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.
fond of one's children, i.e. maternal
Loading distribution…
Commentary
Contributors: · · · ·
Strong's G5388: A compound adjective combining philos (loving) and teknon (child), indicating one who demonstrates devoted affection and nurturing care toward children. This term, appearing in Paul's letter to Titus, establishes parental love as a foundational Christian virtue, emphasizing intentional, selfless dedication to raising children in godly ways.
U- Unveiling the Word
φιλότεκνος represents a profound theological concept that interweaves natural parental affection with spiritual responsibility. This compound word beautifully captures the essence of Christian parenting by combining the deep, friendship-style love (philos) with the object of that love - children (teknon). In the context of Titus 2:4, it specifically addresses young wives, establishing that loving one's children is not merely a natural instinct but a Christian virtue to be cultivated and taught. This word carries particular weight in early church teachings, where the family unit was seen as a microcosm of the church itself. The emphasis on intentional, devoted love for children reflects the Heavenly Father's love for His children and continues to challenge modern believers to prioritize family relationships in an increasingly individualistic world.
N - Necessary Information
Etymology:
D - Defining Meanings
For compound words:
Translation Options:
E - Exploring Similar Words
R - Reviewing the Word's Morphology
Morphological Features:
The word can appear in different forms:
Related words:
Quiz Yourself on Anything
As a monthly patron you can generate custom quizzes and crosswords on anything you like — for example, a Scholar-level quiz on Psalm 23 in seconds.
S - Studying Lexicon Insights
In examining φιλότεκνος across major lexicons, we find a rich tapestry of meaning that goes beyond simple parental affection. BDAG emphasizes its connection to household management virtues in the Pastoral Epistles. Thayer's highlights its usage in describing the ideal Christian mother, while LSJ provides evidence of its broader cultural usage in Greco-Roman society. Vine's draws attention to its connection with other φιλο- compound words in the New Testament, showing how it fits into a broader pattern of Christian love. Moulton and Milligan's papyrological evidence suggests it was commonly used in family contexts to praise exemplary parents. The word appears in both Jewish and Gentile contexts, indicating its universal appeal in describing proper parental care.
T - Tracing the Scriptures
First appearance:
"That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children [φιλοτέκνους]" - Titus 2:4
Additional References:
As a Biblical hapax legomenon, this word appears only in Titus 2:4.
A - Analyzing Classical Usage
N - Noteworthy Summary
φιλότεκνος stands as a powerful testament to the divine design of parental love. This compound word beautifully captures both the emotional and practical aspects of loving children, reflecting our Heavenly Father's love for His children. In a world where family values are increasingly challenged, this word reminds us that loving our children is not optional but essential to Christian discipleship. It proclaims the good news by showing how King Jesus transforms family relationships, making them reflections of His kingdom where love, nurture, and discipleship naturally flow together. This word challenges us to love our children not just emotionally but with purposeful, Christ-centered devotion.
D - Did You Know?
Strong's G5388: A compound adjective combining philos (loving) and teknon (child), indicating one who demonstrates devoted affection and nurturing care toward children. This term, appearing in Paul's letter to Titus, establishes parental love as a foundational Christian virtue, emphasizing intentional, selfless dedication to raising children in godly ways.
Part of speech: Adjective
Tags: parenting, love, family, children, maternal love, paternal love, Christian virtues, household codes, pastoral epistles, Paul, Titus, biblical parenting, Christian family