How’s your working knowledge of Hebrew and Greek? I hesitate to ask. I know how difficult it is to gain an elementary working knowledge. I know it’s even more difficult to maintain an elementary working knowledge. Then, there’s the debate about how useful such skills are for preaching.

I am going to assume that the vast majority of folks reading this blog are not able to proficiently read Hebrew and Greek. That means you are not doing much translating of your own. Thanks to great tools you can still boost your communication of theology. Here’s a few ways to maximize the information provided by the experts:

• Pay attention to the Hebrew and Greek word-order in key sentences. After several years of reading through the Bible in a year (roughly 4 chapters a day), I’ve decided this year to slow down and read the Hebrew OT little by little. Immediately in Genesis 1, I noticed the Hebrew ends each day of the creation account with the words, “…day one….day two….day three”, etc. Not much different from saying “the first day…the second day…the third day…” But just enough to change the way parishioners hear the creation account.
• Usually, when you think of word-order, you’re thinking of emphasis achieved through the placement of key words–either first or last in a sentence. Sometimes it helps to attack a verse by using the order of the original languages. I’m currently preaching a series on the “one another” instructions of the NT. A week ago Sunday was Romans 12:10. The Greek noun, philadelphia, begins the instruction.
•  Allow the original language terms to brighten your word studies. Years ago a professor once said that using the languages was like watching color television (compared to English only, black and white). The Hebrew language is especially good at painting pictures. But Greek also does this. The noun referred to above is a good example. Let the experts enhance your word studies. And, despite what some will tell you, it is helpful at times to remind your congregants, ” Our English word, _____, comes from this Greek word.”
• Allow the original languages to help you explain the different translations being read in the pews. More than likely, more than a few translations are being read in your church. It’s often helpful for you to know why their translations read the way they do.

If you’ve experienced additional benefits, please take a moment and share them with us.

Preach well for the sake of God’s reputation in the Church and in the world.