Opinions on at home Greek study

[Washad]

Hello all. First I apologize if this has been addressed before, but I did not see it with the search button. I was hoping to get your opinions on learning Greek at home through online resources. I know that ideally one should attend Bible college or seminary for this but frankly that is not an option right now. I saw a website “free Greek for all” that has both video and written studies Which they state would allow a person to read 90% of the Greek New Testament without study aid. What I saw appeared similar to the Mounces books I had in Bible college at least the written portion. Do you think this is a viable option for someone with limited resources and time or should I just stick to concordances and dictionary as I have been?
Also, if self study is not totally out of the question and you know of any free resources, seminary courses (free), that you feel would be a better use of my time and sufficient to at least get me started I would appreciate it.

 

[Deacon]

Go for it!
It’s not ideal but it’s better than nothing.

IMO one can get through the first year Greek quite ably with resources available in books and online.
Will it be as good as attending an in-person class?
Surely not, but if you can’t attend class due to working restraints and/or you can’t afford the cost, it’s a worthy alternative.

Rob

 

[Marooncat79]

Learning the basics is never wrong

it when you’ve been studying Greek 3-6? Months and want to rewrite the NT for “clarity”, or to do so thinking that it automatically qualifies you to be a scholar (as in wanting to prove a point that may not be there- as is the drive of some in learning it)

best wishes, and it’s groovey that you are excited about a new journey!
Maybe there will be a local pastor friend who can assist you and encourage you here

 

[Washad]

Thank you both. It seems beneficial to me especially for my limited purposes. Sometimes I see threads that would almost seem to discourage the pursuit unless a certain curriculum or set amount of college/seminary hours are able to be obtained. Proficiency can be hard to determine depending on what standard you use but I am not wanting to retranslate the Word. I just want to see those “nuances” that I hear about so often and maybe read it aloud for a sense of what what it might have just sounded like to the original hearers. Thank you for the encouragement.

 

[Mikey]

Hello all. First I apologize if this has been addressed before, but I did not see it with the search button. I was hoping to get your opinions on learning Greek at home through online resources. I know that ideally one should attend Bible college or seminary for this but frankly that is not an option right now. I saw a website “free Greek for all” that has both video and written studies Which they state would allow a person to read 90% of the Greek New Testament without study aid. What I saw appeared similar to the Mounces books I had in Bible college at least the written portion. Do you think this is a viable option for someone with limited resources and time or should I just stick to concordances and dictionary as I have been?
Also, if self study is not totally out of the question and you know of any free resources, seminary courses (free), that you feel would be a better use of my time and sufficient to at least get me started I would appreciate it.

Hi Washed,

I agree with what the others have said, go for it!

Here's some links to bible college or Seminary courses all for FREE

Biblical Training
Free Online Bible Classes | BiblicalTraining.org: Free Online Bible Classes

BiblicalTraining is a team of Christian educators, pastors, and authors who have come together to provide high-quality comprehensive biblical training for Christians worldwide.

Biblical Training has Greek Language Courses taught by Bill Mounce too! Biblical Languages - Subjects | Free Online Bible Classes: BiblicalTraining.org

(There are also paid Cerificates options offered aswell)

Reformed Baptist Seminary
Reformed Baptist Seminary

Audit Seminary Courses for Free

 

[Washad]

Hello Mikey. Thank you for taking the time to get the links on here. I do like the structure of a classroom setting so I will definitely be checking these out.

 

[Van]

Hello all. First I apologize if this has been addressed before, but I did not see it with the search button. I was hoping to get your opinions on learning Greek at home through online resources. I know that ideally one should attend Bible college or seminary for this but frankly that is not an option right now. I saw a website “free Greek for all” that has both video and written studies Which they state would allow a person to read 90% of the Greek New Testament without study aid. What I saw appeared similar to the Mounces books I had in Bible college at least the written portion. Do you think this is a viable option for someone with limited resources and time or should I just stick to concordances and dictionary as I have been?
Also, if self study is not totally out of the question and you know of any free resources, seminary courses (free), that you feel would be a better use of my time and sufficient to at least get me started I would appreciate it.

I have no advice as to whether it is a good idea for you to study Greek at home to improve your understanding of God's word. In addition to "Exhaustive Concordances" for your study bible versions, I would recommend using a reverse interlinear with the transliterated Greek parsed. I use the on line "Blue letter" bible, but I wish I had an exhaustive concordance and reverse interlinear for my NASB, as that would aid me, or so I suspect.

May God bless you with enhanced understanding as you study God's word.

Van

 

[Washad]

Thank you for your suggestions Van. I have an exhaustive concordance. I was just looking at a reverse interlinear this weekend and am going to save up for it. I do use the blue letter Bible so I am glad to know someone else who is getting the benefit of that program.

 

[Piper]

I think that you can study online, but it should be a reputable source, like the one linked by Mikey. I have studied Greek for 5 years in a formal setting, and 30 more years on my own, and the formal training was absolutely basic, as I was able to ask questions, discuss things and get encouragement from fellow students and teachers.

But I think you can do that online, if you are self-disciplined.

 

[Washad]

Thanks Piper. I had wondered about early formal training and building on that foundation on my own. I have thought that it would be good to get that immediate feedback from formal training but it is good to know that someone with that background thinks it is possible to begin this way. I appreciate that you added “if you are self disciplined”. I trust I will be when I take the step to sign up. I tend to do better when it is something I really want to do. Definitely leaning towards the programs Mikey linked.