Scriptural Greek Resources

Qui autem putat minorem fructum gloriae ex Graecis versibus capi quam ex Latinis, errat, quod Graecae litterae leguntur in omnibus fere gentibus sed Latinae litterae suis finibus continentur. M. Tullius Cicero.

Catholic Issues Scriptural Greek

General

Scriptural Greek, or Koine Greek, is that form of Greek found almost exclusively in the New Testament. Because virtually all of the New Testament was first written in Koine Greek, its importance for advanced studies of God's Holy Word can scarcely be exaggerated. Greek was also the predominant theological language of the entire Catholic Church through the 5th century A.D., and perdured in the Eastern Churches for another five hundred years.

John 1: 1-5

Grammars & Dictionaries

An old saying holds that when 10 Greek teachers gather, 11 Greek grammars will be written. There is truly a plethora of materials available for students of Greek, and in the end, personal preferences should prevail. Among the materials available, though, the following basic resources are worth considering.

1. William Mounce, Basics of Biblical Greek. Assumes no knowledge of Latin, and little of English grammar. Spends a bit much time giving biblical incentives to (Protestant) students to study Scriptural Greek, and at times winds through some obscure etymologies, but for all that, a well-designed and executed text. Designed for use with a workbook and later a more advanced reader.

2. Clayton Croy, A Primer of Biblical Greek. Assumes no knowledge of Latin, more direct address of grammar, but somewhat shy in the way of charts, etc.

3. R. W. Moore, Comparative Greek and Latin Syntax. For more advanced students, but contains many very illuminative observations on similarities and differences in the classical versions of these two languages.

4. Donald Mastronarde, Introduction to Attic Greek. An excellent beginning text for those wishing to gain a better understanding of the great classical authors.

5. Jim Found, Basic Greek In 30 Minutes a Day. Perhaps the most rudimentary of the grammars suggested, this book is ideal for a solo learner.

6. Langenscheidt's Pocket Greek Dictionary: Classical Greek-English. Besides an impressive listing of Attic words, this dictionary does contain all the vocabulary needed to read the New Testament in Greek.

7. "The Greek Verb System", a superb, suitable-for-framing, 22" x 14" color-coded chart, available from Dallas Theological Seminary Book Room, 3909 Swiss Avenue, Dallas, TX 75204.