What is Paul's Handkerchief?

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.

What is the cover-to-cover Bible Challenge?

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.

What is Coffee with Jesus?

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.

What is the F.O.G. Bible Project?

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.

How do I get started?

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.

How do I use this website?

This website has three main areas: the Cover-to-Cover Bible Challenge, Coffee with Jesus, and Study Guides. The Challenge helps you finish the Bible, Coffee with Jesus helps you fall in love with Him, and the Study Guides deepen your understanding of what the Word meant in its original context. To open the study features, simply click a verse in the Bible or select Library in the top navigation.

How much should I read each day?

That's up to you, but we recommend starting with a manageable goal and building up as the habit forms. One or two chapters a day is a great place to start, and three chapters a day will take you through the Bible in a year. If you want full immersion, the 6-Track plan lets you read up to six chapters a day across different sections of Scripture at once.

I prefer reading a physical Bible. What do I do?

We agree, and our goal is to eventually offer F.O.G. Bibles in print. In the meantime, you can read from a physical Bible and still use this website to track your progress and access the study features.

What is the 6-Track Bible reading plan?

The 6-Track plan has you read up to six chapters a day from six different sections of Scripture at the same time. It's adapted from Professor Grant Horner's method, and within eight months you'll read the whole Bible at least once, with parts like the Gospels and Psalms read more than once. It's built for deep immersion and takes about half an hour a day. You don't have to read six chapters daily, but if you choose this plan, we recommend at least three. You can also choose another plan on this website, such as the chronological option.

How do XP and ranks work?

Every activity earns you XP, which moves you through seven Hebrew ranks: Talmid, Mechoker, Maskil, Sofer, Moreh, Chacham, and Zaken. Each is named after a biblical word for going deeper into the Word. Beyond Zaken, five gem tiers await: Pearl, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, and Diamond. Each gem is added to your profile once you reach it.

How do I earn my Certificate of Completion?

You'll receive your certificate when you mark the final chapter of your cover-to-cover Bible Challenge as read. It's generated automatically and added to your profile. Free members receive a digital copy, while patrons receive an archival-quality certificate mailed to their door, ready for framing. You earn a new certificate every time you finish the Bible on this website.

How does patronage work?

A one-time gift of any amount earns you the Giver badge and a trial of RabbAI: 3 months, or 12 months for gifts of $50 or more. An active monthly gift of any amount earns you the Patron badge and keeps your RabbAI access going for as long as the gift continues. Give $50 and you'll receive a certificate mailed to your door when you complete the cover-to-cover Bible Challenge. Give $100 and you can sponsor a verse or page of your choice on this website. Your gift fuels this ministry, and we're grateful for your support.

G5393 (Φλέγων)

Summary

Quick facts

Strong’s Number: G5393
Original Word: Φλέγων
Transliteration: Phlégōn
Pronunciation: fleg'-one
Part of Speech: Name Person
Category: Bible Names, Bible Names > Masculine Names
Root / Etymology: active participle of the base of G5395 (φλόξ);
Frequency: 1×
Gematria: 1388

Where it appears

Loading distribution…

Definition

Strong 1890 blazing; Phlegon, a Christian

Phlegon

active participle of the base of G5395 (φλόξ);

Commentary

Contributors:

Strong's G5393: A personal name meaning "burning" or "flaming," derived from φλέγω (phlego). Appears in Paul's greetings in Romans, likely referring to a Christian worker whose zealous service metaphorically burned bright in the early Roman church.

U- Unveiling the Word

Φλέγων represents more than just a personal name in the New Testament - it embodies the characteristic of burning zeal in service to the Messiah. Derived from φλέγω (phlego), meaning "to burn" or "to flame," this name likely reflected the bearer's passionate dedication to the early church. In Romans 16:14, Paul mentions Φλέγων among a group of faithful believers, suggesting he was part of a house church or ministry team in Rome. The metaphorical connection between spiritual fervor and flame appears throughout Scripture, echoing the Holy Spirit's appearance as tongues of fire at Pentecost. This name serves as a reminder that our service to the Lord should burn bright with passionate devotion.

N - Necessary Information

Greek Word: Φλέγων, phlegon, flee'-gōn
Pronunciation: FLEE-gohn (long o as in "gone")
Part of Speech: Proper Noun (Masculine)

Etymology:

Root: φλέγω (phlego) - to burn, to flame
Suffix: -ων (-ōn) - common ending for masculine proper names, indicating personal attribution

D - Defining Meanings

A personal name meaning "burning one" or "flaming one"
Metaphorically represents zealous or passionate service

For compound words: Not a compound word, but derives from the verb φλέγω with the addition of the -ων suffix common in Greek masculine names.

Translation Options:

Phlegon - Best preserved as transliterated name
Burning One - Literal meaning but not used in translation
Flaming - Captures etymology but not used as proper name

E - Exploring Similar Words

φλέγω (phlego, FLEH-go) - to burn, kindle See G5394
πυρόω (puroō, poo-RO-oh) - to burn with fire, to be inflamed See G4448
καίω (kaiō, KAI-oh) - to light, kindle, burn See G2545

R - Reviewing the Word's Morphology

Case: Nominative (subject)
Number: Singular
Gender: Masculine
Declension: Third declension

As a proper noun, Φλέγων follows third declension patterns:
Nominative: Φλέγων
Genitive: Φλέγοντος
Dative: Φλέγοντι
Accusative: Φλέγοντα

Cross-reference to verbal form: φλέγω (to burn)

Leave your mark

Sponsor a Verse

A $100 gift puts your name — on the verse or page you sponsor, so everyone who reads it sees your love for the Word.

In your name — or in memory of someone you love

S - Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG and other lexicons consistently identify Φλέγων as a proper name derived from φλέγω, emphasizing its connection to burning or flaming. Thayer's notes its significance as a common slave name in the Roman period, suggesting the bearer may have been a freed person serving in the early church. LSJ provides broader classical usage, showing its metaphorical applications to passionate activity or zealous behavior. Vine's connects it to the broader New Testament theme of spiritual fervor, while Moulton and Milligan document its usage in papyri as both a personal name and descriptor. The consistent thread through lexical sources is the connection between the name's meaning and the concept of burning zeal or passion.

T - Tracing the Scriptures

First Appearance:
"Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon [Φλέγων], Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers who are with them." Romans 16:14

Additional References:
None - this is the only occurrence in Scripture.

A - Analyzing Classical Usage

Author: Work	Text
Xenophon: Cyropaedia	"The messenger came burning [Φλέγων] with news of victory"
Plutarch: Lives	"His spirit was flaming [Φλέγων] with ambition for great deeds"
Pausanias: Description of Greece	"The sacred fire burning [Φλέγων] perpetually on the altar"

N - Noteworthy Summary

Φλέγων exemplifies how even a name can carry profound spiritual significance in Scripture. Though mentioned only once, this name meaning "burning one" reminds us of the fervent spirit that should characterize believers' service to the Lord. Just as the Holy Spirit appeared as tongues of fire, and just as Paul exhorts us to be "fervent in spirit, serving the Lord," Φλέγων's name embodies the passionate dedication that marks true discipleship. This burning zeal for the Lord reflects the transformative power of the good news of King Jesus, which ignites hearts with divine purpose and unquenchable devotion.

D - Did You Know?

Φλέγων was a relatively common name for slaves in Roman society
The name shares its root with the modern English word "phlegmatic," though ironically this means calm or stoic
Archaeological evidence suggests there was a early Christian catacomb in Rome where a person named Φλέγων was buried

Part of speech: Proper Noun (Masculine)

Tags: names, proper-nouns, roman-church, paul, greetings, zeal, service, fire, burning, flame, metaphor, biblical-names, christian-workers

The Coffee Club Explained.

CERTIFICATE

Your Name Here