 Peter 4:2ἀλλὰ · but
    Consequently, he does not live out his remaining time on earth for human passions, but for the will of God.
  45. 1 Peter 4:13ἀλλὰ · But
    But rejoice that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed at the revelation of His glory.
  46. 1 Peter 5:2ἀλλὰ · but; ἀλλὰ · but
    Be shepherds of God’s flock that is among you, watching over them not out of compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not out of greed, but out of eagerness;
  47. 1 Peter 5:3ἀλλὰ · but
    …not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.
  48. 2 Peter 1:16ἀλλ’ · but
    For we did not follow cleverly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty.
  49. 2 Peter 1:21ἀλλὰ · but
    For no such prophecy was ever brought forth by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.