Benedict HarperHave you ever wondered if a familiar saying truly reflects Scripture, or if it comforts us more than it quotes?
Many Americans repeat the phrase during hard seasons, yet the exact wording is not in the book most expect.
We will show how Scripture promises God’s presence amid pain, offering renewal and peace when days feel long.
Read on to explore key passages that contrast what fades in this world with what endures in God’s word. We preview 1 John 2:17, Matthew 24:35, and 2 Corinthians 5:17 to set the roadmap.
Along the way, we’ll trace the phrase’s origin, explain why people link it to Scripture, and offer practical hope for daily life.
Our aim is calm encouragement for lives facing hard times, a steady anchor when morning seems distant.
What People Mean by “This Too Shall Pass” — And Why It’s Often Mistaken as a Bible Verse
C. Many people reach for a short saying when life feels heavy, hoping comfort will follow.
Myth-buster: the exact wording does not appear in sacred texts. Yet the words reflect familiar biblical themes about transient suffering and steady hope. Passages such as 2 Corinthians 4:16–18 call troubles “light and momentary,” while John 16:33 admits the world brings trouble but points to Christ’s victory.
Why the mix-up? English translations often repeat the formula “it shall come to pass” in prophecy and narrative. Those phrases sound similar and lead people to assume the short saying is scriptural.
- Comfort role: Many people use the phrase to soothe despair and encourage patience in hard times.
- Scripture alignment: The thought matches the Bible’s view that seasons change and hope endures.
- Deeper hope: Christian hope rests not only on time but on God’s character and promises.
“When a lot feels uncertain, the invitation is to locate hope in God’s steadfast love rather than in time alone.”
Use the saying as a gentle reminder, while leaning on explicit promises about peace and perseverance. Next we trace the phrase’s origin and survey key passages that frame a biblical view of changing seasons.
Origins and History: From Persian Wisdom to King Solomon Folklore and Abraham Lincoln
The phrase traces a clear path from Persian poets to Jewish storytellers and then into American memory.
Persian roots
Early Persian literature uses the line “این نیز بگذرد” (in nīz bogzarad) to point out the fleeting nature of joy and sorrow. Poets used it to remind readers that life moves in cycles and time softens sharp feelings.
Jewish folklore
One popular tale links a wise king—often named as King Solomon—with a ring given to steady the heart in changing ways. The Hebrew inscription read Gam ze ya’avor, a compact reminder that no season lasts forever.
“Gam ze ya’avor”
American memory
Abraham Lincoln helped make the words familiar to modern audiences in an 1859 address. He told a story about an “Eastern monarch” whose sages offered the sentence “And this, too, shall pass away” to both humble pride and console grief.
Over time, the phrase moved across languages and context. It became a common set of words that people call on when years feel heavy, when work on the earth seems uncertain, or when the world shifts their ways.
- Persian poets framed the idea as part of life’s ebb.
- Jewish stories linked it to a royal ring and steady counsel.
- Abraham Lincoln carried the line into American public speech in 1859.
This too shall pass bible verse and meaning: What Scripture Actually Says
Many biblical books repeat the formula “it shall come to pass,” which explains why a short modern slogan feels like scripture. That recurring phrase appears in prophecy, promise, and plain narrative across the sacred book.
Why many think it’s biblical: “It shall come to pass” versus “This too shall pass”
Fact: prophetic language in Deuteronomy, Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Acts uses a clear cadence that resembles the popular line. Readers often conflate familiar phrasing with a direct quotation.
Passing and permanence
Scripture contrasts temporary things with what endures. 1 John 2:17 notes the world is passing away, yet doing God’s will leads to life. Matthew 24:35 adds that heaven and earth will pass away, but the word stands.
When troubles come
Paul in 2 Corinthians 4:16–18 calls affliction “light and momentary,” preparing an eternal weight of glory. John 16:33 offers peace in trial. 1 Corinthians 10:13 promises a way of escape in testing.
Mini survey of phrases
- Deuteronomy 28: covenant warnings and promises in narrative book form.
- Acts 2:17: prophetic outpouring of Spirit.
- Isaiah 65:24: swift answering of prayer.
- Ezekiel 12:25: certain fulfillment.
- Genesis 8: narrative cadence at the flood’s end.
“Fix your hope on what endures; words in Scripture shape how we view time and future glory.”
Finding Peace and Strength in Difficult Times: Living the Phrase in a Biblical Way
When days feel heavy, Scripture points toward steady peace that holds us through hard seasons. The message is practical: God meets pain with presence, and trials become places of growth.
Practical hope: seek Christ’s calming power by keeping simple daily rhythms. Morning prayer, short Scripture meditation, and a quick note of gratitude form a steady way to invite hope into routine life.
- Persevere in trials: fix your gaze on unseen things that last; let pain shape character and prepare greater joy.
- Receive and share comfort: accept God’s consolation, then offer it to others who face suffering.
- Take small steps: ask for a way forward, lean on community, and do one faithful act each day.
God’s power works through ordinary lives, strengthening weary hearts and steadying emotions. When we endure with Christ, trials become teachers that clarify loves and renew purpose to bless people around us.
“Biblical hope is sturdy for any time because it rests on the Lord who holds our days.”
Conclusion
strong, Keep in mind that seasons change, yet God’s promises anchor hope in every day. The exact phrase most people quote is not a direct line from the book, but the teaching behind it rings true across Scripture.
Carry one or two passages into your life today. Let those words guide choices when pain and trials face you. Small acts of faith bring light in dark moments and restore morning mercies to weary hearts.
Practical next step: memorize a short passage, share comfort with another person, and serve in a humble way. Walk by faith; things change, yet God remains at the end and in the very moment.
FAQ
Is the phrase “This Too Shall Pass” actually in the Bible?
Where did the saying originate if not in Scripture?
What does the expression communicate about life and time?
Which Bible verses reflect a similar idea?
How can I use this phrase in a healthy, faith-centered way?
Does the saying minimize pain or encourage passivity?
Can this line help during grief or hard seasons?
How have public figures used the phrase historically?
Are there modern books or resources that explore this theme?
How can I create a daily reminder without repeating the phrase too often?
Benedict Harper
