It’s surprising how many sayings and concepts people assume are in the Bible but actually aren’t. Over time, cultural traditions and misquotations have contributed to the widespread belief that certain phrases and ideas have biblical origins. In truth, many of these commonly cited “biblical” principles have no scriptural foundation whatsoever. Let’s uncover eight things people frequently think are in the Bible but are not.
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#1 “God Helps Those Who Help Themselves”
This popular saying is often cited as a biblical truth, but it’s not found anywhere in the Bible. Its origins trace back to ancient Greek literature and were popularized in modern times by Benjamin Franklin. The Bible actually emphasizes reliance on God and helping those in need rather than a self-help approach.
#2 “Money Is The Root of All Evil”
This saying is a misquotation of 1 Timothy 6:10, which actually states, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.” The distinction is important because the Bible warns against the excessive desire for wealth, not money itself, which can be used for good or bad purposes.
#3 “Cleanliness is Next to Godliness”
Many people believe this phrase is scriptural, yet it doesn’t appear in any biblical text. The saying is attributed to John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, in the 18th century. While the Bible does discuss spiritual purity, it doesn’t equate physical cleanliness with godliness.
#4 “God Will Never Give You More Than You Can Handle”
Often offered as comfort during tough times, this phrase is not in the Bible. It is a misinterpretation of 1 Corinthians 10:13, which speaks about temptation, not life’s hardships. The Bible does assure believers that God will provide strength and support, but it doesn’t promise an easy load.
#5 “Hate The Sin, Love The Sinner”
Though this concept is aligned with biblical teachings on compassion and forgiveness, the exact phrase isn’t found in the scriptures. It’s attributed to St. Augustine and later popularized by Mahatma Gandhi. The Bible encourages loving others while rejecting sinful actions, but it doesn’t explicitly use this phrase.
#6 “This Too Shall Pass”
Although this phrase is commonly used to comfort someone going through tough times, it isn’t from the Bible. Its origins are more likely from Persian poets. While the Bible does talk about the transient nature of life’s struggles, this specific phrase isn’t scriptural.
#7 “Spare The Rod, Spoil The Child”
This phrase is often cited as biblical, but it’s a paraphrase of Proverbs 13:24, which says, “Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them.” The Bible emphasizes the importance of discipline, but the paraphrased version simplifies the concept.
#8 “The Lion Shall Lay Down with The Lamb”
This image of peace is frequently attributed to the Bible but is a misquote of Isaiah 11:6, which actually says, “The wolf shall dwell with the lamb.” The passage describes a future time of peace, but the specific pairing of a lion and a lamb is a poetic reinterpretation, not a biblical quote.
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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