Greek Geek Speak Intro

When we communicate with others through written or spoken words, we rely on a common understanding of the meaning of the words that we use. Obviously, this is why most Americans cannot fly to Russia and count on being able to communicate with anyone—most of us don’t understand the meaning of a single word of the Russian language! But this reality is true of even two English-language speakers. The same word does not always mean the same thing for two different people. There are times when two people—both born and raised in the same century right here in the United States—might need to clarify what they mean by a certain word before having a successful conversation. How much harder do we need to work to make sure we understand what the New Testament authors, who wrote in the ancient Greek language, are communicating, even when those words are translated to English by modern scholars?

Those translators have done an incredible job! Teams of translators, particularly in the last five to six decades, have given us many translations of the Bible that are extremely accurate to the oldest surviving Hebrew and Greek manuscripts. These scholars are well-studied in the ancient Biblical languages—far surpassing the understanding of the average English Bible reader. What they have given us is an incredible gift—the Word of God in language that we can understand.

However, as followers of Jesus, we are not just called to understand the Bible. We are called to be transformed by it (Rom. 12:2). We are to be taught by it, corrected, and trained in righteousness (2 Tim. 3:16). We are to receive it humbly so it is implanted in us (James 1:21). We are to let the word of Christ dwell in us richly (Col. 3:16). And we are called to increase in the knowledge of God (Col. 1:10). In other words, if we truly want to be like Jesus, we need to apply ourselves to the study of Scripture. And one way to work at transforming our minds with the Word of God is to use the many tools available online to consider the Biblical languages ourselves. Even a layperson, such as myself, can access these tools and understand more of what God has revealed of Himself in His Word. Then, with the guidance of God’s Spirit, we can be transformed, have our minds renewed, and increase in the knowledge of God.

Ancient Greek does not always translate cleanly and perfectly to English. There are grammatical differences and cultural idioms to consider. Even in a solid, word-for-word translation of the Bible, translators may have a difficult time deciding exactly which word in English best captures the Greek. They have to make a decision about which word or phrase to use in the English in that particular verse. And they may make a different decision for the same Greek word in another verse.

Let me give you an example. In the Gospel of John, the Greek word exousia is used eight times. The ESV (English Standard Version), which happens to be my preferred version of the Bible, translates seven of those uses to authority.

And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. John 5:27

But on one occasion, exousia is translated to right.

But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. John 1:12

In my understanding, authority implies power, while right implies privilege. They are somewhat synonymous, but knowing that the same Greek word can be translated both ways causes me to think more deeply about both passages.

Here’s another example, but in reverse. As mentioned above, there are eight uses of exousia in John’s Gospel, seven of which are translated to authority in the ESV. But in the ESV translation of John’s Gospel, there are 13 uses of the English word authority. There is another Greek word behind this authority. It is the word emautou, which means myself.

And he has given him authority (exousia, power or right) to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. John 5:27

So Jesus said to them, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority (emautou, myself), but speak just as the Father taught me. John 8:28

Here we have two different Greek words behind the single English word authority. One of the themes of John’s Gospel is that Jesus repeatedly states that His authority comes from the Father. That is exactly what He is saying in John 5:27—the Father has given the Son authority to execute judgment. Along the same theme, in John 8:28, Jesus is saying that once He has been lifted up—crucified on the cross and resurrected from the dead—it will be proven that the things He does are not from Himself, but from the Father. He uses emautou in the negative. Nothing Jesus does is from Himself, because it is all under authority given from the Father. By exploring both Greek words behind the English word authority, we learn to follow Jesus’ example that authority is not acting in our own interests, but submitted to God’s authority.

Although I have never taken seminary-level Hebrew or Greek classes, my study of the Bible has been greatly enriched by accessing the powerful websites and apps that allow a layperson to consider the original languages. It is my hope to continue writing monthly blog posts to share some of this exploration and equip readers to use the same tools to enrich their own Bible study. If you would like to follow along, please subscribe to my email list at logbridgebooks.com. Scroll to the bottom of the homepage to sign up.