ADVANCED GREEK GRAMMAR (NTGK 6393)

New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

Biblical Studies Division
Dr. Bill Warren, Landrum P. Leavell, II, Professor of NT and Greek
Spring Semester, 2016
Office: Hardin 260 Phone: ext. 8190/3735
E-Mail: Wwarren@nobts.edu Ph.D. Assistant: Katie Morgan
NOBTS MISSION STATEMENT:
The mission of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary is to equip leaders to fulfill the Great
Commission and the Great Commandments through the local church and its ministries.

COURSE PURPOSE, CORE VALUE FOCUS, AND CURRICULUM COMPETENCIES:

New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary has five core values: Doctrinal Integrity, Spiritual Vitality,
Mission Focus, Characteristic Excellence, and Servant Leadership. These values shape both the context
and manner in which all curricula are taught, with “doctrinal integrity” and “academic excellence”
especially highlighted in this course. The seminary is emphasizing the core value of “spirituality
vitality” this year and encourages all to focus especially on that facet. The core value focus for 2015-16
is “Mission Focus.”

NOBTS also has seven basic competencies that guide our Masters degree programs: Biblical
Exposition, Christian Theological Heritage, Disciple Making, Interpersonal Skills, Servant Leadership,
Spiritual and Character Formation, and Worship Leadership. This course especially addresses the
“Biblical Exposition” competency by helping the student learn to interpret the Bible accurately.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The purpose of this course is to introduce the student to the study of Greek syntax. Translation and
vocabulary skills will be developed by daily translation of selected New Testament passages, but the
main focus of the course is the analysis of the passage from the perspective of syntax. Intermediate
Greek Grammar or its equivalent is a prerequisite for this course.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:

The objectives of this course include the following:
1. Students should understand the categories and functions of Greek syntax
2. Students should gain an increased appreciation for how the study of Greek enhances Biblical
interpretation
3. Students should acquire the ability to analyze syntactical relationships in a Greek text and apply
this analysis to sound interpretation of the text

COURSE TEACHING METHODS:

This course will be taught via a combination of pedagogical methods, including but not limited to the
following: lectures, student assignments, small group work, computer resources, textbook reviews, and
student presentations in class. Both inductive and deductive approaches to learning Greek grammar and
syntax will be utilized.

TEXTBOOKS:
James A. Brooks and Carlton L. Winbery, Syntax of New Testament Greek
Daniel Wallace, Greek Grammar Beyond the Basics: An Exegetical Syntax of the NT
The Greek New Testament (UBS GNT 5th ed. or Nestle-Aland Novum Testamentum 28th ed.)
One of the following commentaries on Philippians:
1) Peter Obrien, Philippians, NIGTC; 2) Gordon Fee, Philippians, NICNT; or 3) Gerald Hawthorne &
Ralph Martin, Philippians, Word Biblical Commentary.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND GRADING:
(1) Review/Summary cards. The student is required to prepare summary cards of the items studied in
the course. These cards will be reviewed periodically by the professor, then returned to the student. The
cards should be typed (the Greek may be hand written) and of such a size that they may be kept inside
the cover of the G.N.T. for reference use both during the course and beyond. 20%
(2) Class participation, written assignments, and commentary readings. The student is expected to do
the exercises assigned for each day and to be able to translate the assigned text when called upon. Also,
readings from a Greek-language based commentary must be done on the assigned passages, with
students assigned certain days for leading the commentary discussion. 15%
(3) Two sectional exams will cover especially the material studied within that course section. 20% each
(4) The final exam is comprehensive. 25%
ASSIGNMENTS: (B-W = Brooks and Winbery, W = Wallace)
DATE TOPIC
Week 1: Jan. 19 Introduction to the course. Introduction to syntax.
21 Types of Greek sentences. B-W, 154-163; W, 1-30. Philip. 1:1-2

Week 2: Jan 26 Syntax of the nominative and vocative cases. B-W, 1-7 and 64; W, 31-71, Diagram Phil. 1:1-2
28 Syntax of the genitive and ablatival genitive case. B-W, 8-31; W, 72-136. Phil. 1:3-6

Week 3: Feb. 2 Syntax of the genitive and ablatival genitive case. B-W, 8-31; W, 72-136. Phil. 1:7-11
Feb. 4 Syntax of the dative case. B-W, 31-37; W, 137-175. Diagram Phil. 1:3-11

Week 4: Feb. 9 MARDI GRAS—no class

11 Syntax of the locative and instrumental cases. B-W, 37-49. Phil. 1:12-16

Week 5: Feb. 16 Syntax of the locative and instrumental cases. B-W, 37-49. Phil. 1:16-20
18 Syntax of the accusative case. B-W, 49-63; W, 176-205. Phil. 1:21-26

Week 6: Feb. 23 Syntax of the accusative case. B-W, 49-63; W, 176-205. Phil. 1:27-2:4
25 Syntax of the noun, adjective, article and pronoun. B-W, 70-80; W, 206-389. Phil. 2:5-11

Week 7: Mar. 1 Review

Mar. 3 SECTIONAL EXAM

Week 8: Mar. 8 Syntax of the present tense. B-W, 82-90; W, 494-539, Phil. 2:11-15
10 Syntax of the imperfect tense. B-W, 90-95; W, 540-553, Phil. 2:16-18

Week 9: Mar. 22 Syntax of the future and aorist tense. B-W, 95-104; W, 554-571, Phil 2:19-22
24 Syntax of the perfect and pluperfect tenses. B-W, 104-109; W, 572-586. Phil 2:23-26

Week 10: Mar. 29 Syntax of voice and the indicative mood. B-W, 109-117; W, 390-447. Phil. 2:27-30
Mar. 31 Review

Week 11: Apr. 5 Syntax of the subjunctive mood. B-W, 118-127; W, 448-84, Phil. 3:1-6:
7 SECTIONAL EXAM

Week 12: Apr. 12 Syntax of the optative mood. B-W, 118-127; W, 448-84, Phil. 3:7-11
14 Syntax of the imperative mood. B-W, 127-130; W, 485-493, Phil. 3:12-16

Week 13: Apr. 19 Syntax of infinitives. B-W, 131-143; W, 587-611, Phil 3:17-4:1
21 Syntax of infinitives. B-W, 131-143; W, 587-611. Phil. 4:2-4:5

Week 14: Apr. 26 Syntax of participles. B-W, 143-152; W, 612-655. Phil. 4:6-10
28 Syntax of participles. B-W, 143-152; W, 612-655. Phil. 4:11-17

Week 15: May. 3 Clauses in the subject. B-W, 163-186; W, 656-725. Phil. 4:18-23
5 Syntax and exegesis: how to gain the most from it. Review

Week 16: May 10-12 FINAL EXAMS

 SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY
Greek Syntax
Balme, Maurice, & Gilbert Lawall. Athenaze: An Introduction to Ancient Greek, Books I-II. New York: Oxford, 1990, 1991.
Blass, F. and A. DeBrunner. A Greek Grammar of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature. Trans. Robert
Funk. University of Chicago, 1961
Brooks, James, and Carlton Winbery. Syntax of New Testament Greek. Lanham, MD: University Press of America, 1979.
Burton, E. D.W. Syntax of the Moods and Tenses in New Testament Greek. London: T. & T. Clark, 3rd. ed. 1898.
Carson, D. A. A Student's Manual of New Testament Greek Accents. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1985.
Dana, H. E. and J. R. Mantey. A Manual Grammar of the Greek NT. MacMillan, 1927.
Dover, K. J. Greek Word Order. London: Bristol Classical Press, 2000.
Fanning, Buist M. Verbal Aspect in New Testament Greek. New York: Oxford University Press, 1990.
Goodwin, W. Syntax of the Moods and Tenses of the Greek Verb. 2005 reprint, 1875 original. Boston: Elibron Classics, 2005.
McKay, K. L. A New Syntax of the Verb in New Testament Greek : An Aspectual Approach. New York: Peter Lang, 1994.
Moule, C. F. D. An Idiom Book of the New Testament Greek. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1963.
Nunn, H. P. V. A Short Syntax of New Testament Greek. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 5th ed. 1938.
Porter, Stanley E. Verbal Aspect in the Greek of the New Testament. New York: Peter Lang, 1989.
Porter, Stanley, and D. A. Carson, Eds. Biblical Greek Language and Linguistics. Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 1993.
Probert, Philomen. A New Short Guide to the Accentuation of Ancient Greek. London: Bristol Classical Press, 2007.
Robertson, A. T. A Grammar of the Greek New Testament in the Light of Historical Research. Nashville: Broadman, 1934.
Turner, Nigel. A Grammar of New Testament Greek: Vol III Syntax. London: T. & T. Clark. 1963
Wallace, Daniel. Greek Grammar Beyond the Basics: an Exegetical Syntax of the NT. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996.
Young, Richard A. Intermediate New Testament Greek: A Linguistic and Exegetical Approach. Nashville: Broadman, 1994.
Exegetical Works on Philippians
Alexander, Loveday. Hellenistic Letter-Forms and the Structure of Philippians. JSNT 37 (1989): 87-101.
Black, David Alan. The Discourse Structure of Philippians: A Study in Textlinguistics. NovT 37 (1995): 16-49.
________. Paul, Apostle of Weakness: Astheneia and Its Cognates in the Pauline Literature. New York: Lang, 1984.
Bloomquist, L. G. The Function of Suffering in Philippians. JSNTSup, 78. Sheffield: JSOT, 1993.
Bockmuehl, Markus. A Commentator’s Approach to the “Effective History” of Philippians. JSNT 60 (1995): 57-88.
Capizzi, N. Soteriologia in Fil 2:6-11? Greg 81 (2000): 221-48.
Collins, Adela Yarbro. Psalms, Philippians 2:6-11, and the Origins of Christology. BibInt 11 (2003): 361-72.
Craddock, F. B. Philippians. Atlanta: Knox, 1985.
Croy, N. Clayton. “To Die Is Gain” (Philippians 1:19-26): Does Paul Contemplate Suicide? JBL 122 (2003): 517-31.
________. Oral Biblical Criticism: The Influence of the Principles of Orality on the Literary Structure of Paul’s Epistle to
the Philippians. JSNTSup, 172. Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 1999.
de Vos, Craig Steven. Church and Community Conflicts: The Relationships of the Thessalonian, Corinthian, and Philippian
Churches with Their Wider Civic Communities. SBLDS 168. Atlanta: Scholars Press, 1999.
Doble, Peter. “Vile Bodies” or Transformed Persons?: Philippians 3.21 in Context. JSNT 86 (2002): 3-27.
Doughty, D. J. Citizens of Heaven: Philippians 3.2-21. NTS 41 (1995): 102-22.
Fee, Gordon D., Paul's Letter to the Philippians, Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1995.
________. Philippians 2:5-11: Hymn or Exalted Pauline Prose? BBR 2 (1992): 29-46.
Fowl, S. E. The Story of Christ in the Ethics of Paul: An Analysis of the Function of the Hymnic Material in the Pauline
Corpus. JSNTSup, 36. Sheffield: JSOT, 1990.
________. Cruciformity: Paul's Narrative Spirituality of the Cross. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2001.
Hawthorne, Gerald, & Ralph Martin. Philippians, Revised Ed. Word Biblical Commentaries. Waco: Thomas Nelson, 2004.
Koperski, V. Textlinguistics and the Integrity of Philippians: A Critique of Wolfgang Schenk’s Arguments for a Compilation
Hypothesis. ETL 68 (1992): 331-67.
________. The Meaning of “Pistis Christou” in Philippians 3:9. LS 18 (1993): 198-216.
________. The Knowledge of Christ Jesus My Lord: The High Christology of Phil 3:7-11. CBET, 16. Kampen: Pharos, 1996.
Luter, A., and M. Lee. Philippians as Chiasmus: Key to the Structure, Unity and Theme Questions. NTS 41 (1995): 89-101.
Martin, Ralph P. A Hymn of Christ: Philippians 2:5-11 in Recent Interpretation and in the Setting of Early Christian
Worship. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 1997.
________. The Epistle of Paul to the Philippians. Eerdmans, 2007.
________. Tyndale New Testament Commentaries: Philippians. InterVarsity, 2009.
Martin, R. P., and B. J. Dodd, eds. Where Christology Began: Essays on Philippians 2. Louisville: Westminster Knox, 1998.
McLean, B. Hudson. The Cursed Christ: Mediterranean Expulsion Rituals and Pauline Soteriology. JSNT Sup, 126;
Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 1996.
McRay, John. Paul: His Life and Teaching. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2003.
Melick, Richard, Jr., The New American Commentary, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon. Nashville: Broadman, 1991.
O’Brien, Peter. The Epistle to the Philippians: A Commentary on the Greek Text. NIGTC. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1991.
Otto, R. E. If Possible I May Attain the Resurrection from the Dead (Philippians 3:11). CBQ 57 (1995): 324-40.
Perkins, Pheme. Christology, Friendship and Status: The Rhetoric of Philippians. SBLASP 26 (1987): 509-20.
Perriman, Andrew C. The Pattern of Christ’s Sufferings: Colossians 1:24 and Philippians 3:10-11. TynBul 42 (1991): 62-79.
Peterlin, D. Paul’s Letter to the Philippians in the Light of Disunity in the Church. NovTSup, 79. Leiden: Brill, 1995.
Peterman, G. W. Paul’s Gift from Philippi: Conventions of Gift-Exchange and Christian Giving. SNTSMS, 92. Cambridge:
Cambridge University, 1997.
Porter, Stanley, and Jeffrey Reed. Philippians as a Macro-Chiasm and Its Exegetical Significance. NTS 44 (1998): 213-31.
Pretorius, E. Role Models for a Model Church: Typifying Paul’s Letter to the Philippians. Neot 32 (1998): 547-71.
Reed, Jeffrey T. Philippians 3:1 and the Epistolary Hesitation Formulas: The Literary Integrity of Philippians, Again.
JBL 115 (1996): 63-90.
________. A Discourse Analysis of Philippians: Method and Rhetoric in the Debate Over Literary Integrity. JSNTSup, 136.
Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 1997.
Reeves, R. R. To Be or Not To Be? That Is Not the Question: Paul’s Choice in Philippians 1:22. PRSt 19 (1992): 273-89.
Reumann, J. Contributions of the Philippian Community to Paul and to Earliest Christianity. NTS 39 (1993): 438-57.
Silva, M. Philippians. Chicago: Moody, 1988.
Skeat, T. C. Did Paul Write to “Bishops and Deacons” at Philippi?: A Note on Philippians 1:1. NovT 37 (1995): 12-5.
Sprague, William. Paul’s Servant-Lord Analogy for the Relationship of a Believer to Christ. Lanham: UPofA, 2000.
Thekkekara, M. A Neglected Idiom in an Overstudied Passage (Phil 2:6-8). LS 17 (1992): 306-14.
Williams, David J. Paul’s Metaphors: Their Context and Character. Peabody: Hendrickson, 1999.
Williams, Demetrius. Enemies of the Cross of Christ: The Terminology of the Cross and Conflict in Philippians. JSNTSup
223. London: Sheffield, 2002.
Witherington, Ben. Paul’s Narrative Thought World: The Tapestry of Tragedy and Triumph. Louisville: Westminster, 1994.
Wortham, R. A. Christology as Community Identity in the Philippians Hymn: The Philippians Hymn as Social Drama
(Philippians 2:5-11). PRSt 23 (1996): 269-87.
Young, Norman H. An Aristophanic Contrast to Philippians 2.6-7. NTS 45 (1999): 153-55.