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.

G4955 (συστασιαστής)

Summary

Quick facts

Strong’s Number: G4955
Original Word: συστασιαστής
Transliteration: systasiastḗs
Pronunciation: soos-tas-ee-as-tace'
Part of Speech: noun
Category: Warnings in Love
Root / Etymology: from a compound of G4862 (σύν) and a derivative of G4714 (στάσις);
Frequency: 1×
Gematria: 2020

Where it appears

Loading distribution…

Definition

Strong 1890 a fellow-insurgent

make insurrection with

from a compound of G4862 (σύν) and a derivative of G4714 (στάσις);

Commentary

Contributors:

Strong's G4955: A noun derived from στάσις (uprising), meaning "insurrectionist" or "rebel." Used in Mark's Gospel describing Barabbas, contrasting earthly rebellion against Roman rule with the Messiah's spiritual kingdom.

U- Unveiling the Word

στασιαστής captures the essence of political insurgency against established authority. Derived from στάσις (uprising, rebellion), it describes one who actively participates in insurrection. In Mark's Gospel, it appears in the crucial scene where the crowd chooses Barabbas, an insurrectionist, over Jesus, highlighting the contrast between earthly and spiritual kingdoms. The early church saw this word as symbolic of humanity's rejection of divine authority. Today, it reminds us of the choice between worldly power and the Messiah's kingdom.

N - Necessary Information

Greek Word: στασιαστής, stasiastēs, sta-see-as-TACE
Pronunciation Guide: 'sta' as in 'star', 'see' as in 'see', 'as' as in 'us', 'tace' as in 'face'
Part of Speech: Noun

Etymology:

στάσις (stasis) - root noun meaning "uprising"
-της (-tēs) - agent noun suffix
The root indicates rebellion or uprising
The suffix denotes one who performs the action

D - Defining Meanings

Insurrectionist
Rebel
Revolutionary
One who stirs up rebellion
Political insurgent

For compound words:
Not a compound word, but formed from στάσις with an agent suffix -της indicating the person performing the action

Translation Options:

"Insurrectionist" - Best captures the political nature
"Rebel" - Emphasizes opposition to authority
"Revolutionary" - Highlights active participation in uprising

E - Exploring Similar Words

στάσις (stasis, STA-sis) - uprising, dissension - See G4714
λῃστής (lēstēs, lays-TACE) - robber, bandit - See G3027
ἀποστάτης (apostatēs, ap-os-TA-tace) - rebel, apostate - See G646

R - Reviewing the Word's Morphology

As a noun, στασιαστής exhibits these features:

Case: Nominative, Genitive, Dative, Accusative
Number: Singular, Plural
Gender: Masculine
Declension: First

Examples of morphological changes:

Finish the Bible

Get Your Certificate

Give a gift of $50 or more and receive a certificate, mailed to your door.

Archival-quality print — ready for framing

Nominative singular: στασιαστής
Genitive singular: στασιαστοῦ
Dative singular: στασιαστῇ
Accusative singular: στασιαστήν

S - Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes στασιαστής's political implications. Thayer's notes its connection to violent uprising. LSJ documents extensive usage in political contexts. Vine's connects it to opposition against authority. Strong's highlights its root in civil discord. LEH traces similar concepts in political resistance. Moulton and Milligan find it common in legal documents describing insurgents.

T - Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
And there was one named Barabbas, which lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him, who had committed murder in the [στασιαστής] insurrection. Mark 15:7

Additional References:
None - This is the only occurrence in the New Testament.

A - Analyzing Classical Usage

Author: Work	Text
Thucydides: History	"The [στασιαστής] rebels took control of the city's defenses."
Xenophon: Hellenica	"The [στασιαστής] insurgents gathered supporters against the government."
Plutarch: Lives	"He led the [στασιαστής] revolutionaries in their uprising."

N - Noteworthy Summary

στασιαστής powerfully illustrates the human tendency to choose political revolution over spiritual transformation. The crowd's preference for Barabbas over Jesus reveals how people often reject the Messiah's peaceful kingdom for violent rebellion. Yet this word reminds us that true freedom comes through submission to King Jesus.

D - Did You Know?

The term was commonly used in Roman legal documents for political criminals
Early church writers used it to contrast earthly and heavenly kingdoms
It appears in ancient graffiti describing popular resistance leaders

Part of speech: Noun

Tags: rebellion, insurrection, Barabbas, Jesus, kingdoms, authority, revolution, politics, choice, rejection

The Coffee Club Explained.

CERTIFICATE

Your Name Here