Introduction to Biblical (Koine) Greek

Overview

Overview This five-month course offers an immersive introduction to Koine Greek, the language of the New Testament and early Christian writings. Designed for beginners, the course will equip students with essential linguistic skills to read, translate, and understand Biblical texts. Through a blend of grammatical instruction, vocabulary building, and practical translation exercises, learners will

Course Description

Course Description: Five-Month Biblical (Koine) Greek Course

Overview

This five-month course offers an immersive introduction to Koine Greek, the language of the New Testament and early Christian writings. Designed for beginners, the course will equip students with essential linguistic skills to read, translate, and understand Biblical texts. Through a blend of grammatical instruction, vocabulary building, and practical translation exercises, learners will gain a solid foundation in Koine Greek, enhancing their engagement with Scripture and theological studies.

Course Objectives

By the end of the course, students will:

• Recognize and pronounce the Greek alphabet and its phonetics.

• Understand the basic grammatical structure of Koine Greek, including noun declensions and verb conjugations.

• Translate simple Biblical texts, including selected passages from the New Testament.

• Grasp key vocabulary and phrases relevant to Biblical studies.

• Develop skills to analyze and interpret Greek syntax and grammar.

Course Structure

Duration: Five months
Format: Weekly classes combining lectures, group discussions, and hands-on translation practice
Materials: Recommended textbooks, online resources, and access to Biblical texts in Koine Greek
Evaluation: Quizzes, participation, and a final project involving the translation of a selected passage.

Monthly Breakdown

• Month 1: Introduction to Greek Language

  • Emphasis on the Greek alphabet, pronunciation, and foundational concepts of nouns and cases.

  • Introduction to basic sentence structures.

• Month 2: Verbs and Conjugation

  • Focus on verb forms, present tense conjugations, and essential vocabulary.

  • Introduction to imperative and infinitive forms and their usage in sentences.

• Month 3: Building Sentences

  • Exploration of adjectives, adverbs, and the formation of complex sentences.

  • Expansion on verb tenses, including the future tense.

• Month 4: Complex Grammar Structures

  • Introduction to participles, perfect tense, aorist tense, and conditional sentences.

  • Increased emphasis on reading and translating passages from the New Testament.

• Month 5: Application and Advanced Concepts

  • Overview of Greek syntax and advanced reading strategies.

  • Final assessments and project presentations, focusing on translation and interpretation of Biblical texts.

Target Audience

This course is suitable for anyone interested in deepening their understanding of the New Testament, including theology students, pastors, scholars, and laypersons eager to engage with Biblical texts in their original language.

Benefits

Students will not only acquire a foundational understanding of Koine Greek but also develop critical thinking and analytical skills applicable in theological reflection, Biblical exegesis, and scholarly research. Through direct engagement with Scripture, participants will enhance their spiritual growth and comprehension of the historical and cultural context of early Christianity.

Embark on this enriching journey into the language that shaped the New Testament and discover the depths of Biblical texts in their original form!

What you will learn

Requirements

Here’s a clear list of requirements for a 5-month Biblical (Koine) Greek course, covering prerequisites, materials, time commitment, and skills needed to succeed:

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1. Prerequisites

• No prior Greek knowledge required, but familiarity with:

  • English grammar (parts of speech, verb tenses, cases).

  • Basic Biblical terms (helpful but not mandatory).

• Commitment to daily practice (30–60 minutes minimum).

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2. Required Materials

• Textbook: Choose one:

  • Basics of Biblical Greek (Mounce) – most common.

  • Learn New Testament Greek (Dobson) – simplified approach.

  • Living Koine Greek (B. H. Soderberg) – natural method.

• Tools:

  • Greek New Testament (UBS5 or Nestle-Aland).

  • Flashcards (Anki or physical cards) for vocabulary.

  • Notebook for parsing/translation exercises.

• Optional but helpful:

  • Greek-English lexicon (BDAG or free online versions).

  • Grammar cheat sheets (PDFs available online).

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3. Time Commitment

• Weekly: 4–6 hours (lectures, exercises, reading).

  • Breakdown:

    • 2–3 hours: Grammar/vocabulary study.

    • 1–2 hours: Translation practice (NT passages).

    • 1 hour: Review (quizzes, flashcards).

• Daily: 30+ minutes for reinforcement (vocab, reading).

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4. Technical Requirements (for online courses)

• Hardware: Computer/tablet with audio for pronunciation.

• Software:

  • Zoom/Google Meet (if live classes).

  • Bible software (Logos, Accordance) or free tools like STEP Bible.

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5. Language Skills to Develop

By the end of the course, students should:

• Read: Decode 80%+ of NT verses with a lexicon.

• Translate: Simple sentences without aids (e.g., John 1:1-14).

• Understand:

  • Noun/verb systems (declensions, tenses, voices).

  • Common NT syntax (e.g., participles, conjunctions).

• Recognize: 300+ high-frequency NT words.

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6. Assessment & Grading (if formal)

• Weekly: Vocabulary quizzes, parsing exercises.

• Monthly: Translation exams (e.g., Mark 1:1-8).

• Final: Translate a full chapter (e.g., 1 John 1) + grammar Q&A.

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7. Recommended Mindset

• Patience: Greek has a steep initial curve (alphabet, inflections).

• Consistency: Daily practice trumps cramming.

• Community: Join study groups (e.g., Facebook’s "Biblical Greek" forums).

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Flexible Options

• Self-Paced: Use free resources like:

  • NTGreekInContext.org.

  • YouTube channels (e.g., Biblical Mastery Academy).

• Structured Courses:

  • Morling College (low-cost online).

  • ALI Greek (natural method).

This framework ensures students are prepared to dive into Koine Greek efficiently.