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Reading Koine Greek: An Introduction and Integrated Workbook
This in-depth yet student-friendly introduction to Koine Greek provides a full grounding in Greek grammar while starting to build skill in the use of exegetical tools. The approach, informed by twenty-five years of classroom teaching, emphasizes reading Greek for comprehension as opposed to merely translating it. The workbook is integrated into the textbook, enabling students to encounter real examples as they learn each new concept. The book covers not only New Testament Greek but also the wider range of Bible-related Greek (LXX and other Koine texts). It introduces students to reference tools for biblical Greek, includes tips on learning, and is supplemented by robust web-based resources through Baker Academic's Textbook eSources, offering course help for professors and study aids for students.
704 pages, Hardcover
First published August 19, 2014
66 people are currently reading
135 people want to read
About the author
Rodney J. Decker
14 books1 followerRodney J. Decker (1953–2014) received his ThD from Central Baptist Theological Seminary and served as professor of Greek and New Testament at Baptist Bible Seminary in Pennsylvania. He authored Temporal Deixis of the Greek Verb in the Gospel of Mark with Reference to Verbal Aspect and several major Greek study books, including A Koine Greek Reader and the forthcoming Mark volumes in the Baylor Handbook on the Greek New Testament.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
June 12, 2025
4.5 stars [Grammar]
Decker produces an introductory Greek grammar which, overall, supplants Mounce.
Use: 5 stars.
Is inductive or deductive andragogy better for you? Your professor will choose, and your progress may suffer for that choice. But not with Decker: Decker puts both into one textbook. Deductive rules, organized into chapters, are complemented by hundreds of examples from Koine literature (mostly the NT and LXX). In other words, Decker integrates an entire workbook into the textbook.
Methodology: 4.75 stars.
The late Rodney Decker was part of a small cadre of Greek professors intimate with how linguistics works, not just the Greek language, and constitute a tier above such authors as Mounce and Wallace. Moises Silva and Constantine Campbell are two other scholars in this cadre. This book demonstrates that knowledge in many ways, by giving broader (and thus more accurate) definitions for vocabulary, defending the Aspect side of the argument pertaining to Greek verbs, and cautioning against formulaism. The only place in the entire book where Decker goes off course is his Hierarchy of Rules in section 14.13, which is rife with the error of formulaism. In checking the notes, it appears to be reproduced in its entirety from Wallace. So, that figures.
Layout: 4.25 stars.
Not quite as clean or visually attractive as Mounce's layout. (Though Mounce's 3rd edition is less clean and attractive than his own 2nd edition.)
Take-away:
This will be the textbook I teach Koine from, from now on. It is stronger in the linguistics, and it includes a workbook in the very text.
Decker produces an introductory Greek grammar which, overall, supplants Mounce.
Use: 5 stars.
Is inductive or deductive andragogy better for you? Your professor will choose, and your progress may suffer for that choice. But not with Decker: Decker puts both into one textbook. Deductive rules, organized into chapters, are complemented by hundreds of examples from Koine literature (mostly the NT and LXX). In other words, Decker integrates an entire workbook into the textbook.
Methodology: 4.75 stars.
The late Rodney Decker was part of a small cadre of Greek professors intimate with how linguistics works, not just the Greek language, and constitute a tier above such authors as Mounce and Wallace. Moises Silva and Constantine Campbell are two other scholars in this cadre. This book demonstrates that knowledge in many ways, by giving broader (and thus more accurate) definitions for vocabulary, defending the Aspect side of the argument pertaining to Greek verbs, and cautioning against formulaism. The only place in the entire book where Decker goes off course is his Hierarchy of Rules in section 14.13, which is rife with the error of formulaism. In checking the notes, it appears to be reproduced in its entirety from Wallace. So, that figures.
Layout: 4.25 stars.
Not quite as clean or visually attractive as Mounce's layout. (Though Mounce's 3rd edition is less clean and attractive than his own 2nd edition.)
Take-away:
This will be the textbook I teach Koine from, from now on. It is stronger in the linguistics, and it includes a workbook in the very text.
January 22, 2016
Most thorough introductory Greek grammar. Helpful that Decker also touches on English grammar to aid the reader in understanding Greek parallels and concepts. Even talks about aspect and Aktionsart.
February 23, 2019
Very helpful Greek Grammar. It prepares the student to read the NT, the LXX and other Koine Greek literature.
January 20, 2020
Decker's book is a helpful introductory/intermediate textbook of Koine Greek. It deals with some advanced grammatical concepts (e.g. uses of the participle and subjunctive), though not at great length. It really excels at explaining the morphological nuances of Koine Greek, such as the vocalic variances in the declension of liquid and contract verbs. I probably wouldn't recommend it if this is your first foray into Greek, though it does have beginner students in mind. Some of the examples and reading passages (or the sheer abundance of them) can be overwhelming to an inexperienced reader.
April 29, 2021
A really helpful intro to Greek grammar and integrated workbook (admittedly then I didn't read every page). Perhaps a bit more advanced than the popular textbook from Mounce, although I find this nice for looking back on it as my own Greek gets more advanced (hopefully!).
February 18, 2021
Though I'm not in Decker's camp of verbal aspect nor do I think some if the chapters needed to be in a elementary grammar, it is still a good grammar as they go.
November 4, 2022
Enjoyable Greek Grammar. I prefer this over Mounce.
May 8, 2023
Filled in the weaknesses of Mounce. Great resource.
October 10, 2024
Well written and pretty comprehensive. Will work through it yet again as I'm giving the Ranieri-Roberts method a try to see if it is as effective as some claim.
Read
July 18, 2025Not qualified to rate the book but it was adequate for learning Greek via the grammar-translation method which has been proven to be ineffective for language acquisition.
February 17, 2025
Rodney Decker’s Reading Koine Greek is an exceptionally thorough textbook, best suited for advanced students or those with prior Greek knowledge. While rich in depth, it can feel overwhelming as a first-year resource. Beginners should note that it does not include answer keys, making self-study more challenging. However, parsing and translation answers for most exercises—except those based on Apostolic Fathers' texts—are available on NT and LXX interlinear websites. Free tools like the lexicon and interlinear resources on BibleHub and BibleBento are sufficient for working through the exercises, so purchasing a separate lexicon isn’t necessary.
While the book is commendable for its depth, its ambition of teaching Koine Greek beyond NT texts may be unrealistic for most students. Even second-year students still working through the Greek NT might find the scope too broad. For this reason, I recommend that beginners start with a grammar focused exclusively on NT Greek, such as Merkle and Plummer’s Beginning with New Testament Greek.
For those who have already completed a first-year Greek course using a more accessible textbook, such as Bill Mounce’s Basics of Biblical Greek, Decker’s book may offer additional value. Personally, my prior experience with Mounce made Decker’s material more approachable, though many details still felt beyond my capability. Most students will likely benefit more from progressing from a beginner textbook to an intermediate grammar, such as Mathewson and Emig’s Intermediate Greek Grammar or Going Deeper with New Testament Greek by Merkle, Plummer, and Köstenberger, before tackling Reading Koine Greek.
That said, this book excels in verbal aspect theory. Decker follows the more modern approach of Stanley Porter, arguing that indicative verbs do not encode time at all but instead focus on aspect and proximity. After reading Mathewson and Emig, I find myself leaning toward this view rather than the middle-ground approach taken by Köstenberger, Merkle, and Plummer, who maintain that time is present in the indicative but secondary to aspect. Because of this, I still think Reading Koine Greek is worth owning for reference on verbal aspect theory and common Septuagint vocabulary, especially for those planning to read the LXX.
For example, if your church preaches from the Old Testament half the time throughout the year, you might consider reading from the Septuagint instead of the Hebrew text. This way, you can engage with Greek continuously rather than alternating between Greek NT and Hebrew OT.
Despite its difficulty, Reading Koine Greek earns 4 out of 5 stars for its depth, its insights into verbal aspect, and its lasting value as a reference work. While not the best starting point, it remains a valuable resource for those looking to advance beyond standard NT Greek grammars.
While the book is commendable for its depth, its ambition of teaching Koine Greek beyond NT texts may be unrealistic for most students. Even second-year students still working through the Greek NT might find the scope too broad. For this reason, I recommend that beginners start with a grammar focused exclusively on NT Greek, such as Merkle and Plummer’s Beginning with New Testament Greek.
For those who have already completed a first-year Greek course using a more accessible textbook, such as Bill Mounce’s Basics of Biblical Greek, Decker’s book may offer additional value. Personally, my prior experience with Mounce made Decker’s material more approachable, though many details still felt beyond my capability. Most students will likely benefit more from progressing from a beginner textbook to an intermediate grammar, such as Mathewson and Emig’s Intermediate Greek Grammar or Going Deeper with New Testament Greek by Merkle, Plummer, and Köstenberger, before tackling Reading Koine Greek.
That said, this book excels in verbal aspect theory. Decker follows the more modern approach of Stanley Porter, arguing that indicative verbs do not encode time at all but instead focus on aspect and proximity. After reading Mathewson and Emig, I find myself leaning toward this view rather than the middle-ground approach taken by Köstenberger, Merkle, and Plummer, who maintain that time is present in the indicative but secondary to aspect. Because of this, I still think Reading Koine Greek is worth owning for reference on verbal aspect theory and common Septuagint vocabulary, especially for those planning to read the LXX.
For example, if your church preaches from the Old Testament half the time throughout the year, you might consider reading from the Septuagint instead of the Hebrew text. This way, you can engage with Greek continuously rather than alternating between Greek NT and Hebrew OT.
Despite its difficulty, Reading Koine Greek earns 4 out of 5 stars for its depth, its insights into verbal aspect, and its lasting value as a reference work. While not the best starting point, it remains a valuable resource for those looking to advance beyond standard NT Greek grammars.
December 21, 2020
This is the textbook my professor uses for Elementary Greek in seminary and it taught me how to read Biblical Greek. I loved Decker’s style throughout and he truly made the language accessible and understandable. Having no other experiences with any other grammars, I’ve read tons of people say this one must be in the discussion as one of the best. Highly recommend.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews