I’ve gone through the book Greek For The Rest of Us by Mounce. It only goes into the alphabet, pronunciation (which set me back because I switched to Koine reconstruction) and basic grammar but it’s also very valuable for learning why translations are different, how to read commentaries and some exegesis lessons.
After that I read another commentary and still felt fairly lost because I have no vocabulary and the Mounce book is so helter skelter or it at least doesn’t conform to my anal retentive need for a systematic order that I’m still having a hard time grasping and retaining the grammar.
I found Machen’s New Testament Greek for Beginners at the library which looks great. It’s very systematic/deductive and includes vocabulary. I wrote about this on my other blog and surprisingly, Mike was looking in and suggested Clayton Croy’s Primer of Biblical Greek instead. If I go on, I will take his advice.
But how far do I want to go? I don’t have a goal because I don’t know what my goal should be. I don’t see myself becoming advanced enough to read Greek by itself. Will having an advanced beginner knowledge do me any good? I don’t want to take too much time away from other reading and Scripture memory (and time will obviously need to be spent reviewing, reading, pronunciation etc. on an ongoing basis because I won’t learn it only to forget it) but I have benefited from what I’ve already learned.
Proverbs 15:22
Plans fail for lack of counsel,
but with many advisers they succeed.
I learned Greek with Machen during my undergraduate days. If you elected to go with Machen, you can actually get an answer book, which gives you all the answers to the exercises. It’s compiled by Spiros Zodhiates. It’s out of print, so It may be a challenge to find. I found mine on half.com quite a few years ago. Croy’s primer is excellent too and I would dare to say a bit more accessible than Machen. For me, Machen’s grammar will always hold a special place in my heart. Happy studying!
I started out doing the Machen (1st Edition, there is a 2nd) until I realized he was using some Latin grammar stuff. Then Mike commented on the other blog. But as far as the answers they seemed self evident from what’s in the chapter, at least for the first chapter. Maybe it’s different later on.
How far have you gone with Greek?
Jeff
Most grammars these days have complementing workbooks, answers, etc - David Alan Black’s Learn to Read New Testament Greek is another to consider. Go as far as you want to. If you have a desire to read the NT with some level of comfort you can reach it if you want - learning the vocab will be key – maybe get one of the Readers versions that have vobab glosses at the bottom is worth considering getting. That way if there’s a word you’re not sure about you don’t have to dig it out of a lexicon. Learning the vocab is key and that just comes with time and effort, but if you like, go for it! Do it to the glory of God.
Maybe I should ask this question: What benefit will it be for me to learn advanced beginner to intermediate Greek? It seems so in-between. I can use an interlinear now or become advanced and really be able to comprehend, which I don’t think I can make a commitment to right now.
I can see myself learning vocabulary because I’ve been memorizing Scripture regularly for a long time. Although I know words need context so it may not be that easy.
Jeff
I’m doing really well at the moment. As with you, I also have only finished Mounce’s book. However, I can comfortably use and understand every technical commentary and discussion of the Greek that I have come across so far. I don’t feel a pressing need to master Greek, but I’m still interested in at least trying to complete a beginner’s grammar book at some point. I’d like to be able to read the New Testament in Greek, even if it is a reader’s edition. However, if I never spent another day learning Greek, it has beneficial to do just the small amount I’ve done so far. I’m excited to learn more though.
[cross posting in other blog too]
That seals it. I’m going to take the time. I might start after my next book order near the end of this month. Thanks for the comments.
Jeff
Good. Some look at a situation and ask “Why not?” others look at the same situation and ask “why?” I say look at learning Greek and ask “Why not?” Remember, its a long life – you have time, if you want, take your time.
Jeff, don’t stop until you can read through the entire NT, doing your own translation with comprehension. That was my goal.
Yeah but weren’t you in skool and stuff? How long did that take?
Jeff
Yeah, I had the discipline of skool. That’s true. But many have mastered the thing outside of a traditional classroom.
I once did a paper in college on John Templeton Strong, a guy that lived in early American History, he was a lawyer by trade, and once a Rector of a Church, he practially raced home after work and locked himself in his study so he could read Greek. You can learn it if you want – go for it!
I actually learn better on my own than in school. But in school that’s more your vocation (concentration of your time) at the time and have a young spongy mind.
Thanks for the encouragement Brian.
Jeff
Good stuff, Jeff. I also learn better on my own – you’re not the only one. And seriously, if I can learn it on top of my other study and the time blogging takes up, then anyone can.
If you have any questions about books to buy, I spent quite a bit of time researching things last spring. You can search my blog history, or just ask me for particulars in email or something. Please keep us updated with what books you are thinking of going with though!
Nathan, your post on March 30 is very helpful. I’m pretty sure I’m going with Croy’s A Primer of Biblical Greek because of what Mike recommends on my other blog, what Esteban said in your blog and because it goes into the LXX which is of interest to me.
I was also looking for a good English grammar book and saw the one you listed on your post–Essential English Grammar. Our library system has that so I’m going to go through it first unless you don’t like it.
Thanks.
Jeff
I loved the book (EEG). It was short, simple, and to the point. There were also concise review problems if you want to do them, but I skipped past them. It was nice to review the grammar quickly on a Saturday afternoon, and not a chore.
I’m glad you found that post helpful. I had forgotten about Esteban’s comments at the end, but I do remember thinking that resorting to the LXX would be something I would prefer to do. Also, the NETS version of the LXX is great and worth picking up IMO. I think it’s on Amazon for $24.