'Rather' in the Bible

I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.

But if their fall be the world's wealth, and their loss the wealth of the nations, how much rather their fulness?

That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand by your faith [as believers understanding the truth of Christ’s deity]. Do not be conceited, but [rather stand in great awe of God and] fear [Him];

Do not be puffed up with pride. Tremble rather--for if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will He spare you.

for if thou, out of the olive tree, wild by nature, wast cut out, and, contrary to nature, wast graffed into a good olive tree, how much rather shall they, who are according to nature, be graffed into their own olive tree?

For by the grace given to me I ask every one of you not to think of yourself more highly than you should think, rather to think of yourself with sober judgment on the measure of faith that God has assigned each of you.

Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Rather, if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in doing this you will be heaping burning coals on his head.

Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.

However, on some points I have written to you rather boldly, both as a reminder to you and because of the grace given me by God

Rather, as it is written, "Those who were never told about him will see, and those who have never heard will understand."

Now I entreat you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to cultivate a spirit of harmony--all of you--and that there be no divisions among you, but rather a perfect union through your having one mind and one judgement.

but we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the wisdom once hidden [from man, but now revealed to us by God, that wisdom] which God predestined before the ages to our glory [to lift us into the glory of His presence].

And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.

When any of you has a legal dispute with another, does he dare go to court before the unrighteous rather than before the saints?

Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?

Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather.

If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.

But I have not used any of these rights, and I'm not writing this so that they may be applied in my case. I would rather die than let anyone deprive me of my reason for boasting.

No one should seek his own welfare, but rather his neighbor's.

just as I myself try to please everybody in every way. I don't look out for my own benefit, but rather for the benefit of many people, so that they might be saved.

But while giving you these instructions, there is one thing I cannot praise--your meeting together, with bad rather than good results.

But much rather, the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary;

and as for those parts of the body which we consider less honorable, these we treat with greater honor; and our less presentable parts are treated with greater modesty,

Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.

I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.

Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.

the women should be silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak. Rather, let them be in submission, as in fact the law says.

It is not that we are trying to rule over your faith, but rather to work with you for your joy, because you have been standing firm in the faith.

So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.

By ourselves we are not qualified to claim that anything comes from us. Rather, our credentials come from God,

How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?

For if the ministry of condemnation be glory, much rather the ministry of righteousness abounds in glory.

For if that annulled was introduced with glory, much rather that which abides subsists in glory.

For we do not preach ourselves, but rather Jesus the Messiah as Lord, and ourselves as merely your servants for Jesus' sake.

For while we are in this tent, we groan, being burdened [often weighed down, oppressed], not that we want to be unclothed [separated by death from the body], but to be clothed, so that what is mortal [the body] will be swallowed up by life [after the resurrection].

We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

We are not commending ourselves to you again, but giving you an opportunity to be proud of us, so that you may have a reply for those who take pride in the outward appearance rather than in the heart.

For this reason we have been encouraged. And we the rather rejoiced in our encouragement more abundantly by reason of the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all.

I am not saying this as a command. Rather, by means of the diligence of others, I am testing the genuineness of your love.

Not that others should have relief while you have hardship. Rather, it is a question of fairness.

For even though I boast rather freely about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up and not for destroying you, I will not be ashamed [of the truth],

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Now I'm ready to visit you for a third time, and I will not bother you for help. I do not want your things, but rather you yourselves. Children should not have to support their parents, but parents their children.

For we are not able [to do] anything against the truth, but rather [only] for the truth.

yet we know that a person is not justified by doing what the Law requires, but rather by the faithfulness of Jesus the Messiah. We, too, have believed in the Messiah Jesus so that we might be justified by the faithfulness of the Messiah and not by doing what the Law requires, for no human being will be justified by doing what the Law requires.

Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as referring to many, but rather to one, “And to your seed,” that is, Christ.

But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?

For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision matters. Rather, what matters is being a new creation.

So I ask you not to lose heart at my sufferings on your behalf, for they are your glory and honor.

But speaking the truth in love [in all things—both our speech and our lives expressing His truth], let us grow up in all things into Him [following His example] who is the Head—Christ.

Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.

And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;

the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment.

So that, my beloved, even as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much rather in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,

Though I have my trust even in flesh; if any other think to trust in flesh, I rather:

I do not say this because I am seeking a gift. Rather, I seek the credit that abounds to your account.

See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.

Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men,

Instead, just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please men, but rather God, who examines our hearts.

Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.

but rather by means of good works, as is proper for women making a claim to godliness.

But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.

Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.

Do not sharply rebuke an older man, but rather appeal to him as a father, to the younger men as brothers,

And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.

Do not be ashamed then to bear witness for our Lord and for me His prisoner; but rather share suffering with me in the service of the Good News, strengthened by the power of God.

but [instead] when he reached Rome, he eagerly searched for me and found me—

traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,

Yet for love's sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.

not any longer as a bondman, but above a bondman, a beloved brother, specially to me, and how much rather to thee, both in the flesh and in the Lord?

You have loved righteousnessand hated lawlessness;this is why God, Your God,has anointed Youwith the oil of joyrather than Your companions.

Now if perfection [a perfect fellowship between God and the worshiper] had been attained through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people were given the Law) what further need was there for another and different kind of priest to arise, one in the manner of Melchizedek, rather than one appointed to the order of Aaron?

who was appointed to be a priest, not on the basis of a genealogical registry, but rather on the power of an indestructible life.

how much rather shall the blood of the Christ, who by the eternal Spirit offered himself spotless to God, purify your conscience from dead works to worship the living God?

Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;

Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?

And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.

but may rather be restored. Persistently strive for peace with all men, and for that growth in holiness apart from which no one will see the Lord.

But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels [in festive gathering],

But I beseech you the rather to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.

For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong.

Therefore, since Christ suffered in the flesh [and died for us], arm yourselves [like warriors] with the same purpose [being willing to suffer for doing what is right and pleasing God], because whoever has suffered in the flesh [being like-minded with Christ] is done with [intentional] sin [having stopped pleasing the world],

Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:

When we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah, we did not follow any clever myths. Rather, we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.

for no prophecy was ever borne of human impulse; rather, men carried along by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

There is no fear where love exists. Rather, perfect love banishes fear, for fear involves punishment, and the person who lives in fear has not been perfected in love.

We know that the person who has been born from God does not go on sinning. Rather, the Son of God protects them, and the evil one cannot harm them.

Although I have a great deal to write to you, I would rather not write with pen and ink.