It’s Still Greek to Me: An Easy-to-Understand Guide to Intermediate Greek

by David Alan Black

Publisher:

Baker

, 1998

Overview

According to David Alan Black, people who teach or write about Greek grammar tend to treat the subject as though it were a green vegetable: “you may not like grammar, but it’s good for you.” It’s Still Greek to Me offers an alternative approach.

“I have tried to organize the book in a manner geared to the way people actually use the language, and I have done my utmost to make this book not only accurate but easy to understand and enjoyable to read,” Black explains. “I have tried, in short, to produce a true user’s guide to New Testament Greek for the twenty-first century. The only prerequisites on your part are a basic knowledge of Greek—and a healthy sense of humor.”

Like other intermediate grammars, It’s Still Greek to Me provides a comprehensive survey of Greek syntax with chapters devoted to the nuances of Greek nouns, verbs, and clauses. Unlike other grammars, this one also takes students on a brief refresher tour of English grammar.

It’s Still Greek to Me is intended primarily for those who have finished one year of instruction in Greek and is thus best suited for second-year Greek classes or seminary exegesis courses. Its 13 chapters can easily be covered in a one-semester course, with ample time for review and testing. Each chapter concludes with practice exercises and key terms for review.

In the Logos edition, this volume is enhanced by amazing functionality. Scripture citations link directly to English translations, and important terms link to dictionaries, encyclopedias, and a wealth of other resources in your digital library. Perform powerful searches to find exactly what you’re looking for. Take the discussion with you using tablet and mobile apps. With Logos Bible Software, the most efficient and comprehensive research tools are in one place, so you get the most out of your study.

Key Features

• Discusses Greek in the way that it is actually used, making it easier to learn and retain
• Provides a succinct grammar with clear explanations
• Utilizes English examples to illustrate Greek grammatical concepts

Contents

• Part 1: Up the Greek without a Paddle: This Thing Called Grammar
  • There’s No Place Like Rome: The Parts of Speech and Their Function
  • Group Therapy: The Sentence and Its Parts
• Part 2: The Greeks Had a Word for it: The Greek Noun System
  • Just in Case: Overcoming Declension Apprehension
  • The Good the Bad and the Ugly: Adjectives Large and Small
  • Woe Is I: Overcoming Pronoun Paranoia
  • Have Mercy on Me, the Sinner: Those Articulate Articles
  • Up, Up, and Away: Those Preposterous Prepositions
• Part 3: Rho, Rho, Rho Your Boat: The Greek Verb System
  • Tense Times with Verbs (1): An Overview of Greek Inflections
  • Tense Times with Verbs (2): Interpreting the Greek Tenses
  • To Be or Not to Be: The Infinitive
  • Going, Going, Gone: The Participle
  • It’s a Small World after All: Adverbs, Conjunctions, and Particles

Top Highlights

“Any part of speech that functions as a noun is called a substantive.” (Page 21)

“How words are joined together to convey meaning is called syntax” (Page 30)

“A declension, of which there are three in Greek and five in Latin, is a specific set of case endings. In Greek, the first declension is used almost exclusively for feminine nouns, the second is used mostly for masculine and neuter nouns, while the third is catch-as-catch-can.” (Page 22)

“Aoristic aspect was used when the Greek writer didn’t want you to pay any attention to the duration or completion of the action.” (Page 96)

“The genitive case is primarily the describing case.” (Page 48)

Praise for the Print Edition

Throughout my years of teaching intermediate Greek grammar, I have used a variety of textbooks, none entirely satisfactory. In our age of widespread linguistic illiteracy, what is needed is a relatively short, succinct grammar with clear explanations and without unnecessary multiplication of categories. The text should probably review comparable basics of English grammar and regularly use abundant New Testament examples to ‘hype’ the relevance of each topic. If it is self-effacing with a fun sense of humor, so much the better. David Black has done all of this! I will adopt the book as a required text for my second-year Greek students immediately.

—Craig L. Blomberg, distinguished professor of New Testament, Denver Seminary

David Black’s It’s Still Greek to Me takes the mystery out of the syntax of the Greek New Testament. It is clearly written and cleanly presented and includes a helpful discussion of the basics of English grammar, ignorance of which often gets in the way of learning New Testament Greek. For those seeking to learn Greek or teaching it at a basic level, I can guarantee that Greek won’t still be Greek to you after using this book!

—Darrell L. Bock senior research professor of New Testament studies, Dallas Theological Seminary

David Black is clearly a master teacher. His work is practical and easy to understand. The author is conversant with the latest research on Greek grammar. Students will rejoice to find a grammar that is both comprehensible and accurate.

—Thomas R. Schreiner, James Buchanan Harrison Professor of New Testament Interpretation, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

Out of many attempts to make Greek grammar clear and interesting (even entertaining!), David Black’s book, It’s Still Greek to Me, is probably the most successful. Although the author does not break from the traditional approach, there is a freshness to the presentation that will encourage disheartened students. This guide should prove especially appealing to ministers who need a refresher course.

—Moisés Silva, emeritus professor, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary

A clearly written and clearly presented brief review of the basics of New Testament Greek grammar. . . . The design of the layout is both pedagogically helpful and visually appealing. Examples are numerous, and exercises (for which a key is included) are short.

—Religious Studies Review

Product Details

• Title: It’s Still Greek to Me: An Easy-to-Understand Guide to Intermediate Greek
• Author: David Alan Black
• Publisher: Baker
• Print Publication Date: 1998
• Logos Release Date: 2013
• Pages: 192
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subjects: Greek language, Biblical › Grammar; Bible. N.T. › Language, style
• ISBNs: 9781441256058, 0801021812, 9780801021817, 1441256059
• Resource ID: LLS:STILLGRKME
• Resource Type: Grammar
• Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-30T03:11:11Z

About David Alan Black

David Alan Black (D.Theol.) is professor of New Testament and Greek and the Dr. M.O. Owens Jr. Chair of New Testament Studies at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is also the founding editor of Filologia Neotestamentaria in Córdoba, Spain. Black specialises in New Testament textual criticism. His works include Learn to Read New Testament Greek, Linguisitics and New Testament Interpretation, and Interpreting the New Testament.