Where in the bible is the phrase?

Question

that says we should be "in the world but not of it?"

I thought I knew the bible, but somebody is telling me that this is from scripture verbatim. If I am wrong, I am ready to eat humble pie, but I don't think this phrase is found in the bible verbatim.

Am I wrong?

PS Before you start preaching to the choir, I believe this is a valid Christian truth ... I just don't think it is in the bible as that exact phrase.

Vot: I know John 17:16. Notice the phrase "verbatim" a couple of times in my question.

Denise: thanks so much for the nice cut and past from the GotQuestions site, but the question wasn't how can you be in the world but not of it, the question is where is it verbatim in Holy Scripture?

Whitehorse: thank you.

Answer 1

As you mention, the meaning and essence of that phrase is found throughout Scripture, but those words "verbatim" are not.

Answer 2

As for "verbatim" goes depends on which translation you are using.

I use a New American Standard NASB, I like it better than the King James, also I am hearing good reports on the ESV English Standard Version.

A Strong's Concordance will help you in being able to find key passages by word cross reference.

Any how, Romans 12:2 could be a good place to start. Also Galatians 6:14, Colosians 2:, 1Peter 5:, 1John 2:, and 1John 3:.

I hope this helps.

Answer 3

Question: "How can believers be in the world, but not of the world?"

Answer: When we read of the "world" in the New Testament, we are reading the Greek word "cosmos." Cosmos most often refers to the inhabited earth and the people who live on the earth, which functions apart from God. Satan is the ruler of this "cosmos" (John 12:31; 16:11; 1 John 5:19). So, by the simple definition that the word "world" refers to a world system ruled by Satan, we can more readily appreciate Christ's claims that believers are no longer of the world--we are no longer ruled by sin, nor are we bound by the principles of the world.

It's not a matter of should or should not be of the world. Believers in Jesus Christ are simply no longer of the world; in the world, but not of it (John 17:14-15). What believers *should* do is to be set apart from the world. This is the meaning of being holy and living a holy, righteous life--to be set apart. We are not to engage in the sinful activities the world promotes, nor are we to retain the insipid, corrupt mind that the world creates. Rather, we are to conform ourselves, and our minds, to that of Jesus Christ (Romans 12:1-2). This is a daily activity; a daily commitment. We can enjoy the things of the world, but we are not to immerse ourselves in the world. Pleasure is no longer our calling in life, but rather the worship of God.

Some passages that would be beneficial for you in further understanding the concept of no longer being "of the world" are: John 15:19; 17:15-24; 1 Corinthians 7:31; 2:12-16; Ephesians 2:2-10; Colossians 2:20-23; Galatians 4:3-7; and James 4:4.

Oh, and for the record, I do not believe in the bible.

Answer 4

You will not find it verbatim in the Bible. Not as those words.

What you can find (that hasn't been listed):

Romans 12:2
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

I use Logos Professional for my personal Bible study. It has virtually EVERY translation of the Bible, including Greek and Hebrew. It even has the Vulgate translated from Latin. All told, over 100 versions of the Scripture.

NO WHERE, any ANY of them are the words "In the world but not of it".

Hope that helps.

Answer 5

It just says

1 John 2:15
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

closest I can come to it not exactly like you have

Answer 6

1 John 2:15
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

James 4:4
Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

John 17:16
They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

John 15:19
If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

Answer 7

Dear Firiend : There are many Interpretations and misinterpretations of the word of God. Unfortunately Yes we do have to be in the world until we are called home to be with our Savoir. I have researched your question and cannot find anywhere that it says that. You must be careful which translation of the bible you read. I personally refer only to the King James version (1611) . The New Kiing James isn't Bad BUT!!! That is where I draw the line .I have researched it and You can too, In many of the modern translations things are blown way out of context (to put it lightly) just for the sake of being able to supposedly understand it better. Read something out of the KJV and then go to theNLT for example and it says something totally different. Anyway,God tells us not to be of this world or a friend of it for it is an abomination. ( James 4:4) says that He who loves the world is an enemy of God. The best thing for you to do is to Pray for wisdom with the assistance of Gods Holy Spirit everytime you get ready to read His Word

Hope this helps you God Bless.

Answer 8

I don't believe it is either. I think it comes from this passage:

1 Corinthians 5:9-10 (New King James Version)
New King James Version (NKJV)
Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.



Immorality Must Be Judged

9 I wrote to you in my epistle not to keep company with sexually immoral people. 10 Yet I certainly did not mean with the sexually immoral people of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world.

Answer 9

John 17:16 is correct

Answer 10

Think of when Jesus is in the temple and he tells the people and the Pharisees and sagacious that it is better to follow the spirit of the law and not the letter of the law. I have been a member of a Pentecostal church for 30 years and this is the only thing I could think of with out doing research