Is cleanliness to godliness in the Bible?

Answer 1

There is no scripture in The Bible that says exactly "Cleanliness is next to Godliness." It is simply a common saying.

However, it is clear in the scriptures that God values cleanliness and godliness:

"Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water."

Hebrews 10:22

"Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;"

Isaiah 1:16

"And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;

And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;"

2 Peter 1:5-6

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

1 John 1:9

"Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God."

2 Corinthians 7:1

"Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded."

James 4:8

"Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart."

Psalms 73:1

Answer 2

ANSWER

While it doesn't appear as a verse, it may be connected to the ritual cleansings that are an important part of the Hebrew scriptures, and that appear in the Greek scriptures as well. Ritual cleanliness does not have to do with sinfulness, but with being fully prepared to join in ritual worship of various kinds.

ANSWER

None, but you cannot be godly unless you are clean. That is why you have to be washed with the blood of the Lamb first to be godly. So that saying is quite true.

ANSWER

It is quoted by John Wesley in a sermon about dress.

Let it be observed, that slovenliness is no part of religion; that neither this, nor any text of Scripture, condemns neatness of apparel. Certainly this is a duty, not a sin. 'Cleanliness is, indeed, next to godliness.' Sermons No xciii, '' On Dress."

ANSWER

Well that's not a verse in the Bible, but the statement is biblical. Cleanliness is actually a part of godliness. In the book of Galatians, it speaks on the opposite of cleanliness, which is uncleanliness:

Galatians 5:19-21

"19Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

20Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

21Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God."

In the book of Hebrews it states the following on holiness:

Hebrews 12:14

"14Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:"

Godliness and holiness are both closely associated terms. They both refer to the lifestyle that is required by God. As you can see, if you have uncleanliness in your life, then you need to get whatever that is making your heart unclean. God isn't pleased with that. You will not enter into the kingdom of God with that. But with holiness you will enter the kingdom of God.

So to conclude, its not a Bible verse, and I have provided the Biblical references clarifying the relationship between godliness and cleanliness as stated in the quote.

Just to clarify on what makes a man unclean:

Matthew 15:10-20

"10And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand:

11Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.

12Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?

13But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.

14Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

15Then answered Peter and said unto him, Declare unto us this parable.

16And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding?

17Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught?

18But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.

19For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:

20These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man."

Answer 3

Because of the shockingly unhygienic conditions in Europe and the United States during the 18th and 19th centuries, missionaries of that period preached what might be termed “a doctrine of cleanliness.” This doctrine equated filth with sin, whereas cleanliness was said to bring one closer to God. Perhaps this is what made popular the axiom “Cleanliness is next to godliness.” This view was taken by the Salvation Army, founded by William and Catherine Booth. According to the book Health and Medicine in the Evangelical Tradition, one of their earliest slogans was: “Soap, Soup, and Salvation.” Then, when Louis Pasteur and others demonstrated beyond doubt the connection between illness and bacteria, it only added impetus to and a scientific basis for better public-health schemes. God is clean and is evident in the way the earth is design. We can see how nature repairs itself when left alone. And how our own bodies are constantly making sure everything is clean and working properly. Cleanliness is a quality that comes from god and since we are made in his image, we also have this quality to want to keep ourselves clean.

Answer 4

No, it is associated with Francis Bacon and a bit later, John Wesley. See related link:

Answer 5

The phrase is not in the Bible as stated.

Answer 6

No.