God bless you in the name of Jesus Christ who enriches us in all utterance and in all knowledge (I Corinthians 1:5).
It has been estimated that eighty-five to ninety percent of the Word of God interprets itself right where it is written. One of the reasons that correct interpretation of God’s Word is difficult is that the average reader does not pay attention to what he is reading. So, he reads “thoroughly” instead of “throughly” in II Timothy 3:17, or he reads “two malefactors” in Luke and assumes that they are the “two robbers” from Matthew. However, workmen of the Word must become adept at paying attention to even the smallest words in the Word. God’s Word is full of many little words with big meanings. This series will focus upon two of the Bible’s little words: “but” and “God.”
Before ever being disposed to read God’s Word I was aware of how shrewdly people used the word “but.” Expressions like: “He is a good friend, but…”, “That is a brilliant idea, but…”, and “He is a fine basketball player, but…” all led me to believe that perhaps, he wasn’t such a good friend, that wasn’t such a brilliant idea, and he wasn’t such a fine basketball player after all. I also noted when politicians and parents said: “I agree, but…” and “I understand, but…” when there was, in truth, no agreement and no understanding.
When I became interested in reading the Bible I found this “but” thwarting my efforts to learn it. Questions I honestly had regarding the Word never seemed to be answered authoritatively. In tenth grade I went to my church youth director desiring to speak in tongues, only to learn that it was good for the apostles, but that it was not available today. That same year I was in the hospital for an operation when my minister “consoled” me with the prayer that “the operation be successful, but regardless of what happens, Thy will be done.”
After learning the keys to how the Bible interpreted itself I began to understand the Bible to a far greater extent than I had before. I found myself with answers to people’s questions, and freely shared them. However, my old friend “but” still, patronized my counseling sessions. So prolific was this little word, that it was affectionately given the title of “the ya but rabbit.” It seems that all too frequently after sharing a Biblical key or principle with someone, that individual would say “ya, but” and not believe or accept the truth that was presently available to him to appropriate by believing.
As I perused the scriptures my attention was repeatedly arrested by the occurrence of the words “but God.” I began to investigate its use. It seemed that whatever preceded the “but” was immediately qualified, transcended and often corrected by that which followed the “but.”
For example, Ephesians 2:3-4 reads that we “were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God who is rich in mercy…” II Corinthians 3:6 reads “I have planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.” In Acts 13:30 we find that all man could do was to lay the crucified Jesus in a sepulchre “but God raised him from the dead.”
On several occasions when I had great need, my attention was drawn to the words “but God” and I received God’s deliverance. One incident I remember quite vividly occurred shortly after entering the army during basic training. The training was physically draining and mentally exhaustive. After a very demanding day I was rooted out of bed to discover that the entire company were instructed to remove everything from the barracks, carry it all outside and rearrange them in the parking lot. After the complete reconstruction of the barracks in the parking lot, they were instructed to return everything to the barracks again. In the stress of the situation, I began to question my ability, my purpose for being there, and the profit of the training. In anger and frustration I opened the Bible for consolation and found it in Psalm 73. The culmination of my deliverance came while reading verse twenty-six.
Psalms 73:26:
My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.
That’s when I realized if were not but for God I would go crazy. He was my strength when my own was found wanting. God “butted” into my life that night and completely changed things. Although my situation was exactly the same, He had provided the strength that allowed me to see beyond my current circumstances.
This series will focus specifically upon the phrase “but God” in the First Epistle to the Corinthians. The crux of our study will explore the contests surrounding these eight uses and the spiritual significance of each. In this exploration we will see the intended contrast and how God intervened in the affairs of men to bring his Word and will to pass.
“But” is a conjunction with a difference. “And” is also a conjunction, but it does not convey the same impact as “but.” To say “and” shows continuation and gives additional information, the intent of the statement being quite complete without that which follows the conjunction. “But” not only introduces additional information, it also affects the impression and impact of the information which precedes its use. It qualifies, alters, and may even negate that which has been stated.
The words in the Word are perfect, and the order of the words in the Word is perfect. Mathematicians speak of exactness, and scientists refer to precision, but God places words in His Word with even more accuracy than these fields of study. The goal of this series is to show, in part, the precision in which God uses words. I intend to point out the significance of the words “but God” in the eight places where it occurs in I Corinthians showing the intended antithesis and God’s intervention in the affairs of men.
Future articles in the series will deal with each of the eight occurrences of this expression in the first epistle to the Corinthians. The final feature will summarize and make recommendations for future studies. This study is important for in it lie some of the great statements of scripture which will challenge one’s believing and can change the course of one’s life. There is nothing too hard for God. He has intervened in the affairs of men to bring His Word and Will to pass. An understanding of what He has done, is doing, and will do, cannot but help bring encouragement and comfort. This study will bring peace to one troubled by world situations or one plagued with turmoil in one’s personal life. In addition, this study should inspire the workman of the Word to pay closer attention to the little words with big meanings.