In this new series, we will continue to give examples of phrases from the Bible that are part and parcel of our everyday language. We will also give examples which are not found in the Bible per se, but which are close and express biblical principles, and we will quote examples which are not in the Bible and even contradict biblical teaching, even though some people think that they are in God’s Word.
Pride goes before a fall
This is a close quote, but not totally accurate. The passage in Proverbs 16:18 reads: “Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.” On Little House on the Prairie, Caroline Ingalls corrected Mrs. Oleson who had just chastened her with the misquote of pride goes before a fall.
A labor of love
This phrase is used to describe the motive behind working or laboring. Ultimately, we work for God. Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 1:3: “… remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father…”
No rest for the wicked
A common phrase, but again, not totally accurate. The passage in Isaiah 57:21 reads: “‘There is no peace,’ Says my God, ‘for the wicked.’” Of course, both phrases are connected. Someone who has no rest has no peace. He lives in constant fear.
Casting pearls before swine
It is often used to say that we must be careful not to share good advice with others who don’t want it. It goes back to Christ’s stern warning not to teach spiritual knowledge to those who reject and despise it.
He said in Matthew 7:6: “Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.”
Go the extra mile
Again, not a totally accurate quote. It refers to the idea to go beyond and above what we must do… be it in respect to our work or to our relationship with others. Christ used this phrase to warn His disciples not to turn to violent resistance against the government. The Romans had a habit of forcing casual travelers to carry their belongings for a mile. Christ said that rather than violently resisting such practice, volunteer to go even another mile with them. He said in Matthew 5:41: “And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.”
Turn the other cheek
A close quote, but not totally accurate. It stands in direct context with the concept of going the extra mile. Jesus was saying that we must not resist others by resorting to violence; that it is better to suffer injustice than to commit it ourselves. He states in Matthew 5:39: “But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.”
An eye for an eye
A phrase associated today with revenge. However, it is based on equal or retaliatory justice. It has been wrongfully used to justify revenge, but the real purpose was to have a judge or magistrate give fair compensation for a harm done… to pay the victim the value of the incurred damage.
Exodus 21:24-25 reads: “… eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.”
A thorn in the flesh
This phrase is used in this world to describe a sometimes minor, uncomfortable unpleasantry. However, it is a famous saying by Paul, who suffered, it seems, from an incurable physical sickness which he attributed to Satan’s doing. Paul asked God three times to be healed from this disease but God told him that in that particular case, God said HE wanted Paul to stay “weak” so that God’s strength could rule his life. Paul relates this in 2 Corinthians 12:7-9 as follows:
“And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.’”
A house divided against itself will not stand
This phrase can be found in Matthew 12:25 where Christ said: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand.”
This quote is often attributed to Abraham Lincoln. But while he used the phrase in a famous speech, he didn’t invent it. Jesus used it when dealing with Pharisees, claiming wrongfully that He was casting out demons because He was allegedly possessed Himself. He asked the Pharisees with what power their sons cast out demons (a power He had given some of them at that time).
See eye to eye
This phrase signifies that people agree on something. It is taken from Isaiah 52:8 which says: “Your watchmen shall lift up their voices, With their voices they shall sing together; For they shall see eye to eye When the LORD brings back Zion.” They will see “eye to eye” or agree with God.
There are many more examples which we could have given.
The Bible is, and has been down through the last 2,000 years, respected by so many who appreciate its wisdom and the Truth it reveals.
On the digitalcommons.liberty.edu website, they list 60 famous people, 16 of whom were Presidents of the USA, who speak so highly about the Word of God. Below are just 6 of these which are a small sample size of those to whom the Bible was precious:
Abraham Lincoln – “But for this Book we could not know right from wrong. I believe the Bible is the best gift God has ever given to man.”
Franklin D. Roosevelt – “It is a fountain of strength. I feel that a comprehensive study of the Bible is a liberal education for anyone.”
Winston Churchill – “We rest with assurance upon the impregnable rock of Holy Scripture.”
Haile Selassie – “The Bible is not only a great book of historical reference, but it also is a guide for daily life, and for this reason I respect it and I love it.”
Douglas MacArthur – “Believe me, sir, never a night goes by, be I ever so tired, but I read the Word of God before I go to bed.”
Charles Dickens – “It is the best Book that ever was or ever will be in the world.”
And from this Book of books we have only quoted a few examples in this Q&A of its influence on our everyday language and there are scores more which are worth reviewing when you take the time.
On the other hand, we do not want to conclude this Q&A without pointing out that there are “famous” phrases which are NOT in the Bible, even though some people may think that they are.
“God helps those who help themselves”
This phrase is not in Scripture. It actually has its origin in ancient Greek, even though it is most often attributed to Benjamin Franklin since it appeared in his book Poor Richard’s Almanac. One commentator wrote: “This runs contrary to biblical teaching, since man can do nothing to help himself apart from God’s grace”—or we might add, “apart from God’s Will.”
“Cleanliness is next to godliness”
This phrase was used by Charles Dickens in his book Great Expectations, but it does not appear in the Bible.
“God works in mysterious ways”
This is a paraphrase of a 19th-century hymn by the English poet William Cowper (“God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform’). It does not appear in the Bible, but the Bible does say, of course, that there are certain mysteries which He has revealed only to His people.
“Money is the root of all evil”
It’s close, but not totally accurate. Instead it says, “For the LOVE of money is a root of all kinds of evil” (1 Timothy 6:10).
“The seven deadly sins”
This list of seven deadly sins (wrath, greed, sloth, pride, lust, envy, gluttony) is not in the Bible. It was the Catholic Church that made up this phrase and its accompanying list. It is most certainly inaccurate to assume that these sins are “more deadly” than the violation of the Ten Commandments and its statutes and judgments.
“Charity begins at home”
This phrase is credited to Terence, the Roman comic writer. But it is also sometimes attributed to Sir Thomas Browne. It is not found in the Bible.
“The road to hell is paved with good intentions”
A common saying which is not found in Scripture. Another false quote would be: “All roads lead to Rome.”
“Once saved, always saved”
This phrase expresses a completely false concept of salvation. It is not found in the Bible.
God will never give you more than you can handle
This is another common phrase which, as quoted, is not in accordance with Scripture. It is not found in the Bible. One commentary stated astutely:
“When someone is going through a difficult time in life, whether they are feeling overwhelmed, stricken with grief, or just generally burdened, they are often encouraged that though their challenges are considerable, God would never give them more than they could handle. But, despite what we might say, God will give us more than we can handle [or bear].
“Rather, God will never allow us to be tempted [or tested] beyond what we are able to [handle or bear]. He will always provide a way for us [to escape and] to be faithful to Him, even when the pull toward a different path is as strong as it has ever been.”
Paul assures us in 1 Corinthians 10:13:
“No temptation [or sore trial] has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”
So, whatever we are being confronted with, GOD will help us. We need GOD… on our own, we can do and accomplish nothing. But with God, we can do and endure everything.
“Love the sinner, hate the sin”
Even commonly used in religious circles, Christ did not say these words.
St. Augustine’s Letter 211 (c. 424) contains the phrase Cum dilectione hominum et odio vitiorum, which translates roughly to “With love for mankind and hatred of sins.” The phrase has become more famous as “love the sinner but hate the sin” or “hate the sin and not the sinner” (the latter form appearing in Mohandas Gandhi’s 1929 autobiography).
Next time you hear yourself say something that sounds pretty familiar and you think that it might be from the Bible, it is a good reason to find out if it is or not, and if it is, from which book of the Bible it is from.
Lead Writers: Brian Gale (United Kingdom) and Norbert Link