"Prepositions and Theology in the Greek New Testament"

TITLE: Prepositions and Theology in the Greek New Testament: An Essential Reference Resource for Exegesis
AUTHOR: Murray Harris
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2012, (304 pages).

This reference work is not about prepositions or about theology. It is about how the use of prepositions has contributed to the theological framework at various locations in the Greek New Testament. While it covers all 17 "proper" and 42 "improper" NT prepositions, the key emphasis in this book as about the theological significance the prepositions are presenting. Harris makes sure that the theological and literary contexts are addressed, together with the linguistic exercises needed to clarify the texts. While one needs to learn the "Big Four" of Greek grammar, namely, the aorist, the genitive case, the article, and the prepositions, the author feels that in order to "master" an in-depth knowledge of the Greek, one needs to master the prepositional system. In short, a preposition is a small word that ties relationships among words. Where it is placed, before or after the word makes a world of difference. What makes this study refreshing is the theological significance revealed after doing all the heavy lifting of word by word exegesis.

Murray takes special care to differentiate his book from the BDAG or the traditional textbooks on Greek grammar which focuses on the grammar. He gives a fascinating overview of the development of the Greek language.

1. Ancient Greek (as in the days of Homer)
2. Classical Greek from 450-330 BC;
3. Hellenistic/Koine Greek from 330BC to 330AD (also known as biblical Greek);
4. Medieval/Byzantine Greek from AD330 to 1453;
5. Modern Greek (AD1453 to present).

Then he dives into the structures and meanings of prepositions. Using a cube, the 17 "proper" prepositions:

• moving into (through, into, toward)
• Moving out of (away from, out of)
• On top (around, above, upon)
• Outside (with, in front of, opposite, beside)
• Inside (in)
• Under
• Up, Down.

When exegeting the grammar, care needs to be taken for the meaning of the preposition itself, the significance of the case used with the preposition, the context, and any irregular usage. Even as Murray highlights the many nuances and the details of each type of preposition, he cautions readers from becoming too eager in analyzing the details. He points out five dangers; first, the tendency to define each distinction too rigidly; second, failing to understand the style of the writer; third, missing the meaning for the style; four, missing out double meanings; and five, neglect of significant prepositions.

He then provides a chapter by chapter description of all the prepositions in the Greek NT, complete with examples and scriptural references. What is really helpful is the conscious effort of Murray to explicitly bring out the significance of each preposition. In some ways, the book reads like a concise commentary for the biblical texts chosen to highlight each preposition. For instance, in the exegesis of Hebrews 12:2, the grammar is an effective argument against any interpretation that Jesus died on the cross for the sake of receiving a heavenly reward. Rather, it is a conscious choice of willingly enduring the suffering on earth, instead of the heavenly joy. The former interpretation points to Jesus having a purpose of getting rewarded. The latter instead suggests to Jesus' love that overcomes all manner of personal gain or reward. It is a willing giving up of self-privilege or advantage that is the key meaning. Page after page, there are meanings and theological underpinnings that not only brings out profound insights of the Greek writers, it makes the study of Greek very interesting. Through examples, illustrations, comparison with other pericopes of the New Testament, this reference book is a big boon for the Christian world. I highly recommend this book for students of Greek, as well as anyone who needs to exegete the Greek texts on a regular basis. I wish I had this text when I was studying Greek.


Rating: 5 stars of 5.

conrade

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This book is provided to me free by Zondervan and NetGalley without any obligation for a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.