New Testament Greek for Beginners

by J. Gresham Machen

This book is intended primarily for readers who are beginning the study of the Greek Testament either without any previous acquaintance with the Greek language or with an acquaintance so imperfect that a renewed course of elementary instruction is needed. KEY TOPICS: Provides information on the first declension, the second declension, masculine nouns of the first declension, third declension, imperfect middle and passive indicative, the imperative mood, the perfect tense, conjugations of I Give, I Place, I Let Go, I Show, I Destroy, I Cause To Stand and I Know.

Genres: Reference, Language, Theology, Nonfiction, Religion, New Testament, Biblical Studies

287 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1923

About the author

John Gresham Machen was an influential American Presbyterian theologian in the early 20th century. He was the Professor of New Testament at Princeton Seminary between 1915 and 1929, and led a conservative revolt against modernist theology at Princeton and formed Westminster Seminary as a more orthodox alternative. This split was irreconcilable, and Machen led others to form the Orthodox Presbyterian Church.

Reviews

[Philip Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was super helpful. I can translate a lot of verses from the Greek now, and that's what I wanted. So it's a 👍 from me. Thanks J. Gresham Machen!

An answers section would have been amazing. In more recent months I just checked my answers using AI, which was dope.

[Ron · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent resource. I don't recommend trying to teach yourself Greek--or any other language--but it is a great adjunct to the study. And very helpful for understanding NT Greek once you have the basics.

[Zack Tewksbury · Rating 2 out of 5]

Considered a classic by many, as I understand it, and I still use the charts in the back for reference on a regular basis. That being said, given how much the study of New Testament Greek has shifted in the last hundred years, I'm troubled that this ninety-seven-year-old textbook is still in use. Having both learned Greek from it and taught from it while subbing for an old professor on sabbatical, I have observed it to be difficult to read, failing to present its information in a way that encourages student learning. Additionally, the translations given for many major vocabulary words are overly simplistic, not reflecting their true range of meaning - a student could progress through two years of study with this textbook totally unaware that ψυχή means anything beyond "soul". In the end, it will teach the basics of Koine Greek, but it gives the student additional work in trying to make sense of Machen's obscure, jargony writing style and re-learning the meaning of certain key words that possess more nuance than Machen allows them to.

[Steve Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worked through this book twice during Sunday School back in the 2002 to 2007 timeframe, near as I can recall. Recently loaded to Kindle to help with review. Have found conjugating the verb luo is good for helping me get to sleep.

[Joshua Centanni · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not a huge fan. Mounce, Black, Croy... the list of those who are more helpful goes on and on.

[Matt Pelto · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a useful reference and companion grammar to Mounce's Basics of Biblical Greek. I believe that I would have had a significantly harder time learning Greek with only this grammar, but as a secondary grammar for teaching myself Greek, it proved useful to fill in holes left by Mounce. I cannot speak to the completeness of content, as my only instruction has been through Mounce and Machen, but the combination did give me a feeling of (mild) competence in that I am now able to largely (through a good deal of work) understand a given Greek passage.

[Wayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can anyone really say?

This is the classic first year Greek Grammar. The same Grammar my Grandfather used at Multnoma School of the Bible. My grandfather recommended this to me before he passed.

My Chaplain traded his copy to me in exchange for my pocket knife.

I enjoyed teaching myself Greek while I was in the Army from this text.

Wayne

[Don · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Edition of Machen’s NT Greek for Beginners

I recently purchased the Shawn Burton’s Kindle edition of J. Gresham Machen’s New Testament Geek for Beginners: with Student’s Answer Guide. It is very well done and will prove a blessing to a new generation of students desiring to unlock the treasures in their Greek New Testaments.

[OK Russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent step by step book on understanding Biblical Greek.

[Sergio Tapia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Muy bueno, aprenderás griego con este libro

[Luke Romero · Rating 3 out of 5]

Outdated and a bit too brief at points, but still a usable grammar.

[Michael Walker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Primer on NT Greek.

[Greg Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this during the summer of 2018 to keep my Greek fresh.

[Matthew Rawlings · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have nothing but respect for the late professor Machen's bold defense of Biblical Christianity but, with all due respect, some books should go out of print!

[Justin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Machen is a great writer and that even comes out here in his instruction of Koine Greek. His ability to edit and only give you what is essential and absolutely necessary is refreshing. My only complaint is that there's (at least in this edition) no answer key to facilitate self-learning. I would recommend working in conjunction with a second grammar; preferably one that provides answers to the exercises. However, Machen's ability to communicate troubling and difficult concepts like subjunctives, participles and infinitives and their various uses makes this book a must have on your shelf. I know that I'll refer back to it often. Buy yourself a copy today and learn the beauty of reading God's word in the original language.

[Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to say I found this more challenging than the text we used in my seminary classes (Hewett), but it is worth it if you have the motivation. Work through the whole grammar and you can sight-read koine Greek. Its tough and its grammar, but you can see hints of why Machen's Greek courses at Princeton in the 20s were so popular with the students. He is passionate about the language, its importance and its beauty.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book caused many hours of both pain and passion when I was using it as a textbook for a Beginning new Testament Greek class in seminary.
I have referred to it many times since them when trying to understand a passage in the greek New Testament.

I will never forget Dr. John Warwick Montgomery - eminenet scholar and author, making us recite the Greek New Testament while he tickled us, in order to get us to be able to remember it no matter what. :)

[William Dicks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I cut my teeth on Machen's greek text 25 years ago. It is a good text, and it follows the traditional methods of teaching the language.

Now that I am once again trying to renew my knowledge of greek, I am using Mounce's Basics of Biblical Greek.

[Sarah Gothold · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is one to read, re-read and definately read aloud to the kids.

[Terence · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh man I spent years with this book. Great Resource. Liked Efird's much better. But this is a pretty solid book on Greek.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still learning Greek, but "done" with this book.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy to understand presentation!

[Glenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit dated, but still a very helpful grammar.

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

The grammar I cut my teeth on - of course, right before it was revised. (sigh) Still - an excellent grammar.

[Mike Kasonde]

introduction summary