Review: Intermediate Greek Grammar

In Intermediate Greek Grammar (Baker Academic, 2019), David Mathewson and Elodie Ballantine Emig bring together their experience in teaching Greek at the seminary level to create this reference grammar for second-year students. It is divided into 13 chapters that address a distinct grammatical category (e.g., cases, adverbs, verbs, infinitives). Each grammatical category is explained using examples from the Greek New Testament, preventing the book from using made-up sentences. The authors assume a minimalistic and realistic approach to language; for them, exegetical nuggets are not found by overanalyzing linguistic units but by reading in context and allowing language study to support the task of exegesis.

Mathewson and Emig present a helpful guide to a fill a lacuna in intermediate Greek reference grammars. The book is clearly organized, with headers for easy access. The purpose of this book is to support exegesis from the Greek New Testament, and practice exercises help reinforce the concepts. Nonetheless, this is not to be confused with a traditional teaching grammar; it is an ideal reference for students and pastors when working with original languages for interpretation. The authors’ minimalistic and realistic approach prevents the fallacy of the traditional grammatical pedagogy for biblical languages, namely, that the best translators are somehow the best interpreters. Mathewson and Emig’s reverence for Scripture is coupled with a wise pastoral spirit to provide a valuable resource for students of the Greek New Testament.

(A complimentary review copy was given in exchange for an honest review.)

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