There are many quotes and stories that people think are in the Bible when they actually aren’t. This is usually because the quotes have God in them, which automatically makes people think they’re biblical. Here are 18 things people think are in the Bible but aren’t.
“God Works in Mysterious Ways”
This quote was never actually said in the Bible. This is supported by Lifeway, which writes, “Isaiah 55:8–9 reminds us that God’s ways are different from ours. But no biblical prophet ever uttered those words. It’s more Bono than Bible.” It’s a quote that’s been popularized outside of biblical text, mainly in music.
“Love the Sinner, Hate the Sin”
This quote is actually attributed to St. Augustine and Ghandi, not the Bible. It does, however, reflect biblical themes, as it’s about loving others and rejecting sin. The misconception arises due to a simplification of Bible teachings, where people are taught to do this but aren’t taught the quote.
“Be in the World, But Not of the World”
This quote does not appear in these exact words in the Bible. Similar quotes can be found in John 15:19 and Romans 12:1–2. Even though it isn’t an exact phrase, it still has the same principles that are found in the Bible. The quote means to act in accordance with our righteousness.
“God Will Not Give You More Than You Can Handle”
This quote is a misinterpretation of 1 Corinthians 10:13, which talks about temptation and not being given more than you can handle. It’s now often a quote that’s cited in times of hardship and is supposed to be comforting. It’s seen as misleading because it simplifies human struggles.
The Three Kings
Grunge writes, “Matthew 2:11 states that the Magi brought the child Jesus gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. If there were three gifts, early Christian theologians concluded there were three magi.” While the Bible mentions the Magi, it doesn’t actually state how many and instead goes on the number of gifts Jesus received.
Jesus Being Born in a Stable
While the Bible states that Jesus was born in a manger, it does not directly write that he was born in a stable. Early Christian tradition suggests that Jesus was actually born in a cave near Bethlehem. The concept of the stable is mainly based on the fact that this is where a manger is often found.
Angels as White-Clad Beings with Wings
Biblical descriptions of angels greatly differ from what common depictions of them are. In Ezekiel, angels are described as having multiple faces and covered in eyes, which doesn’t sound as pleasant as what we believe a cherub looks like now. The description of angels has developed over the centuries.
Clerical Celibacy
The New Testament does not mandate celibacy for church leaders. It was early church practices and later church traditions that established this rule. Clerical celibacy is often based on Paul’s recommendations because living a single life means you’re able to focus more easily on God.
Adam’s Apple
The forbidden fruit in Genesis isn’t specified as being an apple. The misinterpretation comes from Latin wordplay by the translator, Jerome. Different ancient texts and artworks have shown various fruits, but in modern times, the forbidden fruit is always illustrated as an apple.
“Neither a Borrower Nor a Lender Be”
This quote is actually by Shakespeare. The quote comes from Hamlet, but many believe Shakespeare may have taken inspiration from the Bible. For example, Premier Christianity writes, “Perhaps he was taking his inspiration from Proverbs 22:7, which similarly observes: ‘The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.’”
“Pride Comes Before a Fall”
This quote is based on Proverbs 16:18, but it’s often misquoted. The quote actually goes, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” It seems the quote has been simplified to make it easier to remember in modern times, and now it’s become a catchy phrase.
The Seven Deadly Sins
The seven deadly sins aren’t listed as such in the Bible. Instead, they were developed by early church fathers and have since been popularized in literature and media. The seven deadly sins represent a categorization of sins rather than something directly from the Bible.
Jonah and the Whale
While the Bible describes a “big fish,” it does not actually specify a whale. Jonah and the Whale may be a popular term, but it isn’t an accurate one. It shows how translations and traditions have shaped biblical narratives across the centuries and how stories have had so many different interpretations.
“Money is the Root of All Evil”
The actual verse comes from 1 Timothy 6:10 and says “the love of money” has all different roots of evil. The misquote can completely change the meaning of what was actually said in the Bible, as it is never stated that money is the root of all evil. Instead, it’s more about what a person decides to do with money.
“The Lion Shall Lie Down with the Lamb”
Never Thirsty writes, “The early church fathers who refer to Isaiah 11:6 all refer to the wolf and lamb dwelling or lying down together. They never cite Isaiah 11:6 as including a lion and a lamb.” This quote comes from a combination of prophecies and is misremembered from Isaiah’s prophecies.
“Cleanliness is Next to Godliness”
This quote cannot be found in the Bible, but it often refers to biblical teachings on purity. It’s thought that the phrase originated from a sermon by John Wesley or from ancient Hebrew traditions to emphasize ritual purity. The quote reflects a general principle of cleanliness rather than a specific commandment.
“This Too Shall Pass”
This is a popular saying that is supposed to bring love and comfort to anyone suffering or going through tough times. The quote suggests that nothing is permanent. Even though it reflects the nature of human conditions, which is present in the Bible, it isn’t a quote directly from there.
“Charity Begins at Home”
This phrase is often used to prioritize family or community when they’re in need of help. Even though the Bible always puts emphasis on helping loved ones at home, this quote is not directly from there. Its concept can be aligned with 1 Timothy 5:8 which discusses the importance of caring for a person’s household.
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