Philippians: A Greek Student's Intermediate Reader

by Jerry L. Sumney

From Textbook to Text

Students who have completed their first year studying biblical Greek face a daunting challenge when they try to use their knowledge to translate and exegete the New Testament itself. A Greek Student's Intermediate Reader is designed to help these students bridge the gap between the formulaic translation exercises found in grammars and the authentic text of the Greek New Testament. Students (and former students) can reinforce their knowledge of intermediate grammar while they translate a book of the New Testament.

This reader

• the UBS4 Greek text of Philippians
• an original English translation
• an analysis of the morphology, structure, and meaning of the epistle's key words and phrases
• callout boxes that introduce intermediate grammatical concepts with clear definitions and examples in Greek and English
• a concise overview of New Testament syntax
• a glossary of grammatical terms

Genres: Fiction

186 pages, Paperback

First published August 30, 2007

About the author

Jerry L. Sumney is professor of biblical studies at Lexington Theological Seminary. He is the author of Colossians: A Commentary (2008) and Identifying Paul's Opponents (1990). He is the coeditor of Theology and Ethics in Paul and His Interpreters (1996) and Paul and Pathos (2006).

Reviews

[David Campton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Less a commentary, more a handbook to help students read this brief epistle in the original Greek, but it is also helpful when trying to assess other commentators handling of the Greek. As well as the text itself, the appendices with pointers for further study are also useful.

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is good at what it's trying to do - break down the Greek of Philippians. So it's kinda helpful as a reference or if you're wanting to brush up your greek grammar.

[Kate Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great dissection of what's going on Philippians, phrase-by-phrase. However, Sumney doesn't tell you what the impact is on meaning -- which means you have to read very slowly and do a lot of independent thinking to get at why it matters (theologically, pastorally) that we make the translation decisions we do.

[Travis Johnston · Rating 4 out of 5]

A decent pal with whom to tromp through Philippians.