1 John: A New Testament Greek Reader

by Benjamin L. Merkle, Robert L. Plummer

1 John Reader by Benjamin Merkle and Robert Plummer introduces intermediate Greek syntax through a reading of 1 John. This reader serves as a companion to Beginning with New Testament Greek and Going Deeper with New Testament Greek and includes notes on textual criticism and vocabulary words for each chapter.
 

Genres: Biblical Studies, Theology

208 pages, Paperback

Published April 1, 2024

About the author

Benjamin L. Merkle (PhD, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) is professor of New Testament and Greek at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina.

Reviews

[Nathan Leopard]

Great little 1 John reader that will aid anyone new to Greek. This book paired with Plummer's Daily Dose of Greek videos for 1 John makes the information stick even better.

[Mike Collins]

If somebody knows some Greek, but wants to dip their toe in more advanced syntax, this is the perfect book to start. Each chapter discusses a section of Greek Syntax while providing basic parsing and commentary on the Greek text of 1 John. Therefore, the book can be a good companion to grow in one’s Greek knowledge while they work through a simpler text.

[Josh Kannard]

Helpful little Greek resource for learning, or in my case reviewing, syntax. Would recommend!

[Daniel C]

I got this book because I am trying to build up steam for a New Year's resolution to relearn Ancient Greek after a couple of fizzled attempts before the pandemic. I have been going through the comprehensible input texts which focus on attic Greek pretty quickly and having been able to bridge to the gap to a couple edited Socratic dialogue i bought. There seems to be very many learning texts for students learning koine Greek so i though i would have a go at building my vocabulary by reading parts of the New Testament. I am not particularly religious and sometimes these sort of books obviously get into that but it is still an interesting work. The author gives the unadapted passage at the beginning of each chapter, a summary of some relevant grammatical concepts, and then explains the Greek on a sentence by sentence level. It was pretty useful for most of the book and by the end i didn't pay much attention to the commentary but I think that's the point. Some of the grammar summaries where very thorough and almost too much for one chapter. I have never heard of the appositive genitive until this book and it was a nice "ah-ha" moment. Just by looking at the sentence by sentence commentary it is clear that the author put a great deal of work into it.

[Grace Catherine Beckham]

For any other Greek nerds out there, this reader is a great help in the process of translating 1 John. It is also a good resource to review or dive deeper into major grammatical concepts at work in the letter (each chapter has a grammar overview/teaching section). I appreciated Merkle’s and Plummer’s insight and research. I do wish that they provided translation possibilities for more of the harder sections, but their omission of those does require the reader/translator to wrestle and make interpretive or exegetical choices. (Basically, they give the translator some tough love by forcing him or her to forge their path.) I really enjoyed reading and working through this this semester, and their application/spiritual insights have left me with more confidence to wade into the tricky sections of 1 John with students or friends!

[Jake Auton]

This was a very helpful book that allowed me to elevate my studies. The information in the book was never a dead giveaway, but it allowed me to learn and improve my translation work. There was the right amount of technical information with insightful theological notes. My understanding of the Greek language was made better by Merkle's work.

[Emma Stephens]

another great day for greek class! another textbook finished 🫡

[Will Cunningham-Batt]

Clear and easy to use.

[Ethan]

This work is a great introductory resource to understanding the Greek of the New Testament. The letter is broken down by section with the Greek text and some vocabulary aids. Aspects of Greek grammar are introduced in each section. Some textual commentary is provided but mostly in terms of analysis of the Greek grammar and syntax on display in each passage. Most basic grammatical concepts are introduced in this way, and the translation work is all rooted in the actual Greek text of 1 John.

[Michael C]

An excellent book for those wishing to go deeper into New Testament Greek, with plenty of good and illuminating guidance.