Introduction
In the first installment I addressed four common sayings that many people think are in the Bible but aren’t. In this post I’ll talk about several additional sayings that also aren’t in the Bible. Some of them are adapted from Scripture passages and are therefore close to what’s found there. However, even a small change can significantly alter the meaning of the text.
1. Money is the Rood of All Evil
This is a very commonly used saying that you will almost always hear quoted incorrectly. It’s adapted from 1 Timothy 6:10.
1 TIMOTHY 6:10
9But those who want to be rich fall into temptation, a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and by craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
The saying implies that all evil has money at its source. It can even perpetuate the idea that having money or possessions is bad in and of itself. However, this isn’t the point that the Apostle Paul was making in this passage. Paul here is warning us to be content with what we have and not to wander away from Christ in pursuit of wealth. We can’t allow our desire for stuff to come between us and Christ.
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Jesus talked about money a lot in the Gospel accounts because it’s one of the most potent sources of temptation. However, He never condemned it. He taught good stewardship of our resources.
Another Source of Evil
Money isn’t the only source of human depravity. In fact, one of the most potent sources is that of selfish pride. This includes our desire for self-determination, autonomy from God, and self-promotion. In fact, this was and still is the original sin. We don’t just rebel against God for money. We do it because we don’t want to be obligated to Him. Humans from the beginning have attempted to be gods unto ourselves. We don’t want anyone holding us accountable or telling us what to do. I would conclude that this is the one sin that often causes us to pursue the fulfillment of most other sins.
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2. Cleanliness is Next to Godliness
The phrase “cleanliness is next to Godliness” is found nowhere in the Bible. It is believed to have originated from a sermon given by John Wesley in 1778. The Old Testament, particularly in Leviticus, references ritual cleansing. This was meant to teach the Israelites about purity and holiness and to distinguish them from their sinful neighbors.
In the New Testament there are also references to spiritual cleansing of a believer’s life. This is the idea that sin has been covered by the atoning work of Christ. The Holy Spirit, then, works to change the heart of the believer so that we no longer pursue the corruption of sin, but we begin to pursue the life of Christ (1 Jn. 1:9, Jn. 15:3, 2 Cor. 7:1, Js. 4:8, Eph. 5:26-27).
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3. This Too Shall Pass
The phrase “this too shall pass” isn’t found directly in Scripture although the sentiment is. Its origin is traced back to Persia although some believe it originated with King Solomon.[1] An old folktale claims that King Solomon had this phrase engraved on a ring. More recently, this phrase was used by Abraham Lincoln in a speech in 1859.[2]
It’s a phrase used to give comfort to those who are in a tough season of their life. The closest singular Biblical reference to this idea can be found in 2 Cor. 4:17-18. This sentiment lets us know that what we currently face isn’t eternal and that we can look toward the eternal hope that is in Christ Jesus, our Lord.
2 Corinthians 4:17-18
17For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory. 18So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
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4. The Eye is the Window to the Soul
It’s thought that the saying in this form originated with William Shakespeare. It’s typically said to mean that one can observe your true character, mood, or other traits by observing your eyes. It can also reference the idea that you take in the world around you with your eyes so this is how information enters your mind/soul.
I have heard this saying many times and at one point thought it was a Biblical saying.
However, this exact saying doesn’t show up in the Bible. However, there is a verse in the Bible that is strikingly close.
MATTHEW 6:22
22The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light. 23But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. So if the light within you is darkness, how deep is that darkness!
However, the wording is different in important ways which changes the meaning substantially. In ancient Jewish culture, the eyes were used as metaphors for the direction of focus of your life, not as windows for others to see into your soul. We see this when we look at this passage in the context of the verses around it.
Surrounding Context
Directly preceding Matt. 6:22-23 Jesus instructs us not to store up treasure on earth where it can be destroyed. We are to store up our treasure in heaven where it is eternal. In other words, our focus is to be toward the heavenly and not the earthly.
Directly following these verses Jesus teaches that you can only serve one master and that you cannot serve both God and money. Again, He is teaching that we must choose where our focus is. Are we going to focus on temporal material things or are we going to focus on the eternal hope that we have in Christ? We can’t do both.
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When we consider the historical context and the context in which we find this passage, we come to a different understanding than the popular saying. Our focus (eyes) determines the direction that our lives go (lamp). If our focus is on “whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable…” (Phil. 4:8) then we will be guided by the light of Christ and we will display His light in our lives. Likewise, if our focus is on the temporal and/or the self, then we will walk in the darkness that is separation from God.
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Conclusion
There are many slogans and sayings that sound Biblical or are very close to a Scripture passage. Some are quite harmless and can be used with the best intentions. However, some are distortions of the true Word of God. We must be diligent in studying Scripture so that we can give Biblical counsel and advice and not just slogans that distort the Word of God.Blessings
[1] Rebecca Mashburn, “‘This Too Shall Pass’: History, Origin, and Bible Teaching”, Christianity.com (May 23, 2024), https://www.christianity.com/wiki/bible/this-too-shall-pass.html.
[2] Avi Solomon, “This Too Shall Pass: Tracing an Ancient Jewish Folktale,” Medium.com (April 25, 2013), https://medium.com/learning-for-life/this-too-shall-pass-tracing-an-ancient-jewish-folktale-6f5a1aaa0a0e.
2 thoughts on “More Sayings Not Found in the Bible”
Regarding money the rich young ruler Matthew 19:16-23 has always challenged me. The idea of selling everything, giving it to the poor, to walk with Jesus. I would do it knowing who Jesus is. I think the heart of this is that Jesus knows how much the young ruler loved money and possessions.
So true.