The common saying “cleanliness is next to godliness” raises an important question – what does the Bible have to say about cleanliness and its relationship to godliness? While this exact phrase does not appear in Scripture, there are a number of passages that touch on this topic and provide insight into how cleanliness relates to a godly life.
In the Old Testament, there are many laws and regulations around cleanliness and purification. Much of Leviticus outlines rituals for cleansing and purification after contact with unclean things or people. For example, Leviticus 13-14 details purification rituals after skin diseases, Leviticus 15 discusses purification after bodily discharges, and Leviticus 16 outlines the purification rituals for the Day of Atonement. The motivation behind many of these laws was a desire to be ritually clean before God (see Leviticus 22:3-7). So in the Old Testament, outward cleanliness and purification rituals were closely tied to being able to enter God’s presence and maintain a right relationship with Him.
The New Testament, however, shifts the focus from external cleanliness to internal purity of heart. Jesus criticized the Pharisees for focusing on outward cleanliness while neglecting the condition of their hearts (Luke 11:39-41). He taught that it is not external dirt that defiles someone, but the sin and evil that comes from within (Matthew 15:11, 18-20). What matters most to God is the state of our hearts – that our minds and consciences are purified through Christ (Hebrews 9:14, 22-23). As believers, God calls us to cleanse ourselves from sinful attitudes like malice, deceit, and envy, and to pursue righteousness and peace (James 4:8, Romans 14:17-19).
So while the Old Testament emphasizes external cleanliness, the New Testament focuses on inner purity and holiness. As 1 Timothy 1:5 says, “The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and sincere faith.” And as James writes, “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world” (James 1:27). Love, faith, compassion, righteousness – these qualities of the heart are what God desires over outward displays of piety.
At the same time, pursuing cleanliness and living a hygienic lifestyle is wise and good stewardship of our bodies. As temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20), we should care for our physical bodies. But our motivation should be serving God and others, not legalistic adherence to rituals. Paul addresses this balance in 2 Corinthians 7:1 – “Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.” Our goal should be holiness – both external and internal.
In summary, while the Bible does not directly endorse the saying “cleanliness is next to godliness,” it does connect cleanliness and godliness in the following ways:
- The Old Testament mandatory cleanliness rituals instilled a sense of the importance of purification to approach God.
- The New Testament shifts focus to purity of heart, renewing of the mind, and development of Christlike character.
- God still desires us to be clean and hygienic in caring for our bodies as His temples.
- Our motivation for cleanliness should be a desire to glorify God and serve others, not legalistic rules.
- True cleanliness ultimately springs from being cleansed by Christ through faith.
So while cleanliness alone does not make someone godly, it can be one aspect of living a life devoted to God. When paired with purity, compassion, righteousness, and the other fruits of the Spirit, clean habits and self-care can support a biblical life of faith and devotion.
Here are some key Bible verses that connect cleanliness and godliness:
Leviticus 22:3-7 (ESV)
Say to them, ‘If any one of all your offspring throughout your generations approaches the holy things that the people of Israel dedicate to the Lord, while he has an uncleanness, that person shall be cut off from my presence: I am the Lord. None of the offspring of Aaron who has a leprous disease or a discharge may eat of the holy things until he is clean. Whoever touches anything that is unclean through contact with the dead or a man who has had an emission of semen, and whoever touches a swarming thing by which he may be made unclean or a person from whom he may take uncleanness, whatever his uncleanness may be— the person who touches such a thing shall be unclean until the evening and shall not eat of the holy things unless he has bathed his body in water. When the sun goes down he shall be clean, and afterward he may eat of the holy things, because they are his food.
Matthew 15:11, 18-20 (ESV)
It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person…But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone.
James 4:8 (ESV)
Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
1 Timothy 1:5 (ESV)
The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
James 1:27 (ESV)
Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (ESV)
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
2 Corinthians 7:1 (ESV)
Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.
So in summary, while the Bible does not explicitly endorse the saying that “cleanliness is next to godliness,” it does connect cleanliness, both outward and inward, to living a godly life that is pleasing to God. When our motivation is holiness and our hearts have been cleansed by Christ, clean and hygienic habits can be one small part of our pursuit of godliness in all areas of life.