But God in I Corinthians: Grammatical Connectives (Part 2 of 11) – Volume 6 – Day 9 – October 9, 2023

God bless you in the name of Jesus Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God (I Corinthians 1:24).

The phrase “but God” is found eight times in the First Epistle to the Corinthians.  “But” always implies antithesis, and it shows how two ideas differ from one another.  When God is linked to this contrasting conjunc­tion that statement is significant and merits our close scrunity, for this precise placement of words in the Word is a declaration of God that places Himself in contrast to someone or something.

As we proceed through the eight uses in I Corinthians over the next several days we will see the mathematical exactness with which they are used.  We will investi­gate them in order of their occurrence.  God uses numbers in the scriptures with divine design.  They are like a garnish which ornaments or highlights the truth, but are not conclusive enough on their own to provide a basis for interpretation.

The field of grammatical connectives can open panoramas as to how the Word interprets itself in the verse, right where it is written.  These connectives are “flags” which signal the trained observer to special relationships between words and phrases.  These little words with big meanings can be grouped into the following categories:  temporal, local, logical, and emphatic.  The logical connectives are further classified as:  contrast, comparison, continuation, reason, result, and purpose.  “But” is one of the six logical connectives showing con­trast, and though common is significant and merits attention.

The precise usage of the grammatical connectives assists the workman in right dividing the Word.  The accuracy with which these words are used help take the guess work out of letting the Word interpret itself.  Personal opinion has no place in biblical interpreta­tion.  The grammatical connectives act as road signs on the way toward the proper dividing of the Word.

Dr. Edman of Wheaton Theological Seminary wrote a book dealing specifically with the words “but” and “God.”  But God is a series of devotional essays, poems, and appropriate pictures.  In this book Dr. Edman focuses on the word “but.”  He explores thirty-five usages of “but” in inspirational, textual accounts.  However, the thesis is approached through personal experience and not through keys to Biblical interpretation.

I Corinthians is best understood and enjoyed in light of God’s placement of it in the “all truth.”  It is a reproof epistle and was written to correct the practical error of not adhering to the revelation of Romans.  The book of Romans deals with what God has made the believer to be in Christ and what God in Christ is unto the believer.  Until believers understand what they were by nature and what God has legally made them in Christ the significance of I Corinthians cannot be fully appreciated.

The uses of “but God” in I Corinthians point out definite problems that the Corinthians had regarding the foundational doctrine of Romans.  They needed to be reminded of what God did for them.  God is the prime mover, the believers’ eternal salvation and abundant life is according to His gracious working in and for the believer.

Believers today are similarly tricked regarding right doctrine and practice error in the same way.  These eight usages of “but God” forcefully present truths of God’s gracious action that set Him in contrast to man’s practice of wrong doctrine.  These eight usages are set with great accuracy in this epistle, and occur in the following verses:

The word used for God in all eight uses is theos.  Theos corresponds generally with elohim and denotes the Creator.  There are two words translated “but:”  de and alla.  Both words are logical contrasting connectives.

When “but” introduces a sentence, it is generally a translation of de.  De marks a weak contrast and a conceal­ed antithesis.  Alla is more emphatic.  It is used to mark opposition, interruption, or transition.  The first, third, and seventh use of “but God” are composed of the Greek words alla and theos.  The other five uses are composed of the Greek words de and theos.  The spiritual significance of the number one denotes unity and commencement.  Three denotes completeness.  Seven denotes spiritual perfection.  These emphatic uses of “but” are used to show great contrast.  The unity, com­pleteness, and spiritual perfection with which God intervened in the affairs of men are very emphatically stated in these uses.

In tomorrow’s Messenger we will look at the first of the occurrences, I Corinthians 1:27, “But God hath chosen…”