Bible or popular saying?
Five familiar phrases Their context A place to start reading
Five familiar phrases
Bible or popular saying?
Explore five familiar phrases, discover their context, and find a new place to start reading.
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How the answers work
- In the Bible: A Bible quotation or faithful excerpt.
- Misquoted: An altered quotation that changes the meaning.
- Not in the Bible: A popular saying, not a Bible quotation.
"Misquoted" means the change alters the meaning. A faithful paraphrase still counts as "In the Bible" when its wording differs from the translation shown. "Not in the Bible" means the words are not a Bible quotation; it doesn't settle every question the saying raises. Bible wording is from the World English Bible (WEB).
Question 1 of 5
“God helps those who help themselves.”
Answer: Not in the Bible
This is a popular saying, not a Bible quotation. Recognizing a familiar phrase is different from identifying a passage of Scripture.
Question 2 of 5
“Money is the root of all evil.”
Answer: Misquoted
The passage speaks about the love of money. The surrounding chapter discusses contentment, misplaced trust, and generosity. Read 1 Timothy 6:6-10 and 17-19.
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some have been led astray from the faith in their greed, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
Question 3 of 5
“Iron sharpens iron.”
Answer: In the Bible, an excerpt
Proverbs 27:17 begins with this phrase, then applies the image to the way one person affects a friend. Read the whole verse before applying the image.
Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens his friend’s countenance.
Question 4 of 5
“Cleanliness is next to godliness.”
Answer: Not in the Bible
This familiar saying is not a Bible quotation. James 1:27 describes care for people in distress and a life kept from the world's corruption. That passage is a related reading, not the origin of the saying.
Pure religion and undefiled before our God and Father is this: to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.
Question 5 of 5
“By the skin of my teeth.”
Answer: In the Bible, an excerpt
The expression appears in Job 19:20 as Job describes his suffering. In context, this is part of a lament, not a general promise of an easy escape.
My bones stick to my skin and to my flesh. I have escaped by the skin of my teeth.
Your result
You explored all five.
Recognizing a phrase is a beginning. Reading the chapter helps us understand it.
All five answers
“God helps those who help themselves.” Not in the Bible
This is a popular saying, not a Bible quotation. Recognizing a familiar phrase is different from identifying a passage of Scripture.
“Money is the root of all evil.” Misquoted
The passage speaks about the love of money. The surrounding chapter discusses contentment, misplaced trust, and generosity. Read 1 Timothy 6:6-10 and 17-19.
1 Timothy 6:10 (WEB)
“Iron sharpens iron.” In the Bible, an excerpt
Proverbs 27:17 begins with this phrase, then applies the image to the way one person affects a friend. Read the whole verse before applying the image.
Proverbs 27:17 (WEB)
“Cleanliness is next to godliness.” Not in the Bible
This familiar saying is not a Bible quotation. James 1:27 describes care for people in distress and a life kept from the world's corruption. That passage is a related reading, not the origin of the saying.
James 1:27 (WEB), a related reading
“By the skin of my teeth.” In the Bible, an excerpt
The expression appears in Job 19:20 as Job describes his suffering. In context, this is part of a lament, not a general promise of an easy escape.
Job 19:20 (WEB)
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An excerpt from Exegeo's chapter summary
1 Timothy 6
Overview
Paul concludes 1 Timothy with instructions for slaves to honour their masters, a warning against teachers who use godliness as a means of financial gain, and the foundational principle that godliness with contentment is itself great gain. He identifies the love of money as a root of all kinds of evil and charges Timothy to flee these temptations and fight the good fight of faith. The wealthy are commanded not to be haughty or to trust in riches but to be generous and rich in good works.
Key thought
The love of money, not money itself, is the root of all kinds of evil; the problem is a disordered affection that displaces trust in God with trust in material security.
Key verse
10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil: which some reaching after have been led astray from the faith, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
Practical application
Practice contentment as a spiritual discipline by regularly giving thanks for what you have and resisting the cultural pressure to define flourishing by accumulation.
Every chapter summary in Exegeo has these four parts. This excerpt shows one key thought and one application from the full summary. The summary is commentary, not Scripture.
The overview mentions the chapter's opening verses, which address believers who were enslaved in households of the Roman world. Paul gives instructions to people living inside that system. Quoting the summary here does not endorse slavery.
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