SELF-STUDY RESOURCES
Updated for 2026
The following is list of books and resources I have put together which are helpful for learning New Testament Greek through self-teaching. A few of my notes are scattered throughout. It is not necessary to have all of the books mentioned below in order to learn. In addition to the basics, I have tried to offer some next steps after beginning greek.
I. The Minister and Greek:
1. The Minister and His Greek New Testament – A.T. Robertson
(This book is worth its price for chapters 1 & 9. Every christian who studies Greek will profit from it. You can read these two chapters here in a PDF)
2. Using New Testament Greek in Ministry: A Practical Guide for Students & Pastors - David Alan Black
II. NT Canon & Manuscripts:
1. The Canon of Scripture – F.F. Bruce
(This is the classic work on the Canon. I love this book and high recommend it)
2. Canon Revisited: Establishing the Origins and Authority of the New Testament Books - Michael J. Kruger
(A modern work on the Canon which takes a slightly different approach than past works)
3. The Text of the New Testament 3rd Edition 1992 used (not 4th Edition) – Bruce Metzger
Note: I have linked to the 3rd edition of number 3 which can be purchased used at a good price. I recommend not buying the 4th edition as it has been revised and corrupted by Bart Ehrman who is a non-christian critic. Also, the 4th edition is much more expensive. I have also placed the 3rd edition in the following section as it contains much info about TC.
III. The Scriptures & Textual Criticism:
1. The Basics of New Testament Textual Criticism - Daniel B. Wallace (Free Resource)
(15 short video lectures on iTunes. Great intro into TC. Highly recommended)
2. New Testament Textual Criticism: A Concise Guide - David Alan Black
3. Textual Criticism: Good or Bad?
(Previous blog post)
4. The Text of the New Testament 3rd Edition 1992 used (not 4th Edition) – Bruce Metzger
5. Rethinking New Testament Textual Criticism - David Alan Black
6. Inerrancy - Various Authors, edited by Norman Geisler
IV. Linguistics & NT Greek:
1. Linguistics for Students of New Testament Greek - David Alan Black
2. Discourse Grammar of the Greek New Testament - Steven Runge
Note: Linguistics has much to offer in the field of NTG. Though grammar is important and necessary, it is not the end of Greek studies. Studying Greek merely through Grammar will not teach someone to truly learn the language, but only to decode it. In order to grasp and comprehend the language linguistics is necessary.
V. Greek New Testaments:
1. Tyndale Greek New Testament
2. Tyndale Greek New Testament w/ Dictionary
3. Tyndale Greek New Testament (Trutone)
4. Tyndale Greek New Testament (Reader's Edition)
5. Koine Greek New Testament Calkfskin)
(This edition from the Trinitarian Bible Society includes the received text. It is my favorite, has great binding, font, and is portable.)
6. Read this post for help on choosing a Greek New Testament
VI. Vocabulary Builders:
1. Basics of Biblical Greek Vocabulary Cards - William Mounce
2. Lexical Aids for Students of New Testament Greek – Bruce Metzger
3. Complete Vocabulary Guide to the Greek New Testament – Warren C. Trenchard
(Surpasses Metzger's fine work above, if you have this one, there is no need to have the other)
Note: Vocabulary is key. Greek will not be enjoyable at any level if you have to look up every other word in the lexicon. It can be helpful to memorize vocabulary by word frequency in the GNT. A helpful pattern is as follows: 1st year memorize the words with occurrences of 50x or more (325 words). 2nd year memorize the words occurring 20x to 49x (323 words). Eventually work your way down to those occurring 10x to 19x (352 words). This equals 1000 words and will enable you to comfortably read the GNT, with grammar of course. The materials above will help you to learn vocabulary well as you continue to learn the less frequent words.
VII. First Year Greek Grammar (Beginning):
Robert Plummer & Benjamin Merkle
1. Beginning Greek Grammar
2. Beginning Greek Vocabulary Cards
3. Beginning Greek Video Lectures (Free Resource)
Bill Mounce
1. Basics of Biblical Greek Grammar
2. Basics of Biblical Greek Workbook
3. Biblical Greek Laminated Study Sheet
4. Basics of Biblical Greek Vocabulary Cards
5. Basics of Biblical Greek Lectures on DVD
Note: I used Mounce's second edition grammar when I began studying. It is in it's fourth edition now. I still highly recommend it, however for most people, I would recommend using Beginning Greek from Merkle & Plummer.
VIII. Between 1st and 2nd Year:
1. A Graded Reader of Biblical Greek – William D. Mounce
2. 1 John: A New Testament Greek Reader - Merkle & Plummer
3. Biblical Greek: A Compact Guide – William D. Mounce
(Not a grammar book, but a good and portable review tool to stay sharp after 1st year Greek)
Note: At this time it is recommended to read your GNT as often as you can. Don't worry so much about rushing into an intermediate grammar. Go through one of the readers above. Either one is sufficient. If you used Mounce's BBG, you may prefer his Graded Reader. Enjoy reading and take a little break from grammar to let it soak in and see it in action.
IX. Second Year Greek Grammar and Beyond (Intermediate/Advanced):
1. Intermediate Greek Grammar: Syntax for Students of the New Testament – Mathewson & Emig
(This recent grammar is great for moving into after finishing an introductory work. It gets your into the text and tells you want you need to know.)
2. Going Deeper with New Testament Greek
3. Discourse Grammar of the Greek New Testament - Steven Runge
(This is not a traditional grammar in and of itself. I do highly recommend reading it in addition to an intermediate grammar.)
XI. Lexicons and Reference Tools:
1. A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament & Other Early Christian Literature – 2nd Edition 1979 used
2. Shorter Lexicon of the Greek New Testament – 2nd Edition – F. Wilbur Gingrich
(An abridgment of the lexicon above, very handy and portable. Inexpensive used copies can be found.)
3. A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament - Abbott & Smith
(This is another great portable lexicon to keep with you when reading.)
4. A Syntax Guide for Readers - Charles Irons
5. The New Linguistic and Exegetical Key to the Greek New Testament – Cleon Rogers
(A helpful verse-by-verse analysis of rare forms of significant meanings.)
6. Word Pictures in the New Testament – A.T. Robertson
7. A list of Greek Exegetical Commentaries of the NT
XII. New Testament Exegesis:
1. Exegetical Fallacies – D.A. Carson
2. Using New Testament Greek in Ministry: A Practical Guide for Students & Pastors - David Alan Black
(This is a great little book. It has a very to the point and practical guide for NT exegesis as well.)
3. Interpreting the Synoptic Gospels - Scott McKnight
4. Interpreting the Pauline Epistles - Tom Schreiner
Note: The book above by Carson should be read by every student of NTG and every pastor. Exegetical fallacies and abuses are rampant in the land today, they are all too common in many pulpits, simply because men often do not know Greek, or know just enough through tools to be dangerous.
XIII. Study of Textual Variants:
1. A Textual Commentary on the Greek New Testament (Companion to UBS4) – Bruce Metzger
Note: This little book goes through all of the important and significant textual variants of the GNT, discussing them in some detail, and also talks about how the committee came to their decision as to the inclusion of the variant. A knowledge of Greek is needed in order to fully use this book. It is designed to be used with the UBS 4th edition.
XIV. Further Koine Greek Studies:
Note: Reading extra-biblical Koine Greek is a great way to build vocabulary and get a better feel for the language and culture of the times. You may be surprised to know that there are actually some very good writings in Koine apart from the NT, such as the OT Septuagint and the Apostolic Fathers. Just as we read sound edifying books in English apart from the Scriptures, why not do the same in Koine Greek?
LXX:
Apostolic Fathers & Patristics:
The following is list of books and resources I have put together which are helpful for learning New Testament Greek through self-teaching. A few of my notes are scattered throughout. It is not necessary to have all of the books mentioned below in order to learn. In addition to the basics, I have tried to offer some next steps after beginning greek.
I. The Minister and Greek:
1. The Minister and His Greek New Testament – A.T. Robertson
(This book is worth its price for chapters 1 & 9. Every christian who studies Greek will profit from it. You can read these two chapters here in a PDF)
2. Using New Testament Greek in Ministry: A Practical Guide for Students & Pastors - David Alan Black
II. NT Canon & Manuscripts:
1. The Canon of Scripture – F.F. Bruce
(This is the classic work on the Canon. I love this book and high recommend it)
2. Canon Revisited: Establishing the Origins and Authority of the New Testament Books - Michael J. Kruger
(A modern work on the Canon which takes a slightly different approach than past works)
3. The Text of the New Testament 3rd Edition 1992 used (not 4th Edition) – Bruce Metzger
Note: I have linked to the 3rd edition of number 3 which can be purchased used at a good price. I recommend not buying the 4th edition as it has been revised and corrupted by Bart Ehrman who is a non-christian critic. Also, the 4th edition is much more expensive. I have also placed the 3rd edition in the following section as it contains much info about TC.
III. The Scriptures & Textual Criticism:
1. The Basics of New Testament Textual Criticism - Daniel B. Wallace (Free Resource)
(15 short video lectures on iTunes. Great intro into TC. Highly recommended)
2. New Testament Textual Criticism: A Concise Guide - David Alan Black
3. Textual Criticism: Good or Bad?
(Previous blog post)
4. The Text of the New Testament 3rd Edition 1992 used (not 4th Edition) – Bruce Metzger
5. Rethinking New Testament Textual Criticism - David Alan Black
6. Inerrancy - Various Authors, edited by Norman Geisler
IV. Linguistics & NT Greek:
1. Linguistics for Students of New Testament Greek - David Alan Black
2. Discourse Grammar of the Greek New Testament - Steven Runge
Note: Linguistics has much to offer in the field of NTG. Though grammar is important and necessary, it is not the end of Greek studies. Studying Greek merely through Grammar will not teach someone to truly learn the language, but only to decode it. In order to grasp and comprehend the language linguistics is necessary.
V. Greek New Testaments:
1. Tyndale Greek New Testament
2. Tyndale Greek New Testament w/ Dictionary
3. Tyndale Greek New Testament (Trutone)
4. Tyndale Greek New Testament (Reader's Edition)
5. Koine Greek New Testament Calkfskin)
(This edition from the Trinitarian Bible Society includes the received text. It is my favorite, has great binding, font, and is portable.)
6. Read this post for help on choosing a Greek New Testament
VI. Vocabulary Builders:
1. Basics of Biblical Greek Vocabulary Cards - William Mounce
2. Lexical Aids for Students of New Testament Greek – Bruce Metzger
3. Complete Vocabulary Guide to the Greek New Testament – Warren C. Trenchard
(Surpasses Metzger's fine work above, if you have this one, there is no need to have the other)
Note: Vocabulary is key. Greek will not be enjoyable at any level if you have to look up every other word in the lexicon. It can be helpful to memorize vocabulary by word frequency in the GNT. A helpful pattern is as follows: 1st year memorize the words with occurrences of 50x or more (325 words). 2nd year memorize the words occurring 20x to 49x (323 words). Eventually work your way down to those occurring 10x to 19x (352 words). This equals 1000 words and will enable you to comfortably read the GNT, with grammar of course. The materials above will help you to learn vocabulary well as you continue to learn the less frequent words.
VII. First Year Greek Grammar (Beginning):
Robert Plummer & Benjamin Merkle
1. Beginning Greek Grammar
2. Beginning Greek Vocabulary Cards
3. Beginning Greek Video Lectures (Free Resource)
Bill Mounce
1. Basics of Biblical Greek Grammar
2. Basics of Biblical Greek Workbook
3. Biblical Greek Laminated Study Sheet
4. Basics of Biblical Greek Vocabulary Cards
5. Basics of Biblical Greek Lectures on DVD
Note: I used Mounce's second edition grammar when I began studying. It is in it's fourth edition now. I still highly recommend it, however for most people, I would recommend using Beginning Greek from Merkle & Plummer.
VIII. Between 1st and 2nd Year:
1. A Graded Reader of Biblical Greek – William D. Mounce
2. 1 John: A New Testament Greek Reader - Merkle & Plummer
3. Biblical Greek: A Compact Guide – William D. Mounce
(Not a grammar book, but a good and portable review tool to stay sharp after 1st year Greek)
Note: At this time it is recommended to read your GNT as often as you can. Don't worry so much about rushing into an intermediate grammar. Go through one of the readers above. Either one is sufficient. If you used Mounce's BBG, you may prefer his Graded Reader. Enjoy reading and take a little break from grammar to let it soak in and see it in action.
IX. Second Year Greek Grammar and Beyond (Intermediate/Advanced):
1. Intermediate Greek Grammar: Syntax for Students of the New Testament – Mathewson & Emig
(This recent grammar is great for moving into after finishing an introductory work. It gets your into the text and tells you want you need to know.)
2. Going Deeper with New Testament Greek
3. Discourse Grammar of the Greek New Testament - Steven Runge
(This is not a traditional grammar in and of itself. I do highly recommend reading it in addition to an intermediate grammar.)
XI. Lexicons and Reference Tools:
1. A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament & Other Early Christian Literature – 2nd Edition 1979 used
2. Shorter Lexicon of the Greek New Testament – 2nd Edition – F. Wilbur Gingrich
(An abridgment of the lexicon above, very handy and portable. Inexpensive used copies can be found.)
3. A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament - Abbott & Smith
(This is another great portable lexicon to keep with you when reading.)
4. A Syntax Guide for Readers - Charles Irons
5. The New Linguistic and Exegetical Key to the Greek New Testament – Cleon Rogers
(A helpful verse-by-verse analysis of rare forms of significant meanings.)
6. Word Pictures in the New Testament – A.T. Robertson
7. A list of Greek Exegetical Commentaries of the NT
XII. New Testament Exegesis:
1. Exegetical Fallacies – D.A. Carson
2. Using New Testament Greek in Ministry: A Practical Guide for Students & Pastors - David Alan Black
(This is a great little book. It has a very to the point and practical guide for NT exegesis as well.)
3. Interpreting the Synoptic Gospels - Scott McKnight
4. Interpreting the Pauline Epistles - Tom Schreiner
Note: The book above by Carson should be read by every student of NTG and every pastor. Exegetical fallacies and abuses are rampant in the land today, they are all too common in many pulpits, simply because men often do not know Greek, or know just enough through tools to be dangerous.
XIII. Study of Textual Variants:
1. A Textual Commentary on the Greek New Testament (Companion to UBS4) – Bruce Metzger
Note: This little book goes through all of the important and significant textual variants of the GNT, discussing them in some detail, and also talks about how the committee came to their decision as to the inclusion of the variant. A knowledge of Greek is needed in order to fully use this book. It is designed to be used with the UBS 4th edition.
XIV. Further Koine Greek Studies:
Note: Reading extra-biblical Koine Greek is a great way to build vocabulary and get a better feel for the language and culture of the times. You may be surprised to know that there are actually some very good writings in Koine apart from the NT, such as the OT Septuagint and the Apostolic Fathers. Just as we read sound edifying books in English apart from the Scriptures, why not do the same in Koine Greek?
LXX:
- Invitation to the Septuagint - Jobes & Silva
- Septuaginta (LXX) - Rahlfs (This is the standard version of the LXX and is the best we have today)
- The Greek of the Septuagint: A Supplemental Lexicon - Gary Alan Chamberlain (Contains words not found in BDAG and is to be used where BDAG does not list the word)
Apostolic Fathers & Patristics:
- Koine Greek Reader - Rodney Decker (A great reader for an introduction to reading Koine Greek outside of the GNT)
- Greek Creeds - Rod Decker FREE RESOURCE (Thanks to Rod Decker, you can study some of the early creeds in Greek)
- The Apostolic Fathers: Greek Texts and English Translations - Michael Holmes (This is in my opinion the best and most economical resource for studying the Apostolic Fathers in Greek)
- Make sure you have your copy of BDAG when you study this literature. You can find the 2nd Edition for much less than the 3rd.