Intermediate Greek Grammar: Syntax for Students of the New Testament by David L. Mathewson (PDF)

Description

An Accessible, Up-to-Date Intermediate Greek GrammarThis intermediate grammar for students of New Testament Greek incorporates the advances of recent linguistic research in an accessible and understandable way. Drawing on years of teaching experience at a leading seminary, the authors help students extend their grasp of Greek for reading and interpreting the New Testament and related writings. They make extensive use of New Testament texts to illustrate each grammatical category. Long enough to provide substantial help yet concise enough for frequent practical use, this book is ideal for intermediate Greek and Greek exegesis classes. It is also a valuable resource for preachers and others.

User’s Reviews

Reviews from Amazon users which were colected at the time this book was published on the website:

⭐The year 2016 has seen several N.T. grammars come out. This by Mathewson/Emig(M/E) is a brief work (290 pgs) aimed at exegesis, and has plenty of examples for thestudent. At the beginning of the chapters the authors have a section explaining whatis covered in it, and under most of the examples, they have a few lines giving furtherexplanation. In a later chapter, they deal with discourse questions. By and large thetheology is neutral.In most ways, it’s similar to others, but with some differences. Just to mention a few,M/E take the Porter/Decker (P/D) view of verbal aspect. Another is that M/E choosenot to use the “verb labels” – causal, aoristic, etc.(I’m sure that students who’re facedwith the task of learning those things will love that). On participles, most grammarswhen talking about relative time, say to look at the verb-form, etc. M/E on the otherhand say to look at whether the participle precedes or follows the main verb.One blooper. On page 187, they give a passage with Jesus and Simon (LUKE 7:40)and in the notes below the example, refer to Simon as Peter. Actually it’s Simon, aPharisee. I guess the proof-reader missed that one (it happens).Do I have any disagreements? A few. The verb “labels” can be very helpful inunderstanding the passage, just as long as the student remembers that they aredetermine by context, not the verb-form. Their views on participles (and others)result in about as many “exceptions” as the traditional grammars. Same with the”stative” aspect for the perfect tense. Many perfects appear to be nothing more thansimple actions (especially in John’s writings). Perhaps Campbell is right when he saysthat the perfect tense-form projects prominence – in the parade analogy, the observeris close enough to the parade to “smell the horses”. Or, one could go with whatJannaris/Caragounis say – by late Classical times, there was already evidence ofthe interchange of the perfect and the aorist. Take your pick. I am still convincedthat the traditional perfect – completed action with ongoing results/state, is thereMOST of the time (perhaps it’s an aktionsart, not the aspect.So would I recommend this work to anyone? Yes. If your view of aspect is the P/D view,this is an excellent work. If not (my view) there are still things that can be learned fromthe work. It’s a good concise reference that would be light to put in a back pack. M/E’swork is easy to understand. The print is not too small and the paper is white, which is alot easier on the eyes. It’s the content that counts, but it’s nice that the book looks goodand has a good feel. Mine is on the shelf next to Daniel Wallace (really detailed),along with Mounce. I’m glad I added it to my library.P.S. I have a few problems with some of the interpretations in the book. If anyone is really curious, they can ask in a comment. Also I wondering just how much the debate on verbal aspect really helps us understand the scriptures better. I remember someone asking the question on the internet “did people not know how to translate the Greek verb before 1989-1990?” (again just a thought). FAR more important is the question, does it help us better understand the gospel plan of salvation? That’s really where it’s at, nothing else matters.

⭐Mathewson and Emig’s Intermediate Greek Grammar: Syntax for Students of the New Testament is refreshing in its approach, clear and concise (about 1/3 the length of Wallace), and is unique among its peers. Highlights include:1) A minimalistic approach to grammar. Rather than focusing on isolating individual linguistic units and attributing maximal meaning to their syntax the emphasis is on how grammar functions in context. Categories are kept to a minimum in order to not burden students with undue memorization and free them up to focus on the meaning grammar contributes to the larger context in the discourse. For instance, this approach is demonstrated in the following comment on case labels: “It is important to distinguish the semantics of the case forms from the pragmatic usage of the cases in different contexts. These different labels (appellations) are not the meanings of the cases, but reflect the different contextual realizations of the meanings of the case forms. This approach also allows for ambiguity in the case functions. Sometimes more than one potential label will ‘fit’ when there is not enough evidence to select a specific category with confidence. In such cases interpreters should refrain from feeling the need to pin down a given case function. The focus should be on the meaning the case contributes to the context” (p. 2).2) Sustained emphasis on the importance of paying attention to context. This is particularly reinforced by the practice “chunks” of text at the end of each chapter for the reader to analyze. Helpful exegetical notes are also added to the representative examples of grammar that are provided for each category often commenting on contextual indicators that influence their translation or highlight the ambiguity of the grammatical unit. Throughout each chapter distinctions are constantly made between what meaning legitimately belongs to a grammatical construct and what must be ascertained from context.3) An introduction to verbal aspect theory. Chapter 6 provides a very palatable introduction to verbal aspect theory. For those desiring to delve deeper into verbal aspect theory see the footnotes in this chapter. Verbal aspect, again, allows context pride of place in determining authorial meaning and emphasis when it comes to tense use.4) A discussion of grammar in discourse analysis. Chapter 13 highlights some of the important considerations that syntax has at a discourse level.Overall, this book is an indispensable resource for second year Greek students.

⭐An excellent resource.

⭐Great as a handy guide to intermediate grammar: Clear, concise, and, in my view, accurate. Why the qualification on that last point? You be aware that the authors adopt Porter’s position of verbal aspect – indeed, the book is something of an update on Porter’s Idioms book, though much easier to follow than that work – and many dissent. The recent “Going Deeper with New Testament Greek” presents more of a middle ground on that issue.I like how most chapters end with a good-sized chunk of text from the Greek NT, often with the feature discussed in the chapter (say, the article) placed in bold. This facilitates discussion of how the abstract grammatical principle plays out in a real-life context. This makes for fantastic classroom discussion, or discussion between a student and his or her tutor.

⭐The discussion between a minimalist and maximalist approach to Greek grammar and meaning was helpful. The Book is easy to use and applies the latest views on grammar, such as the “verbal aspect theory”. It is a geek addition to other basic Greek grammars.

⭐Simply, this grammar is a joy to read! I am sold on the minimalist approach, especially for reviewing any subject, such as Infinitives as I am this afternoon. The author, clearly a skilled instructor, provides just the right amount of example texts to insure that we grasp the concepts. I am always trying to understand my GNT a little bit better. This little (300 page) book has been a great encouragement to me. Thank you Sir, and… Ma’am!

⭐I found this book very helpful. It teaches the latest views on Greek grammar. You wouldn’t think that there could be advances in our understanding of NT Greek after 2000 years but in the 50 years since I first learnt it the understanding of the grammar has changed considerably. I found it relatively easy to read through all of this book in about 3 weeks. The explanations are clear and backed up with ample examples in both Greek and English. It was a real help to have the English translation with each Greek passage as it sped up the reading time. The exercises at the end of each chapter were well chosen. It would have been helpful to have had the authors’ comments on them, maybe as a separate download.One reading will not be enough and I shall dip in again and again to refresh my memory. A big thank you to the authors.

⭐Good

⭐Clear language, objective approach in each chapter, full of examples, actualized with the news linguistics researches and gives even knowledge about how analyze biblical discourses (various paragraphs in a biblical book). I gave four stars because it doesn’t have the responses of the exercises. If has, would be indeed five stars

⭐The autor presents the concepts in a simple way. The explanations are very good and helpfull.

⭐Super neat resource. And neat to use on the kindle.

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