Navigating Tough Texts

Why are there so many verses in the New Testament that are difficult for modern English speakers to understand? Is it because they were originally written in Greek and reflect distinctive Jewish or Roman customs and thinking? What does it mean when Jesus of Nazareth says, "Do not throw your pearls before pigs!" or addresses his friend Peter with the words, "Get away behind me, Satan," or directs his disciples, "If you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one"? Or why would Paul of Tarsus claim that the risen Jesus appeared to him "as to an untimely fetus," and why did this Paul not encourage tithing as a Christian obligation or vigorously condemn the first century's widespread slavery?

Do not despair! Help is available. Harris has written three volumes, all here indexed, that shed light on many "Tough Texts" scattered throughout the New Testament. He is a recognized authority on the Hellenistic Greek of the New Testament, having authored the standard work on Prepositions and Theology in the Greek New Testament and a commentary on the Greek text of 2 Corinthians. He was also a member of the Committee on Bible Translation that produced the New International Version (NIV).