Intermediate Greek of the New Testament
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An Intermediate Grammar for New Testament Greek John Pappas Copywrite 2013, 2018 John Pappas, ThM, ThD Table of Contents Preface ......................................................................................................................................................... iii The Method ................................................................................................................................................. iv Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 1 Syntax .......................................................................................................................................................... 15 Syntax ..................................................................................................................................................... 15 The Phrase ............................................................................................................................................. 16 The Clause .............................................................................................................................................. 16 Sentence Structure ................................................................................................................................ 16 Nouns .......................................................................................................................................................... 19 Case ......................................................................................................................................................... 19 The Nominative ................................................................................................................................... 21 The Genitive ........................................................................................................................................ 25 The Ablative ........................................................................................................................................ 28 The Dative ........................................................................................................................................... 29 The Locative ........................................................................................................................................ 32 The Instrumental ................................................................................................................................. 34 The Accusative .................................................................................................................................... 36 The Article .............................................................................................................................................. 39 The Adjective .............................................................................................................................................. 44 The Pronoun ................................................................................................................................................ 48 The Preposition ........................................................................................................................................... 55 The Verb ...................................................................................................................................................... 64 Voice ....................................................................................................................................................... 68 Mood ....................................................................................................................................................... 75 Tense ...................................................................................................................................................... 83 Present Tense ...................................................................................................................................... 84 Imperfect Tense .................................................................................................................................. 87 Future Tense ....................................................................................................................................... 89 Aorist Tense ........................................................................................................................................ 91 Perfect and Pluperfect Tense .............................................................................................................. 94 The Infinitive .......................................................................................................................................... 97 The Participle ....................................................................................................................................... 102 Miscellaneous Elements ........................................................................................................................... 108 The Conjunction................................................................................................................................... 109 The Particle .......................................................................................................................................... 113 The Adverb ........................................................................................................................................... 118 Types of Clauses ........................................................................................................................................ 120 Bibilography .............................................................................................................................................. 127 ii Preface This work is the result of identifying a need for a common sense grammar that minimizes elements that are debatable within the larger New Testament Greek community. The basic concept of “keep it simple” built into my first year grammar continues in this intermediate grammar. This grammar is designed for the second year student. As such, I seek not to confuse the second year student with a barrage of debatable grammatical elements. The second year student needs to build upon and practice those elements that are proven, not debatable. The second year student should be stretching his or her wings, applying, questioning, debating, and checking their translation and interpretation, asking the question “Why did this version of the Bible translate this verse that way?” The expectation of an intermediate grammar is to bring the second year Greek student to the point of confidence handling the Greek text. It is common for the second year Greek student to enter into heresy after translating a particular verse and to be dogmatic with that translation until the fallacy of their theology and translation has been brought to light. I went through that process and every student I know has gone through it. This prompts me to share this warning with you - the second year student – do not turn off your analytical brain when translating. You may be comfortable and even confident with your vocabulary, declension, and parsing. Check your translation work and if you have created a unique, “never before heard of translation and/or interpretation” – you need to take a breath, step back, and look at it again before you pronounce your thoughts. The excitement of translating the Bible in its original language is so very present with the second year language student that it has served to encourage me over the years. I hope and pray that this grammar will help you mature in your knowledge of the One who is called “the Word,” and share that knowledge to a world in need of knowing Him. John Pappas, ThM, ThD Fort Worth, Texas, 2013 iii The Method There are several methods used to learn second year Greek. The two primary methods are as follows: 1. Go through the intermediate Greek grammar and translate, translate, translate! The recommendation of this author is to: a. listen to the audio lessons b. read through the grammar c. translate First John d. memorize the weekly vocabulary and verb/noun endings from Pappas’ Lists of Greek Words 2. Another method is to go through the intermediate Greek grammar and translate the verses provided in the chapter. Then examine the reasons and characteristics that lead to a particular translation and/or interpretation. Resources A list of resources beyond BibleGreekVpod.com’s audio, grammar and First John exposition includes the following classic resources: Intermediate/Advanced Grammars Robertson, A.T. A Grammar of the Greek New Testament In the Light of Historical Research, Nashville: Broadman Press, 1934. This grammar is the most complete grammar produced to date. Dana & Mantey. A Manual Grammar of the Greek New Testament, New York: MacMillan Publishing, 1958. The classic standard intermediate text has been used for generations. Young, Richard. Intermediate New Testament Greek: A linguistic And Exegetical Approach, Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1994. This text has, since its introduction in the 1990s, been one of the most widely respected and used intermediate grammars. This text is a “must have.” Wallace, Daniel. Greek Grammar Beyond The Basics: An