The broad pastorate faces a serious problem of the vast majority of pastors not being able to labor in the word in the original languages. There are a few major factors that have produced this problem. First, pastors are so busy that they have difficulty finding time for regular study and review. Second, given all of the biblical commentaries and translations, pastors often don't see the value of studying the original language compared with their daily shepherding tasks. Finally, even pastors who have the motivation to make the time often don't know where to begin reviving the skills they have forgotten.

The NBGE can't do much about easing the busy schedule of a pastor, but the other two issues can be addressed to such a degree, that you may soon find yourself back in the Greek. So what is the benefit of studying Greek if our best translations normally reproduce our favorite English translation? The primary benefit of working in the original is noticing structural patterns and word play. Often times the Greek repeats words or structures that help to identify a contrast or forcibly present a paradox. Good translations normally obscure things to produce the best English style and idiom. To get a feel for the finer points of exegetical emphasis pastors must develop a taste for the ipsa verba (very words themselves) of Scripture. Further, in an age of so much theological diversity, where major doctrines hinge on the phrasing and emphasis of certain passages, it would help us work toward unity if pastors were working out of the same book.

So once a pastor decides Greek is important enough to invest a small amount of time each week to improve his skills, where does he begin? The NBGE can provide immediate direction. Even if you think that you have forgotten everything, give it a try. Chances are, the exam will find that you do remember some grammatical points. It will chart and label these grammatical areas so you can dust off your Greek grammar textbook, pick a grammatical area (from the table of contents) to review, and then try the NBGE again to see your improvement. The NBGE will track your improvement as you take each exam, and focus your study efforts to areas that will yield the most improvement.

You can also use the exam as a point of self-accountability or call another pastor to take the exam at regular intervals to hold each other accountable. The nice thing about working on Greek is that you will improve with any review. The NBGE simply helps you direct your work and track your improvement. It is easy to think that you aren't making progress when the task is great (like swimming in a lake), but the NBGE can keep you encouraged by showing that you are consistently making headway.

The NBGE also is a learning tool. Every exam is immediately corrected with helpful comments on many missed questions. This provides you with the instant feedback necessary to address your difficulties and questions before your thoughts slip away.

With the National Biblical Greek Exam you have the tools for learning and accountability to improve your Greek skills and start realizing the benefits as you labor in the Word.