Where does “charity begins at home” come from?

The thought reaches back to the Roman playwright Terence in the second century before Christ, and the familiar English form is recorded in Sir Thomas Browne's Religio Medici in 1642. It became a common English proverb from there. It is not a Bible verse and appears in no translation of Scripture.

Does the Bible tell us to care for our own family first?

Yes, in part. 1 Timothy 5:8 says anyone who fails to provide for their own household has denied the faith. But the Bible pairs this with Galatians 6:10, which calls us to do good to all people. So caring for family is a real duty, not an excuse to neglect others.

Does the Bible say it?

“Charity begins at home”: is it in the Bible?

No, this saying is not in the Bible. Its roots reach back to the Roman playwright Terence, and the familiar English form appears in Sir Thomas Browne's Religio Medici of 1642. Scripture does teach a related duty: 1 Timothy 5:8 says to provide for your own household, while Galatians 6:10 calls us to do good to all people, not only our own.

VerdictNot in the Bible at all

What it actually is

This proverb is not Scripture. Its idea goes back to the Roman playwright Terence in antiquity, and the familiar English wording appears in Sir Thomas Browne's Religio Medici, published in 1642. From there it passed into common English usage. No Bible verse contains the phrase “charity begins at home.”

The saying is sometimes used to excuse ignoring people beyond our own family, which is where it can go wrong. Scripture does affirm a real duty to care for those closest to us, but it never lets that duty cancel our call to love the stranger and the neighbor.

What the Bible actually says

The Bible does not use this phrase, but it does balance caring for your own household with doing good to everyone.

“But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.”

1 Timothy 5:8

“As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”

Galatians 6:10

So Scripture holds both together: provide faithfully for your own, and keep doing good to all as you have opportunity.

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A better question than the quote

Behind every “is this in the Bible?” is a gentler one: what does the Bible actually say, and who is the Jesus at the center of it? You do not have to take our word for it, ours least of all. Read his own words and see for yourself. It costs nothing but a little quiet and an honest look.

Meet Jesus His words and acts Read the Gospel of John

Jesus Christ is Lord.

Frequently asked questions

Where does “charity begins at home” come from?: The thought reaches back to the Roman playwright Terence in the second century before Christ, and the familiar English form is recorded in Sir Thomas Browne's Religio Medici in 1642. It became a common English proverb from there. It is not a Bible verse and appears in no translation of Scripture.
Does the Bible tell us to care for our own family first?: Yes, in part. 1 Timothy 5:8 says anyone who fails to provide for their own household has denied the faith. But the Bible pairs this with Galatians 6:10, which calls us to do good to all people. So caring for family is a real duty, not an excuse to neglect others.

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