Devotions on the Greek New Testament: 52 Reflections to Inspire and Instruct ed. by Paul N. Jackson

Abstract

Reviewed by: Devotions on the Greek New Testament: 52 Reflections to Inspire and Instruct ed. by Paul N. Jackson Thomas Esposito paul n. jackson (ed.), Devotions on the Greek New Testament: 52 Reflections to Inspire and Instruct, vol. 2 (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2017). Pp. 189. Paper $18.99. Following the first Devotions on the Greek New Testament (2012) and Devotions on the Hebrew Bible (2015), this volume provides fresh meditations on individual words, verses, and passages from the Greek text of the NT. The editor, Paul N. Jackson, notes in the introduction that this second volume features "more international and female scholars" (p. 12). The authors, primarily professors at Protestant seminaries and congregations from diverse denominations, begin their meditations with technical considerations of verb tense, syntax, and other grammatical points and move from those technical principles to theological and pastoral considerations. Each book of the NT is the subject of at least one devotion. Though the styles and approaches vary, there is a pleasant and eclectic blend of scholar-speak and evangelical exhortation woven throughout these reflections. The best advertisement for this book is a sampling of representative and insightful devotions. Holly Beers reflects on the present-tense verbs didōmi and apodidōmi used by Zacchaeus in Luke 19:8. While most English translations render the verbs in the future tense, Zacchaeus could simply be expressing his customary and current pattern of giving to the poor. Beers suggests that the present-tense verbs, coupled with the lack of any call to [End Page 361] Zacchaeus on the part of Jesus to repent, imply that Jesus is vindicating Zacchaeus's actions rather than accepting his future pledges (pp. 44-46). Ray Van Neste offers a detailed word study of deilia, affirming that it should be translated in 2 Tim 1:7 as "cowardice" and not "fear" or "timidity" (pp. 119-20). Todd Still notes the complicated history of the doxology in Rom 16:25-27, which he describes as "floating" and "dislocated" given its various placements and omissions in the manuscript tradition of Romans (p. 66). From this text-critical difficulty, Still draws an eloquent spiritual conclusion: "What is true of Romans in particular is no less true of the Christian life in general—during hard times, a doxology can sometimes seem out of place. … Whatever comes our way, may we never be found wanting for an appropriate doxology" (p. 67). Two intriguing reflections base themselves on changes made in the newest critical edition of the Greek NT, the 28th edition of Nestle-Aland. Peter H. Davids highlights how the editors of NA28 introduce an ouk into 2 Pet 3:10, thus radically changing the sense of how "the earth and everything will [or will not!] be found out" on the day of the Lord (pp. 140-42). Christopher A. Beetham emphasizes the editorial switch from Kyrios to Iēsous in Jude 5 regarding the one who "saved a people from the land of Egypt." He then comments on the typological parallel in 1 Cor 10:1-4 concerning the preexistent Christ and his role in the exodus. While most text-critical decisions are not terribly weighty in their theological import, Beetham stresses that "in this case the implications are staggering, contentious, and exciting" (p. 154). Given its emphasis on the practical and evangelical applications of nitty-gritty grammatical details, the book is an ideal supplement for an introductory or intermediate Greek course. Beginning students languishing in the dark wood of Greek verb forms and syntax will (one hopes!) find encouragement in realizing that apparently tedious concepts can demonstrate a theological point when properly understood and applied. Veteran teachers of Greek and preachers of the gospel will also benefit from these meditations, since plenty of neat insights are available on specific words, syntax, and translation issues that one might never have pondered before. Thomas Esposito O. Cist., University of Dallas, Irving, TX 75039 Copyright © 2019 The Catholic Biblical Association of America