GREEK STUDY GUIDES: DO YOU TRUST THEM FOR LEARNING ???

[KennethC]

I am asking this question to others because this discussion does come up a lot.

When studying the word of God do you use Greek study guides to understand the context of what was said in the scriptures, which one or ones do you use, and do you trust them to help with understanding ???

I ask this because I use Strong's Greek Concordance and the Thayer's Greek Lexicon because the 2 of them give the meaning of the Greek word and how it is used in each passage in the bible. I trust in what they say because they have been done by good well studied Greek scholars.

How about you ???

 

[3Scoreand10]

I also use Strong's and Thayer's. I also use Bullinger and an Interlinear New Testament.
I also have five other translations as well as the King James.
I find it very difficult how one can trully under the Word while using only one source.

 

[KennethC]

I also use Strong's and Thayer's. I also use Bullinger and an Interlinear New Testament.
I also have five other translations as well as the King James.
I find it very difficult how one can trully under the Word while using only one source.

Yes we should use multiple sources when understanding the truth in the word, and I believe without proper understanding of the Greek words and how they are used will lead to wrong understanding in a passage....

 

[3Scoreand10]

Yes we should use multiple sources when understanding the truth in the word, and I believe without proper understanding of the Greek words and how they are used will lead to wrong understanding in a passage....

I agree, and will say the same is true the Hebrew of the OT.
A good Websters is also necessary.

 

[KennethC]

I agree, and will say the same is true the Hebrew of the OT.
A good Websters is also necessary.

Yes it does go with the Hebrew as well, and the other thing one needs also to do is do a history study on the Jewish customs and standards at the time to understand things as well. Which plays a big part in understanding passages like Jesus turning water into wine.......

 

[p_rehbein]

Not really because, well, it's all GREEK to me

 

[Siberian_Khatru]

Didn't the Greeks deceive the Trojans with a large wooden horse? And now you're asking if we rely on their study material?

For all we know, the lettering in Greek study guides is actually a microscopic Greek army, each individual posing to form letters, biding their time before they emerge from the pages and ransack everything we've built!

 

[KennethC]

Didn't the Greeks deceive the Trojans with a large wooden horse? And now you're asking if we rely on their study material?

For all we know, the lettering in Greek study guides is actually a microscopic Greek army, each individual posing to form letters, biding their time before they emerge from the pages and ransack everything we've built!

The original texts of the OT and NT were written in Hebrew and Greek before they were ever written in another language.
In order to understand the context of what is written in the NT is by understanding the Greek language and letting the Holy Spirit guide one in that understanding.

The reason I started this to get a understanding of where some come from, because I have seen some who refuse to use the Hebrew and Greek study guides and just go by what others have told them. Then I have seen others use definitions and usages of a Greek word that is not even in those study guides, as I use Strong's and Thayer's which is what a lot of others have said they use. But when I compare what they have said with those study guides I don't see where they are getting their definition from.

Example: pisteuo (belief)

Some say Strong's defines this as a belief in a past completed action......

What Strong's really defines it as, is a continued belief in something to help or aide in achieving something..........
(In our case continued belief in the Lord to achieve salvation)

 

[jb]

Didn't the Greeks deceive the Trojans with a large wooden horse? And now you're asking if we rely on their study material?

For all we know, the lettering in Greek study guides is actually a microscopic Greek army, each individual posing to form letters, biding their time before they emerge from the pages and ransack everything we've built!

Get a life...and a bit of commonsense!

 

[KennethC]

Get a life...and a bit of commonsense!

Yes comparing the actions of a society to the original language in which the NT was written in is really not thinking in the right frame of mind. I think some churches teach their congregations not to look into the original languages so that they can keep them in false teaching, and to only follow their bad translations they use.

 

[Mitspa]

I personally looked up every Greek word in the New Testament and its context and use throughout the scriptures, I wrote my own concordance and lexicon if you will? I used all available sources to establish in my own heart and mind the meaning and value of the words that God gave us... don't have all the answers yet I press on into the truth

 

[KennethC]

I personally looked up every Greek word in the New Testament and its context and use throughout the scriptures, I wrote my own concordance and lexicon if you will? I used all available sources to establish in my own heart and mind the meaning and value of the words that God gave us... don't have all the answers yet I press on into the truth

That is good to know you are doing that intensive of a study, and yes we all are still learning.....

I know a lot of preachers who have 25 or more years under the belt in the study of the word, and every single one of them says God still reveals new truths to them in the word. That is why it gets me when those who have less then 15 years try and act like they know it all and are not even open to what others have to say. Instead of reading others posts they may only read a few words and then jump right in to belittling them. Which is where I have seen a lot of false allegations from some arise from, not completely reading what the other has said !!!

 

[Joidevivre]

I personally looked up every Greek word in the New Testament and its context and use throughout the scriptures, I wrote my own concordance and lexicon if you will? I used all available sources to establish in my own heart and mind the meaning and value of the words that God gave us... don't have all the answers yet I press on into the truth

A man after my own heart.
I did the same thing - wrote my own concordance.
I have used both the Young and Strong concordances, and the Bauer-Arndt-Gingrich Greek Lexicon. And many bible translations.

But making my own concordance with relevant topics to me was the most fun - and I find I use it a lot in teaching.

 

[Angela53510]

I use Fredrick William Danker's Lexicon based on the work of Walter Bauer.

I also have a lot of other Greek books, texts, etc, which go much deeper than just what the word means.

In Greek, grammar is very important. If you have not studied it, you will miss a lot of things that just the words cannot tell you.

As for study guides, not sure that Strong's and Thayer's are called that. Concordance would be a better word.

I personally find the problem with using just a concordance, is that they give a wide range of definitions, but they are not text specific. Or why a translator picked a certain word for the Greek or Hebrew word. That is why an exhaustive Lexicon is a better choice. It gives you the definitions in context of the passage where they are written. Some words have many definitions and to try and plug those words into English might miss the entire context of the passage.

I do encourage everyone that is interested to spend some time taking a course or two in Greek. I used to use Strong's back when I was a new Christian, but taking a few courses and actually studying Bible passages in Greek is so much better!

 

[MultilingualMessenger]

I use Fredrick William Danker's Lexicon based on the work of Walter Bauer.

I also have a lot of other Greek books, texts, etc, which go much deeper than just what the word means.

In Greek, grammar is very important. If you have not studied it, you will miss a lot of things that just the words cannot tell you.

As for study guides, not sure that Strong's and Thayer's are called that. Concordance would be a better word.

I personally find the problem with using just a concordance, is that they give a wide range of definitions, but they are not text specific. Or why a translator picked a certain word for the Greek or Hebrew word. That is why an exhaustive Lexicon is a better choice. It gives you the definitions in context of the passage where they are written. Some words have many definitions and to try and plug those words into English might miss the entire context of the passage.

I do encourage everyone that is interested to spend some time taking a course or two in Greek. I used to use Strong's back when I was a new Christian, but taking a few courses and actually studying Bible passages in Greek is so much better!

I wonder if you have heard of Mango Languages. They have a course in Greek which uses Bible passages. It's not an all expansive version of a Greek course, but it gives enough to understand some original Bible texts and gives some good grammar and context notes too. It's worth a look. They have Biblical Hebrew as well, which I'm enjoying so far. I'm still in the early stages though.

P.S. You might be able to access it from your local library for free, if they provide it. (You just need to verify your library card.)

 

[Angela53510]

I wonder if you have heard of Mango Languages. They have a course in Greek which uses Bible passages. It's not an all expansive version of a Greek course, but it gives enough to understand some original Bible texts and gives some good grammar and context notes too. It's worth a look. They have Biblical Hebrew as well, which I'm enjoying so far. I'm still in the early stages though.

P.S. You might be able to access it from your local library for free, if they provide it. (You just need to verify your library card.)

The nearest library that carries it is 7 hours away. I tried to look at the individual plans, just to see what the lessons were like, but they wanted money, and wouldn't even let me see which languages are available.

But a good way to start if you can do the library for free.

 

[Mitspa]

A man after my own heart.
I did the same thing - wrote my own concordance.
I have used both the Young and Strong concordances, and the Bauer-Arndt-Gingrich Greek Lexicon. And many bible translations.

But making my own concordance with relevant topics to me was the most fun - and I find I use it a lot in teaching.

AMEN!
Yes I wrote many notes in about things I believe the Holy Spirit was teaching me...and to see how each word is used in each context gives the best understanding of the word....Like the word translated as "Simplicity" of Christ.. Until you see the word is always used in terms of being generous (giving) ...you miss so much about what Paul was trying to say.

 

[KennethC]

I use Fredrick William Danker's Lexicon based on the work of Walter Bauer.

I also have a lot of other Greek books, texts, etc, which go much deeper than just what the word means.

In Greek, grammar is very important. If you have not studied it, you will miss a lot of things that just the words cannot tell you.

As for study guides, not sure that Strong's and Thayer's are called that. Concordance would be a better word.

I personally find the problem with using just a concordance, is that they give a wide range of definitions, but they are not text specific. Or why a translator picked a certain word for the Greek or Hebrew word. That is why an exhaustive Lexicon is a better choice. It gives you the definitions in context of the passage where they are written. Some words have many definitions and to try and plug those words into English might miss the entire context of the passage.

I do encourage everyone that is interested to spend some time taking a course or two in Greek. I used to use Strong's back when I was a new Christian, but taking a few courses and actually studying Bible passages in Greek is so much better!

Actually Thayer's is a Greek Lexicon does go into detail on how the Greek words are used in the scriptures in the bible.
Yes maybe I should have used concordance and lexicon in stead of saying study guides, but yet at the same time they are that because without those concordances and lexicons when you study Greek words you would not know their meaning and how they are to be used.

Example would be like James 5:19-20:

Without a Greek lexicon you would not know what this passage of save a soul from death is referring to, and leads to interpretation's that do not align with the bible. But with the Greek lexicon you can know for sure, here is what Thayer's says;

b. "the (human) soul in so far as it is so constituted that by the right use of the aids offered it by God it can attain its highest end and secure eternal blessedness, the soul regarded as a moral being designed for everlasting life": 3 John 1:2; ἀγρύπνειν ὑπέρ τῶν ψυχῶν, Hebrews 13:17;ἐπιθυμίαι, αἵτινες στρατεύονται κατά τῆς ψυχῆς, 1 Peter 2:11; ἐπίσκοπος τῶν ψυχῶν, 1 Peter 2:25; σῴζειν τάς ψυχάς,James 1:21; ψυχήν ἐκ θανάτου, from eternal death, James 5:20;σωτηρία ψυχῶν, 1 Peter 1:9; ἁγνίζειν τάς ψυχάς ἑαυτῶν, 1 Peter 1:22; (τάς ψυχάς πιστῷ κτίστῃ παρατίθεσθαι, 1 Peter 4:19).

 

[Joidevivre]

Sometimes an intensive study of words can throw you off when God wants to use a simple phrase (out of its original context and desires to place it in your own life's context).

Many times He has spoken a word or phrase to me from scripture (Rhema?), yet was completely out of context. I recognized it as from God because He used His own words, and the Holy Spirit quickened that word so deeply into my heart.

 

[KennethC]

Sometimes an intensive study of words can throw you off when God wants to use a simple phrase (out of its original context and desires to place it in your own life's context).

Many times He has spoken a word or phrase to me from scripture (Rhema?), yet was completely out of context. I recognized it as from God because He used His own words, and the Holy Spirit quickened that word so deeply into my heart.

I do agree with you here to an extent because man made teaching systems can take and make the simplicity of the Word of God and turn it into a more complicated system then what it really is. You see this by those who seem to believe unless you take college courses or go to a bible school to learn this things you will not know the truth.

I have an issue with that because for the first 4 centuries of the early church they did not do that, as the word was simply just passed down from person to person, generation to generation. They did not have to take a course for 4 or more years to learn the word, as the Holy Spirit who guided them gave them the truth. The Holy Spirit to this day still works in us that way, yet some take and put those educational systems and other people before the Spirit for learning.

There is nothing wrong with going to them if the Holy Spirit has guided you to go there, but to just up and put faith in these people first before the Holy Spirit has lead you there is not testing the spirits. But instead would be believing every whim and word they say, which the bible shows is still being a babe/weak in the faith...