Everything you need to know.
of Completion
This certifies that
Is on track to complete the Bible for the 1st time in 240 days.
Paul's Handkerchief combines the latest in biblical scholarship alongside 'coffee with Jesus' activities to reclaim the Ancient Near East context, romance, and mystery of our Bibles.
Few people who start reading the Bible ever finish it. The cover-to-cover challenge is for those ready to break that cycle — reading the entire Bible at their own pace, backed by community and tools built to make finishing not just possible, but inevitable. You will also get a certificate to celebrate your achievement each time.
Having a coffee with Jesus is about spending quality time with Him. It isn't just Bible study, but a personal, intimate conversation with Him. Think less classroom, more kitchen table. The devotionals, quizzes, crosswords and journaling are all designed to let the Word shape your heart, not just your head.
Most English Bibles can't carry the full weight of what's in the original Hebrew and Greek. The F.O.G. Bible Project exists to change that: three new translations built publicly (a Study Bible, a Reader's Paraphrase, and F.O.G. Family), plus a word-by-word renewal of Strong's Concordance. It is Jean Paul Joseph's lifelong work, unfolding in public — and you're invited in.
Jean Paul Joseph is the lead editor of the F.O.G. Bible Project. He works from a personal encounter with Jesus first, then draws on the scholarship of respected Jewish and Christian scholars to produce resources designed for falling in love with the Word.
Join the club, pick a Bible translation and a reading style that fits you, and you're in. From there, the app tracks your progress and helps keep you showing up — day after day, chapter after chapter.
a mark incised or punched (for recognition of ownership), i.e. (figuratively) scar of service
Loading distribution…
Strong 1890 a mark incised or punched (for recognition of ownership), i.e. (figuratively) scar of service
from a primary (to "stick", i.e. prick);
Commentary
Contributors: · · · ·
Strong's G4742: A neuter noun referring to a mark or brand, typically made on the body. In its sole New Testament appearance, Paul uses it to describe the physical marks of persecution he bore for Christ, drawing on cultural understanding of both slave brands and religious devotional marks.
U- Unveiling the Word
στίγμα represents physical marks with deep symbolic meaning. In ancient culture, it could refer to slave brands, religious devotional marks, or military tattoos indicating loyalty. Paul transforms this concept by applying it to his wounds from persecution, presenting them as marks of ownership by and devotion to Christ. Early church fathers saw in these stigmata evidence of authentic apostleship and genuine discipleship. Today, it continues to symbolize the physical and social cost of following Christ and the visible marks of Christian devotion.
N - Necessary Information
Etymology:
D - Defining Meanings
For compound words:
Not applicable as this is a simple noun
Translation Options:
E - Exploring Similar Words
R - Reviewing the Word's Morphology
For this noun:
Examples:
Get Your Certificate
Give a gift of $50 or more and receive a certificate, mailed to your door.
S - Studying Lexicon Insights
BDAG emphasizes ownership marks context. Thayer's notes religious significance. LSJ documents various cultural uses. Vine's highlights Paul's unique application. Strong's connects to permanent marking. LEH traces Septuagint parallels. Moulton and Milligan show slave document usage.
T - Tracing the Scriptures
First appearance:
Galatians 6:17: "From now on let no one trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks [στίγμα] of the Lord Jesus."
A - Analyzing Classical Usage
N - Noteworthy Summary
στίγμα reveals how the Messiah transforms symbols of shame into badges of honor. It proclaims the good news that suffering for Christ is a privilege that marks us as His own. This word challenges us to view our trials and persecutions as visible signs of belonging to Jesus.
D - Did You Know?
Strong's G4742: A neuter noun referring to a mark or brand, typically made on the body. In its sole New Testament appearance, Paul uses it to describe the physical marks of persecution he bore for Christ, drawing on cultural understanding of both slave brands and religious devotional marks.
Part of speech: Noun (neuter)
Tags: marks, persecution, suffering, devotion, ownership, Paul, apostleship, physical-marks, religious-symbols, persecution-marks, discipleship-cost, Christian-identity, suffering-for-Christ, loyalty-marks, battle-scars