Topic(s): Bible Study, Bible Authority

Bob Prichard

“Once a man, twice a child,” is a proverb. Proverbs are sayings, usually brief, that distill wisdom into memorable words. We value proverbs because they illuminate the human experience. This proverb points out what we frequently see. The child grows into an adult, but all too often the adult reverts to childlike attitudes and actions. It is common to say that someone is “in their second childhood” because of the way they act. This proverb may very well be true much of the time, but it is not found in the Bible.

Most cultures of the world have many such proverbs, which may be thought provoking and true, but they are not biblical proverbs. The Bible’s book of proverbs, penned by the inspired wise man Solomon, is filled with succinct observations of life, inspired by God. The book of proverbs was revealed by God to help man “To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity; To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion. A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Proverbs 1:2-7).

Since there are so many proverbial and other wise sayings around, we must be careful that we do not attribute things to the Bible that are not in the Bible. To simply say: “The Bible says,” without proper citation, is to risk making the wise thoughts of men of equal value to God’s revelation. Just because something is true or insightful does not mean that it is from the Bible. When Jesus said “ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32), He was not speaking of truth in general, but of Bible truth, the truth of the gospel, which must be obeyed by believers, that makes one free. If someone says, “I don’t know where it is, but I know it is in the Bible,” we should demand that it be properly cited so that we can know if it is really in the Bible.

Too often, people are mistaken about what is in the Bible. Frequently quotations from William Shakespeare, because they have a biblical sound, are thought to be scripture. Examples include, “Lord, what fools these mortals be” (A Midsummer-Night’s Dream); “The sins of the father are to be laid upon the children” (The Merchant of Venice); “Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown” (King Henry IV); and “To thine own self be true” (Hamlet). Similarly, it was poet John Donne who said, “Every man is an island,” not the Apostle Paul. These may be wise sayings, but they are not inspired.

The Bible is unique among all writings in being inspired, or literally “God breathed.” “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:16). It deserves our love, respect, and obedience. We should take care to quote it properly and correctly.