Essentials of New Testament Greek [Hardcover]

Ray Summers (Author), Thomas Sawyer (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 29, 1995

A fresh revision of a classic text, suited for classrooms or private study. Thousands of pastors have enhanced their understanding of the New Testament with this user-friendly book.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English, Greek

Product Details

• Hardcover: 200 pages
• Publisher: B&H Academic; Revised edition (June 29, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805410015
• ISBN-13: 978-0805410013
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #177,195 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good explanation, poor exercises., December 11, 2000

By 

Kyle Maxwell (Irving, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Essentials of New Testament Greek (Hardcover)

This is a good introduction to studying Koine Greek, though it should probably be supplemented. The workbook is nearly essential (contrary to other reviews, it's quite easy to find), especially since it's true, there are no answers to the included exercises in the textbook itself.

But the explanations are clear and easy to follow. The text is well-written and concise. The font is quite readable and clear, and you shouldn't have any problems reading the Greek text itself.

If you get this book, do yourself a favor and get the workbook too. Together they make a nice pair.

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Ray Summers- I've had this book since 1985, April 1, 2000

By 

Glenn Davis [e-mail] (Plantersville, MS United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Essentials of New Testament Greek (Hardcover)

My first greek class was in 1985, and we used this Summer's text. In 1988 I wanted to refreshen my greek so I took another greek class, and again the text was this one by Summer's. In both of those classes, and in my days since, I have struggled with this book.

The book is basic, almost too basic. Greek is a very "peculiar" language. The "explanatory" instruction one gets on specific matters then the more one will understand the language. I believe this book fails in many aspects. This book would be "ok" if the teacher is outstanding in his/her skills of teaching greek. Otherwise, I wouldn't buy this book.

I have since ordered "Basics of Biblical Greek" by W. Mounce. That book not only deserves 5 stars, but 5 more. I have studied that book on my own and have found it very satisfactory, fullfilling, and able to fill in the blanks that other greek grammars have not been able to accomplish. William Mounce's father taught greek and brought his son into the language when William was at a young age. Needless to say, William has spent his entire life with the language. He has arranged his book in an order that is logical, helpful, and very useful. I wish I had first started with Mounce's grammar. If you get Summer's then you may soon have the same desire.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Introduction to New Testament Greek, August 4, 2003

By 

D.P. "David Fahrenthold" (Dallas, Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Essentials of New Testament Greek (Hardcover)

This is a good introduction to the study of New Testament Greek. I am partial to it, because it is the text I used in college, but it does have its flaws.

It has some positives to it: it has a lot of vocabulary in it (80% of all the words used in the NT/all words used more than 50 times). It also has good charts for the different tenses and uses of irregular forms of New Testament words.

The main flaw to the book is that it uses the eight case system, and it doesn't use the five (the eight case system has all but fallen out of favor). The only other problem I have with it is that it doesn't dicuss the optative mood at all (most introductory grammars do not, because it is so rare in the New Testament). As I said, I am partial to this work, because it is the text I learned with. You will get some good things from the work, but it does have its disadvantages. This is a good work, but I would recommend also using Mounce along with Summers for a different perspective all together.