New Testament words (WBL) (William Barclay Library) [Paperback]

William Barclay (Author)

Book Description

Series: William Barclay Library | Publication Date: January 1, 1976

Greek is one of the richest of all languages, with an unrivaled power to express different shades of meaning. In this book Professor Barclay examines many of the key words of the Greek New testament, explaining what these words meant to the writers of the New Testament and to those who read an heard their message for the first time.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'I should like to think of this book as an attempt to make the results of linguistic scholarship available for the ordinary reader of the New Testament. It is my hope and my prayer that it may do something to make the New Testament more meaningful for at least some than it was before.' - William Barclay

About the Author

William Barclay (1907-1978) is known and loved by millions worldwide as one of the greatest Christian teachers of modern times. His insights into the New Testament, combined with his vibrant writing style, have delighted and enlightened readers of all ages for over half a century. He served for most of his life as Professor of Divinity at the University of Glasgow, and wrote more than fifty books--most of which are still in print today. His most popular work, the Daily Study Bible, has been translated into over a dozen languages and has sold more than ten million copies around the world.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Westminster John Knox Press (January 1, 1976)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 066424761X
• ISBN-13: 978-0664247614
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 4.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #89,806 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #34 in Books > Education & Reference > Dictionaries & Thesauruses > Foreign Language > Greek
  • #36 in Books > Education & Reference > Foreign Languages > Greek

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Word study for the layman, April 26, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: New Testament words (WBL) (William Barclay Library) (Paperback)

I have looked at and own some of the schorlarly greek word study books. They are not easy for a layman like me to understand. Barclay presents it simple and clear. He quotes from several ancient greek minds and tries to communicate the mindset of that age so you get an idea of the picture the Bible writer is trying to describe. He presents several different definitions of the same word. A excellent book, I only wish it was on all the Bible greek words but I guess he picked the nuggets.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Basic Word Studies, June 7, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: New Testament words (WBL) (William Barclay Library) (Paperback)

Most modern Christians, Catholic or not, are well versed in Latinate theological terms and notions. But how well do they know the Greek words and ideas of the Scriptures themselves? Despite that the Greek New Testament has been back in the West for several centuries now, its vocabulary still has not become a part of the mental furniture of the common Christian. Logos, agape, kyrie eleison.... Can you go any further? And more importantly, how well do you understand these words, words that were spoken, prayed, discussed, and debated almost every day in the ancient church?

Even if the only Greek you know is "alpha" and "omega", Barclay's little classic is an enjoyable and accessible place to start your word studies. (It might even encourage you to learn Greek!) In a series of graceful short essays, Barclay examines a few dozen important or interesting words in light of their biblical and classical usage; what he comes up with is one part philology and one part devotional reading.

For the student who has some Greek, this book will remind him or her why one studies Greek in the first place. It should also cure the beginning student of the tendency to impose English meanings and connotations on Greek words, treating the Greek as if it were only elaborate dress for his own thoughts--a code, and not a language.

Written in 1964, some of the information might be out of date in the scholarly world; also, considering that a number of the words have been the subjects of whole books, one must not expect Barclay's accounts to be the end-all and be-all. But there is much good to be had from this book, and I recommend it both for individual study and small-group discussion.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Starter Book, January 19, 2001

By 

Dorothy Ward (Oregon, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: New Testament words (WBL) (William Barclay Library) (Paperback)

This book takes certain great New Testament words (more than 70) and traces their meanings in classical Greek, the Septuagint, in Hellenistic Greek, and in the Papyri, giving the reader a greater understanding of what these words meant to the writers of the New Testament and to those who read and heard their message. It makes a great starter book for someone just beginning word studies.