About the Book
Reading Biblical Greek is aimed at students who are studying New Testament Greek for the first time, or refreshing what they once learned. Designed to supplement and reinforce The Elements of New Testament Greek, by Jeremy Duff, each chapter of this textbook provides lengthy, plot-driven texts that will be accessible as students study each chapter of The Elements. Each text is accompanied by detailed questions, which test comprehension of content from recent lessons and review challenging topics from previous chapters. The graded nature of the texts, together with the copious notes and comprehension questions, makes this an ideal resource for learning, reviewing or re-entering Greek. The focus of this resource is on reading with understanding, and the exercises highlight how Greek texts convey meaning. Finally, this book moves on from first-year Greek, with sections that cover the most important advanced topics thoroughly.
Table of Contents:
1. The alphabet; 2. Basic sentences; 3. Cases and gender; 4. Prepositions; 5. Adjectives; 6. The tenses; 7. Moods; 8. Other patterns of nouns and verbs; 9. Pronouns and conjunctions; 10. Complex sentences; 11. Special verbs; 12. The third declension, part 1; 13. The third declension, part 2; 14. Participles; 15. The passive and voices; 16. The perfect; 17. The subjunctive; 18. Using verbs; 19. Extra verbs; 20. Final pieces; 21. Next steps.
Review :
'This is a wonderful book! It is designed to be used alongside Jeremy Duff's Elements of New Testament Greek. As a student, it guides you through the subjects as though taught by a friendly, encouraging and highly knowledgeable Greek professor. Complicated aspects of Greek grammar, such as aspect and voice, are explained with crystal clarity, using the latest linguistic scholarship. It is highly recommended for students who want to master the beautiful, yet sometimes challenging, language of Greek.' Rutger Allan, Professor of Ancient Greek Linguistics and Literature, Free University of Amsterdam
'Jenkins' Reader skilfully shows that competent use of NT Greek for interpretation is grounded in reading actual ancient texts. His engaging style along with his pedagogical good sense and unsurpassed linguistic expertise is just what beginners need – as well as those desiring to recover their rusty Greek. Highly recommended!' Buist Fanning, Senior Professor of Emeritus of NT Studies, Dallas Theological Seminary USA
'I have seen firsthand the excellence Steffen Jenkins invests in teaching and the care he invests in students. Those same qualities can be observed throughout these pages. Whether you are learning Greek from scratch, deepening your knowledge of it or building your reading fluency, this book will serve you well.' Christopher Fresch, Lecturer in Biblical Languages and Linguistics at the Bible College of South Australia
'Steffen Jenkins' Reader offers a wonderfully helpful, supplemental tool, especially for first-year students using Duff's The Elements of New Testament Greek. With keen pedagogical instincts and no small measure of wit, Jenkins reinforces, clarifies and elaborates Duff's grammar, even while offering elementary students a more immersive experience of the language. Highly recommended!' George H. Guthrie, Professor of New Testament, Regent College, Vancouver, Canada
'Steffen Jenkins' fine Reader builds on the tradition of several generations of Greek textbooks (Nunn, Wenham, Duff), with a treasure trove of additional explanations, insights into the structure and internal logic of the language, and numerous exercises designed to enhance students' understanding and sharpen their skills. Highly recommended.' Steve Jeffery, Pastor, All Saints Presbyterian Church, Fort Worth
'Pastors like me, who once knew Greek but have forgotten much, need the encouragement and support of a book like this. Luther said that reading the Bible in translation was like kissing your bride through her wedding veil. This book helps to take the veil away (again).' Andy Mason, Minister, St John's Church, Chelsea, & Mission Director for the Comission Network
'I'm delighted to commend Steffen Jenkins' Reader as a well-designed textbook which will help students learn Greek well or revise their flagging Greek knowledge.' Robert L. Plummer, Collin and Evelyn Aikman Professor of Biblical Studies, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
'Dr Steffen G. Jenkins draws on a wealth of knowledge in this comprehensive textbook. Familiar not only with the classical and biblical languages, but also with the most up-to-date findings of modern – not least contrastive – linguistics, he endeavours to guide more or less experienced students of Ancient Greek, especially of the New Testament variety, to real linguistic competence. The starting point is Jeremy Duff's proven textbook The Elements of New Testament Greek. On the one hand, Dr Jenkins guides the learner through the twenty chapters of Duff's textbook. On the other hand, he provides valuable additional information (this on the use of the accents and all areas of morphology and syntax). A particular focus of Dr Jenkins' textbook is on the readings, which include some from the New Testament as well as numerous classical and post-classical texts based on the originals. Those who take the time to work through this impressive material step by step will, I believe, be richly rewarded!' Heinrich von Siebenthal, Professor Emeritus, Freie Theologische Hochschule Giessen and Staatsunabhängige Theologische Hochschule Basel
'Steffen Jenkins is one of the most incredible language teachers I know. He encourages students to reach higher than they think they can go. Who else could motivate a group of Cuban pastors to give a public recitation of the Greek optative verb in front of an English audience? This Reader will be an inspiration to many.' Peter J. Williams, Principal, Tyndale House, Cambridge
