3 reasons why every Christian should learn a biblical language

Why bother with biblical languages? 

I’ve had the joy and privilege of teaching biblical languages – New Testament Greek and Old Testament Hebrew – for a few years now, both in a University setting and in a Church of England theological college. I’ve seen countless students from a variety of background study either Greek or Hebrew (or both!) for a variety of reasons. 

Would you like to know the one thing I’ve never heard a single student say? “I regret learning biblical languages.” It simply doesn’t happen. Every single student who studies biblical languages finds it deeply rewarding and is always glad they’ve done so. Some may find it harder than others – more on this shortly – but the rewards are always clear and tangible.  

And yet, whereas Jewish and Islamic traditions routinely require at least some engagement with Hebrew and Arabic respectively, I think it’s fair to say that the vast majority of Christians don’t engage with biblical languages at even a basic level. This is a real shame because you don’t need a PhD in Greek verbal morphology to benefit enormously from leaning biblical languages and I want to give you three reasons why even just taking a beginner’s course in Greek or Hebrew will make a huge impact on your life as a Christian.   

1. Learning a biblical language will make you a better reader of scripture

Most of us read the Bible in translation. But languages never mirror each other identically, meaning that every biblical translation is an interpretation of the original text.  

Think of the word “tip” in English. What does it mean? Well, it could mean any of the following: a clue or a hint (“let me give you a tip”); that something is falling or being pushed (“That boat’s about to tip over”); a place I drop off my household rubbish (“I’m off to the tip”); a payment for good service at a restaurant or café (“Let’s leave a 10% tip); the end of a point of something (“The tip of the iceberg”); and probably a few other things besides.  

Langauge is nuanced and words can carry multiple meanings depending on context. This is why my eye starts twitching whenever I hear “This Greek/Hebrew word means…” in a sermon. That’s simply not how language works.  

Reading scripture in its original language, forces us to slow down, read more deliberately and purposefully and notice the nuances lost in our English translations. More importantly, we can begin to read scripture without being wedded to the interpretive decisions made by translation committees – as valuable as their work is. 

2. Learning a biblical language will make you a better communicator

When I left school and went off to university to study theology, I knew nothing regarding English grammar. Seriously: I couldn’t tell you the difference between a noun and a verb (perhaps a damning indictment of the UK’s education system!).  

Ironically, I only learned English grammar because I studied Greek and Hebrew. If you do decide to take a beginners’ biblical language course, you’ll likely spend time learning English grammatical concepts – nouns, verbs, adjectives, and many more. Have you ever wondered what it means to ‘split an infinitive’? In learning a biblical language, you will find your answer. 

Whether you preach at your local church, or just want to share the Gospel with your friends, family, or colleagues, I can promise you that learning a biblical language will make you a more confident and effective English communicator too.  

3. Learning a biblical language will make you a more empathetic person

All translations of scripture are interpretations of scripture because languages have built-in worldviews. Languages are not neutral tools for objectively describing the world. 

You’ve likely heard the (possibly apocryphal) claim that the Inuit language has 50 words for snow. True or not, a native Inuit-speaker likely understands snow differently to a native English speaker as a result of their language reflecting and reinforcing particular ways of seeing the world.

By learning another language, we learn to ‘see’ the world through its lens. Moreover, the limitations of our own native language and its inherent interpretations of the world become apparent to us. Learning another language fosters empathy, enabling us to understand and ultimately appreciate differing perspectives. If we are called to grow in loving your neighbour – then learning a biblical language could be a meaningful way of cultivating such love.

“But it’s too hard!”

I often hear, “Languages aren’t for me.” That is simply not true.

We are, by God’s grace, linguistic creatures. The same God who spoke creation into existence, and whose perfect son he sees fit to call his ‘Word’, has instilled in us the capacity for language, that we might relate to each other and to him.  

I won’t pretend that learning biblical languages is easy. I recently turned 32 and I’m still learning how to speak English. Being ‘fluent’ in Greek or Hebrew isn’t the requirement, learning just enough to make a difference is.

If you remain unconviced you possess the capacity to learn, consider this: there is no grammar that you will learn studying Greek or Hebrew that is harder than anything in this article, English is far harder than either of them. If you’ve read this far and understood what I’ve said, you already know enough grammar and enough about language to learn a biblical language. 

Where to start?

If you’re interested in learning a biblical language, it’s easier than you might think to find a course. If you’re not already in theological education, check if a university or theological college near you offers Greek or Hebrew. Many theological colleges provide flexible courses, including online options, often designed for busy schedules. It’s probably fair to say that theological colleges will be more geared towards helping students integrate knowledge of biblical languages into preaching, if that’s something that interests you, too.  

Alternatively, self-directed study might suit you best. Biblingo and Biblical Mastery Academy are great places to start, and both offer free trials so you can explore without commitment.

So, whoever you are, wherever you live, and whatever your background, can I encourage you to prayerfully consider learning a biblical language? Even a basic grasp of Greek or Hebrew can help you become a more theologically secure disciple of Christ — an ever-present need of the Church.