Really?
Pauls words are Junk?
Btw I own 2 Greek interlinears and use a online interlinear.
I am 100 % bible based.
Broad brushing credentials doesn't work with me.
Paul's words are never junk. What is junk, is the folk theology of people who misuse his words to support an untenable eschatological theology. And that means "Left Behind" theology and dispensationalism.
I'm glad you own some Greek interlinears. But always be aware they are not perfect, and limited by word order, as well as using the most simplified words to interpret the Greek.
If you move into a Lexicon, like Bauer (BAGD) and some exegetical tools like "The New Linguistic and Exegetical Key to the Greek New Testament by Rogers Jr. and Rogers III, you will be farther ahead.
Then learn how to recognize and translate the noun cases, which are so important, as well as a good understanding of verb tenses, which are so often not translated properly! I am working through a Summer Reader, and they just have eliminated proper use of translating present participles. Not so good for a book which is supposed to be helping you maintain your Greek over the summer!
When you have done all that, we can talk about Greek. I do not think it is necessary to have a Master's level Greek course, although it sure helps. Self study is great, if you are consistent and work hard to learn the basics, as well as memorizing words. I am down to memorizing words with a frequency of 14 times or more in the NT. But even getting to 50 times or more in the NT is great and will help you immensely in your translations.
I'm kind of excited about Greek today, since my course is starting again for fall.
I have to go, but I will come back and answer some of the questions raised in this thread, pertaining to the Greek.