Does the Bible say it?
“Cleanliness is next to godliness”: is it in the Bible?
No, this is not in the Bible. It is an old proverb, most famously quoted by John Wesley in a 1791 sermon, where he called it a known saying rather than Scripture. The Bible cares most about a clean heart, not merely a clean body.
What it actually is
The words are not Scripture. The best-known source is John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, who in his sermon “On Dress” (1791) wrote, “Slovenliness is no part of religion... Cleanliness is, indeed, next to godliness.” Notice that Wesley was quoting an existing proverb, not citing the Bible. Similar sentiments appear in earlier Greek and rabbinic writers, but the phrase itself is not in Scripture.
What the Bible actually says
Scripture does speak of cleanness, but points past the outside to the heart:
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 JesusHis words and actsRead the Gospel of JohnJesus Christ is Lord.
Frequently asked questions
- Is “Cleanliness is next to godliness” in the Bible?
- No. The phrase is not in the Bible. It was a proverb popularized by John Wesley in his 1791 sermon 'On Dress,' where he presented it as a known saying.
- Where does “Cleanliness is next to godliness” come from?
- It is an old proverb of uncertain origin, quoted by John Wesley. Similar ideas appear in ancient Greek and rabbinic writings, but not in the Bible.