Greek

Spoken for over 3000 years, the Greek language was the first to have a completely alphabetic system. The influence of Hellenism through Alexander the Great promoted Greek culture in every land around the Mediterranean and thus spread a simple dialect of Greek called "koine" (Language of the market place).

The enormous and elaborate Greek vocabulary with its precise system of grammar made it the premier language of philosophy. The tonal system made it especially suitable for poetry. The work of poets such as Homer, Sappho, and Pindar is virtually impossible to reproduce in English. One scholar put it this way, "The koine Greek of the New Testament rises to levels of expression that defy translation." God had clearly ordained that this centrifugal language be the means to spread the gospel to "the whole world."