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Is it in the Bible?

Is “Cleanliness is next to godliness” in the Bible?

No. “Cleanliness is next to godliness” is not in the Bible. Scripture’s concern is a clean heart (Psalm 51:10), and Jesus warned against cleaning the outside of the cup while the inside stays full of greed (Matthew 23:25-26).

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The answer

Is “Cleanliness is next to godliness” in the Bible?

Not a Bible verse

No. It is not in the Bible.

Scripture’s concern is a clean heart (Psalm 51:10), and Jesus warned against cleaning the outside of the cup while the inside stays full of greed (Matthew 23:25-26).

Not in the Bible. Origin: An old proverb, quoted by John Wesley in his sermon “On Dress.”

What the Bible says instead

God, create a clean heart for me, and renew a steadfast spirit inside me.
Psalm 51:10 · open the chapter →
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup, so that the outside of it may become clean too.
Matthew 23:25-26 · open the chapter →

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Plain answers.

Is “Cleanliness is next to godliness” in the Bible?

No. “Cleanliness is next to godliness” is not in the Bible. Scripture’s concern is a clean heart (Psalm 51:10), and Jesus warned against cleaning the outside of the cup while the inside stays full of greed (Matthew 23:25-26).

Where does “Cleanliness is next to godliness” come from?

An old proverb, quoted by John Wesley in his sermon “On Dress.”

What does the Bible say instead?

Read Psalm 51:10, Matthew 23:25-26. Scripture’s concern is a clean heart (Psalm 51:10), and Jesus warned against cleaning the outside of the cup while the inside stays full of greed (Matthew 23:25-26).

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