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

> No. “Cleanliness is next to godliness” is not in the Bible.

Source: https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/cleanliness-is-next-to-godliness
By Andrew Kittridge · October 28, 2026

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](https://www.lumin.faith/read/psalm/51#10) (Lumin Translation)

> 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](https://www.lumin.faith/read/matthew/23#25) (Lumin Translation)

## Common questions

### 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).

## More

- [Is “To thine own self be true” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/to-thine-own-self-be-true.md)
- [Is “The eyes are the window to the soul” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/the-eyes-are-the-window-to-the-soul.md)
- [Is “The road to hell is paved with good intentions” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/the-road-to-hell-is-paved-with-good-intentions.md)
- [Is “The seven deadly sins” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/the-seven-deadly-sins.md)
- [Is “Christian” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/christian.md)
- [Is “Easter” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/easter.md)
- [Is “Lucifer” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/lucifer.md)
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- [Check any word or a whole song](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-verse-checker)