I recently began my third semester of graduate studies at Freed-Hardeman University where I am enrolled in the Master of Arts in New Testament program which requires at least four semesters of Greek. Being the self-proclaimed technology nerd and Greek geek that I am, I went on a mad search for whatever apps I could find to help. You must understand one thing about me though, not only am I a technology nerd, I am a cheap technology nerd. I don’t like paying for stuff if at all possible.
I was determined to find a nice bundle of apps for my iPad and my Galaxy S4 phone that would assist me in my studies. Yes, you can pay a few dollars for an app that shows up first in the store, or you can do a little research and find a free app (or hold out until the app goes free for a while), or you can check out this list of apps that I am presenting you with.
Here are the Greek study apps I use regularly. All were free when I downloaded them and should should still be free.
Android Grammar & Vocabulary
Greek Paradigms
If you are starting off on your Greek journey, you should stop reading this now and download this app. It is not the prettiest app on this list, but it will get you started on Greek better than most of the others. When your first open the app you will have two options. Quiz or Paradigms. The Quiz section uses the vocabulary from William D. Mounce’s Basics of Biblical Greek. You will need to make one simple change if you are starting off. Unfortunately, this app defaults to showing every chapter of vocabulary. Go to settings > Select Lesson and choose the chapter of vocabulary you want to study. You will have to do this each time you want to study vocab, but it only takes a couple of seconds to make the change. Your other option in the app is Paradigms. Choose the one you want and it shows it to you. Not much else to say about that. I have taken many screenshots of these for even easier access. If you are studying Greek, you need this app.
New Testament Greek Parser
This is one of those Greek study apps that you need to be careful how you use it. Read the final thoughts at the bottom of this post before going crazy with this one. Although it is awesome, and can be very helpful in your studies, it can also be a problem. This app allows you to type in a Greek word (no support for accents and other markings) and it gives you all of the possibilities for that word, along with their parsings. I put it to the test and typed in a simple “η” and it gave me 6 possibilities. The results do have the accents and other markings so you can be sure of which one you are looking for. You can also save your favorites and return to them later. Again, not the prettiest app, but it works great.
Greek Reference
This Greek study app offers two valuable options. Lexicon and Syntax. This is probably not for someone in their first semester of Greek or beginning their own study, but would be a great addition for someone who has been studying for a while and needs a little reminder on what the pluperfect is. Browse the syntax section to look for a specific thing such as the pluperfect, imperfect, subjunctive, or many others to get a quick review of what that looks like. You can also browse the lexicon for a word that you might need a little refresher on. You can even search with the English keyboard if you need to. As you type English letters, the search will show up using the Greek equivalents. It will take some getting used to, but you will pick up on it pretty quickly.
Android Greek Text
I do not use my phone for much of my actual Greek text reading. This is the one app I have on my phone for the Greek text. I’m sure there are others that might be better, but it works for me.
Greek New Testament
This is a simple SBL Greek text. You can pay $4.99 to unlock some extra features, but I have not needed any of those features so far.
iOS – Grammar & Vocabulary
GreekVerbChart
This is one of those must have Greek study apps. If you are at any level of Greek study, this will be beneficial. You can find the paradigms of pretty much every verb form inside of this app. The only downfall is that there is not much help for irregular verbs outside of εἰμί which has its own section. In reality though, they are irregular for a reason. You are pretty much on your own with those.
Quizlet
This is not officially a Greek app, but you can find flashcards pre-made that will go along with most of the popular Greek grammars. Search within the app for what you are looking for and download the set that looks best to you. Take your Greek vocabulary with you anywhere you go.
iOS – Greek Text
Blue Letter Bible
If you are not familiar with Blue Letter Bible on the web, you should go and check them out. Their app is also great. Some of the functions need an internet connection to use, but you can download a Greek text to take with you anywhere you go. One of BLB’s great features is a parallel view. I normally have an English text and my Greek text next to each other. Hold your iPad in landscape mode and both are easy to view. They also line up together so when you scroll one, the other stays matched with it. Another feature of BLB is when you tap on any verse a menu pops up with options for cross references and translation comparison which require no internet connection. You can also access commentaries, dictionaries, and interlinear/concordance if you have a connection.
Final Thoughts: Please use common sense when using these apps. If you are studying Greek on your own for personal benefit, use these all you want. If you, like I am, are in a class setting and your teacher would frown on your using a “crutch” while doing your work, you might not want to use some of these. This list is not to help you cheat on a test! I use these commonly for personal study or to check on a word for sermons and Bible class prep.
Do you have a favorite Greek study app that I missed?
Let me know about it, as long as it is free!
Useful & Free Greek Study Apps first appeared on ChurchMag and is sponsored by ChurchMag Press.