Intermediate Greek: The best grammar for some, but for all?

Going Deeper with New Testament Greek is a modern intermediate Greek grammar designed for the classroom, where it really shines. But it isn't necessarily perfect for every student or learning scenario. In this video, we'll look at its strengths and weaknesses, consider why you should consider this if you're teaching Greek in higher education and consider why this might not be your first choice for a reference grammar.

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[samlamerson]

Thanks Dr. Burling for a good review. I have used this grammar for Greek 3 (syntax and exegesis) since it came out. I find it very helpful and it challenges the student to learn to actually read the text. I discourage students from using the answer key, just to remind them that this is both "art and science" and thus there are differences of opinion about the correct answer.
Again, thanks for a great review. I really appreciate your work.
SamLam

[DrJosephFMatos]

I started using it in my Intermediate Greek class as soon as it came out because it is more conducive to classroom instruction than Wallace's works (even with the workbook he had developed). This has the exercises that I can then build assignments and quizzes from. To have students look at both individual sentences in the "Practice Exercises" and to look at larger portions of text in context is very helpful. The Notes with the "Reading the NT" section at the end of each chapter offer insights for students that do factor into the exegetical process.

They are good at introducing the concepts with ample examples of each category. In addition, they help students navigate between what different scholars and grammars label the different categories. They referee well the issues in the footnotes. Additionally, the footnotes are replete with additional verse references which further illustrate the categories being discussed.

The drawback with the text for me is what you mentioned in the video: Vocabulary. Once the "Vocabulary to Memorize" is introduced students will rarely see those words again except when I give them a vocabulary quiz, which I do weekly and during exams. But, the practice exercises in the lessons rarely if ever contain words from that list. Additionally, there is not an explicit pattern to the order in which the vocabulary is released from lesson to lesson. Each chapter has a mixture of vocabulary of different parts of speech. It is not even based on a pattern of most to least frequent (though later lessons do increase the number of less frequent words).

There is a set of "Vocabulary to Recognize" as well. This includes very rare words that appear in the longer "Reading the NT" passage at the end of the chapter.

Dr. Plummer, one of the authors, is very humble and gracious. In speaking with at ETS last fall, he mentioned the possibility of having developed sentences from the GNT which feature that vocabulary so students can see those words in context. Shortly after, a document of about 600 verses/sentences appeared which contain words occurring at least 50x, so students can work after the first year. The more they see the words in context, the better they grasp the vocabulary. Having one for words listed in this intermediate grammar would be a help to both professor and student. If Dr. Plummer, et. al. don't eventually create one, that is a good exercise for instructors.

The vocabulary issue aside, I think this is a good text.

[paulakahn]

So glad you did this review Dr. Burling! I have found your intermediate videos especially helpful. Of course there are always many more beginning students than intermediate, so beginning level videos will get more views and likes. But on the other hand, there's far less intermediate level material available. Furthermore, what you do is unique, and therefore the more greatly appreciated.

[arnoldblanks]

I used Basics of Biblical Greek by William D Mounce

[storyofscripture]

Started reading this, I got to the chapter on articles a bit ago, Really like it so far and even had a nice history about Robertson. Thank you so much for the self study review

[fabianaguilar]

Can you do a review on Teach Yourself Complete New Testament Greek?

[markmarkster]

Great review. Agree this grammar does not overwhelm those relatively new to Greek with distinctions they may quickly forget.

[alexandersmith]

I recently purchased the Mathewson text based on your review.

[minicoopertn]

I already have Wallace would you recommend getting the going deeper book as well to review Greek grammar

[SergioCastriCar]

If GDWNTG is as good as Beginning (which I'm using right now), then it's a jewell.

[armandodeking]

If I’m a layman what is the best resource for me to get started on Greek?