The Not ... But ... Construct
by Dave Brown
Go to the Figures of Speech landing page for a more comprehensive review of biblical figures of speech.
INTRODUCTION
The “not ... but ...” language construct occurs quite frequently in the bible. Misunderstanding its meaning has caused many problems of biblical interpretation. The main problem is that readers tend to take the “not” part of the sentence out of context and make it into an absolute doctrine. For example, many have concluded from the following that it is a sin for women to wear jewelry (1 Tim. 2:9-10): “Likewise, {I want} women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments; but rather by means of good works, as befits women making a claim to godliness.” It says it right there: “Not with ...gold or pearls ...” Is this an absolute prohibition against any jewelry whatsoever?
Before answering this question, let us consider another example. Jesus said in John 6:27: "Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, ...” Is Jesus saying that it is a sin to work and to purchase food with the money earned? Of course not. We understand that the “not” part of the expression does not forbid us to work to purchase our food. Clearly what Jesus said is that eternal life is far, far, far more important than getting a good meal. It has nothing to do with our secular jobs; there are other passages that give us instruction on that (Tit. 3:14; 1 Tim. 6:17f).
Now, let’s go back to 1 Tim. 2:9 and read it again (in italics above). See the point? It is one of emphasis. Godliness is far, far, far more important than the way that we look. But does this mean we should not look our best? Of course not. Those who interpret this as an edict miss the entire point of what Paul is trying to say. It is a principle of attitude, not of fashion. Let us explore this interesting bible language construct in the remainder of this issue.
While many "not ... but ..." constructs do not totally deny the "not ..." clause, we must realize that the majority of the places where these words fall together actually do. So, it is certainly not in order to make any firm rules about the use of this construct, and while the above should be given consideration, it should not be applied indiscriminately. Each usage must be evaluated on its own in conjunction with the context, what other simple scriptures say about the subject, and good old common sense (that God has given to all of us and expects us to use).
SOME “NOT ... BUT ...” EXAMPLES
As discussed above, generally the first clause in bible “not ... but ...” expressions are not necessarily absolute. Rather, this construct is quite often used to greatly emphasize the importance of the second clause over the first. Let’s consider some examples that have commonly led to errors. Remember, the principle is an emphasis of the second item over the first, not the absolute statement of the first.
Matt 6:19-20 "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures upon earth, ... But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, ...”
Matt 15:11 "Not what enters into the mouth defiles the man, but what proceeds out of the mouth, this defiles the man."
John 5:30 "I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.”
Rom 2:28-29 “For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly; neither is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh. But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God.” (Count them — four in this passage.)
Rom 4:5 “But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness, ...” This one is used as a proof text by people inclined to teach “faith only.” Obviously it does not; it teaches that trusting (faith) in God is far more important than trusting in our own righteousness (works).
Rom 9:16 “So then it {does} not {depend} on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.”
Rom 14:13 “Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this-- not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother's way.”
1 Cor 1:17 “For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech, that the cross of Christ should not be made void.”
1 Cor 2:4 “And my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, ...”
1 Tim 1:9 “... realizing the fact that law is not made for a righteous man, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, ...”
We must add that there are some “not... but ...” expressions in the bible where the “not” part is absolute. The context and a comparison with other scriptures is the key to resolving the true meaning. It is not difficult if we are willing to dedicate a little time to study the context and the overall subject (2 Tim. 2:15).
What are the conditions of salvation given by Jesus?
Return to the Figures of Speech landing page for a nearly comprehensive review of biblical figures of speech.
INTRODUCTION
The “not ... but ...” language construct occurs quite frequently in the bible. Misunderstanding its meaning has caused many problems of biblical interpretation. The main problem is that readers tend to take the “not” part of the sentence out of context and make it into an absolute doctrine. For example, many have concluded from the following that it is a sin for women to wear jewelry (1 Tim. 2:9-10): “Likewise, {I want} women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments; but rather by means of good works, as befits women making a claim to godliness.” It says it right there: “Not with ...gold or pearls ...” Is this an absolute prohibition against any jewelry whatsoever?
Before answering this question, let us consider another example. Jesus said in John 6:27: "Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, ...” Is Jesus saying that it is a sin to work and to purchase food with the money earned? Of course not. We understand that the “not” part of the expression does not forbid us to work to purchase our food. Clearly what Jesus said is that eternal life is far, far, far more important than getting a good meal. It has nothing to do with our secular jobs; there are other passages that give us instruction on that (Tit. 3:14; 1 Tim. 6:17f).
Now, let’s go back to 1 Tim. 2:9 and read it again (in italics above). See the point? It is one of emphasis. Godliness is far, far, far more important than the way that we look. But does this mean we should not look our best? Of course not. Those who interpret this as an edict miss the entire point of what Paul is trying to say. It is a principle of attitude, not of fashion. Let us explore this interesting bible language construct in the remainder of this issue.
While many "not ... but ..." constructs do not totally deny the "not ..." clause, we must realize that the majority of the places where these words fall together actually do. So, it is certainly not in order to make any firm rules about the use of this construct, and while the above should be given consideration, it should not be applied indiscriminately. Each usage must be evaluated on its own in conjunction with the context, what other simple scriptures say about the subject, and good old common sense (that God has given to all of us and expects us to use).
SOME “NOT ... BUT ...” EXAMPLES
As discussed above, generally the first clause in bible “not ... but ...” expressions are not necessarily absolute. Rather, this construct is quite often used to greatly emphasize the importance of the second clause over the first. Let’s consider some examples that have commonly led to errors. Remember, the principle is an emphasis of the second item over the first, not the absolute statement of the first.
Matt 6:19-20 "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures upon earth, ... But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, ...”
Matt 15:11 "Not what enters into the mouth defiles the man, but what proceeds out of the mouth, this defiles the man."
John 5:30 "I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.”
Rom 2:28-29 “For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly; neither is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh. But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God.” (Count them — four in this passage.)
Rom 4:5 “But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness, ...” This one is used as a proof text by people inclined to teach “faith only.” Obviously it does not; it teaches that trusting (faith) in God is far more important than trusting in our own righteousness (works).
Rom 9:16 “So then it {does} not {depend} on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.”
Rom 14:13 “Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this-- not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother's way.”
1 Cor 1:17 “For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech, that the cross of Christ should not be made void.”
1 Cor 2:4 “And my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, ...”
1 Tim 1:9 “... realizing the fact that law is not made for a righteous man, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, ...”
We must add that there are some “not... but ...” expressions in the bible where the “not” part is absolute. The context and a comparison with other scriptures is the key to resolving the true meaning. It is not difficult if we are willing to dedicate a little time to study the context and the overall subject (2 Tim. 2:15).
What are the conditions of salvation given by Jesus?
Return to the Figures of Speech landing page for a nearly comprehensive review of biblical figures of speech.
