The form of Greek used by writers from Homer (8th century B.C.) through Plato (4th century B.C.) is called вЂњClassical Greek.вЂќД¬lassical Greek was a marvelous form of the language, capable of exact expression and subtle nuances. The earliest form of the language is called вЂњLinear BвЂќ (13th century B.C.). The Greek language has a long and rich history stretching all the way from the thirteenth century B.C. Sign up for the Basics of Biblical Greek online course Learn to read the Greek text of the New Testament The following Greek overview and intro to the basics comes directly from Bill MounceвЂ™s Basics of Biblical Greek course material: Set your goals high and keep them in sight. How far do you want your ministry to go? The tools you collect, Greek being one of them, will to a significant degree determine your success from a human point of view. John Wesley, perhaps one of the most effective ministers ever to mount a horse, was able to quote Scripture in Greek better than in English. The point of all this is to emphasize that you must think through why you want to learn Greek, and then you must keep your goal in sight at all times. When Jesus says of communion, вЂDrink ye all of itвЂ™ (Matt 26:27 KJV), what does the вЂallвЂ™ refer to? All the drink, or all the people? When Paul writes to the Ephesians that it is вЂby grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not of yourselves it is a gift from GodвЂ™ (Eph 2:8), what does вЂitвЂ™ refer to? When Paul asks, вЂDo all speak in tongues?вЂ™ (1 Cor 12:30), is he implying that the answer is вЂYesвЂ™? Without the proper tools you are limited in your ability to deal with the text. The same is true with preaching, teaching, and preparing Bible studies. The point is, without the proper tools you run the risk of doing a minimal job, and perhaps actually hurting the engine. Without a torque wrench you cannot get the head seated properly. Without a socket wrench you could ruin many of the bolts. What tools will you select? I would surmise that with a screw driver, hammer, a pair of pliers, and perhaps a crow bar, you could make some progress. ThereвЂ™s a wealth of awesome resources available to help pastors and preachers understand GodвЂ™s Word, and it would be unfair to claim that the only way to be a good expositor of Scripture is to learn Greek.Д«ill Mounce, New Testament Greek scholar and instructor for the Zondervan Academic Basics of Biblical Greek course, offers a helpful insight into the importance of learning biblical Greek: Each student must come to the place where they believe that learning Greek is truly worth the effort. If youвЂ™re unsure of the answer to this question, learning Greek will be a struggle. Is understanding Greek essential for having a clearer, more exact, and more persuasive presentation of GodвЂ™s saving message? For Students Pursue a deeper knowledge of God through self-paced college- and seminary-level online courses in Old and New Testament studies, theology, biblical Greek, and more.For Instructors and School Administrators Enhance your schoolвЂ™s traditional and online education programs by easily integrating online courses developed from the scholars and textbooks you trust.

Greek alphabet with english equivalent