Greek word · Strong's G235

ἀλλά

allá · word · “but, rather”

In a sentence

Alla is the strong adversative "but" — the hinge word of biblical reversal. "For the wages of sin is death — but (alla) the gift of God is eternal life."

Alla turns sentences on their hinge — what would have been true except that something greater intervened. It is the conjunction of grace.

Romans 6:23 famously pivots on alla; so do many of Paul's sharpest contrasts between law and gospel, flesh and Spirit, death and life.

Strong's reference

Definition: properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)

KJV usage: and, but (even), howbeit, indeed, nay, nevertheless, no, notwithstanding, save, therefore, yea, yet

Reference gloss from Strong's Concordance (1890, public domain).

Key verses BSB · Public Domain (CC0)

Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” 1 Corinthians 6:11 “And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” 2 Corinthians 4:8 “We are hard pressed on all sides, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair;”

Original BibleDawn word study. Original-language data and the public-domain Strong's (1890) gloss are referenced; see sources.