Many sayings people believe come from the Bible aren’t actually in the Scripture. These phrases often represent what we are going through or our values but aren’t direct quotes from the Bible.
This article examines 15 commonly mistaken sayings, explaining their origins and what the Bible actually says. By exploring these phrases, readers can understand their true origins and see how they fit into Christian tradition.
“Money is the root of all evil”
We usually hear this quote when someone warns us about being blinded by money. 1 Timothy 6:10 says, “For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.” The Bible doesn’t say money itself is bad, but it warns against letting greed take over. Understanding this can help clarify what the Bible really says about handling wealth and avoiding the pitfalls of putting too much value on money.
“God will never give you more than what you can bear”
This saying is often used to offer comfort to those who are carrying a heavy burden. This quote is inspired by 1 Corinthians 10:13. The verse says, “God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.” It’s actually about God helping you deal with temptation, not every difficulty in life. So, it’s more about providing a way to escape temptation, not necessarily handling every hardship alone.
“God helps those who help themselves”
This phrase is often mistaken for a Biblical quote, but it’s actually from Greek philosophy and was popularized by Benjamin Franklin. Philippians 4:19 says, “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus,” highlighting that God provides for us rather than leaving us to fend for ourselves, but only if we have initiative and are also working hard for it.
“Cleanliness is next to godliness”
This quote encourages people to focus on cleanliness as a way to be closer to God. But the Bible actually says that inner purity and righteousness are more important than physical cleanliness. As 1 Samuel 16:7 says, “Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart,” highlighting that spiritual cleanliness matters more than just being physically clean.
“This, too, shall pass”
We often say this to our parents, friends, or relatives who are going through a hard time and are on the verge of losing hope, but this quote is not biblical at all. However, the Bible also talks about how suffering is temporary for each one of us. For instance, 2 Corinthians 4:17 says, “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” This shows that no matter how tough things get and no matter what problems we face, they’re not the end of the story. Although it’s not biblical, it still serves the purpose of giving hope to people.
“The eye is the window to the soul”
For some, emotions and vulnerability can be seen through their eyes. Similarly, this saying suggests that you can see someone’s true self through their eyes, but the Bible doesn’t say this directly. Matthew 6:22-24 describes the eye as the lamp of the body, saying, “If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness.” So, while the idea has some Biblical roots, it’s not exactly what Scripture says.
“Love the sinner, hate the sin.”
This quote shows how Christians should balance love and correction, but it’s not actually in the Bible. It’s a summary of Biblical ideas rather than a direct quote. In John 8:11, Jesus shows compassion by telling the woman caught in sin to “go now and leave your life of sin,” while still offering love and forgiveness. This captures the spirit of the saying but doesn’t use these exact words.
“When God closes a door, He opens a window.”
This encouraging thought is nowhere to be found in the Bible but its meaning is pretty explanatory. The Scripture does talk about God providing opportunities during tough times. Revelation 3:8 mentions, “I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut,” showing that God opens paths for His plans. This captures the idea of finding new opportunities, but the specific phrase isn’t found in the Bible.
“If God brings you to it, He will lead you through it.”
This phrase is meant to show trust in God’s guidance, but it’s not a direct Biblical quote. The Bible does talk about God’s support during hard times. For example, Psalm 23:4 says, “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.” This verse gives us assurance of trusting God through challenges, even though it doesn’t use these exact words.
“Spare the rod, spoil the child.”
This saying often comes up when talking about disciplining children, but it’s a paraphrase of Proverbs 13:24. The verse actually says, “Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them.” The idea is similar, but the verse emphasizes that discipline should come from a place of love and care, and the importance of guiding children with love, even if it means setting firm boundaries.
“The road to hell is paved with good intentions.”
This saying suggests that just having good intentions isn’t enough to avoid doing wrong, but it’s not actually from the Bible. The Bible teaches that actions need to match God’s will. James 4:17 says, “If anyone knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.” This verse shows that doing the right thing is important, not just having good intentions.
“God moves in mysterious ways.”
Some of us grew up hearing this quote to justify both the blessings and the mishaps that happen to us. This phrase reflects the idea that God’s actions are beyond human understanding but is not directly quoted from the Bible. Isaiah 55:8-9 describes God’s ways and thoughts as higher than ours, indicating divine mystery
“The family that prays together, stays together.”
This saying emphasizes the importance of keeping a family close through prayer, but it’s not a direct quote from the Bible. In Ephesians 6:18, it says, “Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests,” which shows that prayer should be a regular part of life. This verse highlights how important prayer is for a strong and connected family, even if the exact phrase isn’t in the Bible.
“Moderation in all things.”
Do not do too little or too much of anything. This saying is often mistaken for a Biblical principle, but it’s not found in Scripture. The Bible promotes balance and self-control on the things we do in our daily lives, such as in Philippians 4:5, “Let your gentleness be evident to all.”
“Be in the world, but not of the world.”
John 17:16 says, “They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.” To be “of this world” means adopting the values, beliefs, and behaviors of those who don’t believe. Christians are called to be different, not aligning with these worldly influences. Instead, they must follow Christ’s teachings and let their words and actions reflect His truth. The phrase sums up this idea, although it’s not a direct quote from the Bible.
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Jannah is a dedicated Christian content writer with growing experience, driven by her love for sharing the message of faith. She brings dedication and passion to every piece she writes, drawing from her background as a former lector. Jannah is committed to creating meaningful and inspiring content that reflects her Christian values.