Traditional Greek grammars are based on the philological method that assumes meaning resides in single words and that learning a language consists of memorising vocabulary and nominal and verbal paradigms. The linguistic method, developed during the twentieth century, argues that meaning resides in units of speech, like sentences, not in single words, and that what is needed to learn a language is familiarity with its basic sentence patterns (its syntax), not memorisation of vocabulary lists.

Originally published in three volumes in 1973, Robert Funk’s classic Beginning-Intermediate Grammar of Hellenistic Greek utilises the insights of modern linguistics in its presentation of the basic features of ancient Greek grammar. Since modern linguistics aims to be descriptive, rather than prescriptive, Funk’s Grammar highlights the bread-and-butter features of New Testament Greek, rather than how it deviates from classical Greek.

Now redesigned and reformatted for ease of use, this single-volume third edition makes Funk’s ground-breaking work available once more. Students who use this Grammar will learn how to read Greek in one year, rather than having to depend on ponies or interlinear editions of the Greek New Testament.