This Too Shall Pass Bible Verse: What Scripture Actually Says

This too shall pass Bible verse answer in plain terms

“Is ‘this too shall pass’ a Bible verse?” No, the exact phrase does not appear in the Bible, and it should not be quoted as inspired Scripture.

The concept can still point toward biblical truths. 2 Corinthians 4:17–18 contrasts “light momentary affliction” with eternal glory. Ecclesiastes 3:1 says there is “a season” and “a time” for every matter under heaven. James 4:14 reminds us that human life is “a mist” that appears briefly.

That distinction matters. A phrase can be comforting without being a verse. If you paste it into a prayer journal or send it in a text, name it as a proverb, then pair it with an actual passage. Small wording choices protect trust.

Cold mug. Open Bible.

Five facts about “this too shall pass” and the Bible

• No standard Bible translation contains the exact phrase “this too shall pass,” even though many Christians repeat it like a verse.
• The saying is usually connected to Persian wisdom traditions and Jewish folklore, especially stories about a ring with a humbling inscription.
• The King Solomon connection comes from later stories, not from Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, or any other canonical Bible book.
• Older Bible translations often use “it came to pass” or “it shall come to pass,” but those phrases mean an event happened or will happen, not the modern proverb.
• The biblical message is hope through Christ, not generic optimism that every painful circumstance will quickly improve.

A confusing genealogy in small print can teach the same lesson: slow down before quoting. Check the book, chapter, and verse before building comfort on a sentence.

Closest Bible verses to “this too shall pass”

The closest Bible verses to “this too shall pass” are passages about temporary suffering, appointed seasons, perseverance, future glory, and joy after sorrow. These are safer to quote than the proverb itself.

For public teaching, quote the actual verse text from your chosen translation and include the reference. For private encouragement, it is enough to say, 'This is a proverb that reminds me of 2 Corinthians 4:17–18,' rather than calling the proverb a Bible verse.

2 Corinthians 4:17–18 and temporary affliction

2 Corinthians 4:17–18 says present affliction is temporary when compared with eternal glory. For Christians facing suffering, 2 Corinthians 4:17–18 is often the clearest Bible anchor because it names both pain and eternity.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 and changing seasons

Ecclesiastes 3:1 teaches that life includes appointed seasons under God’s rule. It does not say every season feels good.

James 1:2–4 connects trials with steadfastness and maturity. Romans 8:18 compares present sufferings with coming glory. Psalm 30:5 says weeping may remain for the night, but joy comes with the morning.

For grief-specific study, our what does Bible say about grief guide gathers related passages.

Before You Quote “This Too Shall Pass”

Before you quote “this too shall pass,” be clear about what you are offering. It can be encouragement, but it is not an inspired Bible sentence.

A short phrase may help in a journal, sermon illustration, or text message. It can also land hard when someone is grieving, traumatized, chronically ill, or still waiting for relief.

1. Check whether you are using Scripture, a proverb, or your own paraphrase of biblical hope.
2. Notice the person’s actual situation before reaching for quick comfort. A hospital bed, a fresh loss, or years of pain may need lament before advice.
3. Choose one real Bible passage, such as 2 Corinthians 4:17–18 or Psalm 30:5, and read the surrounding verses before applying it.
4. Avoid using the phrase as a way to shrink grief, rush healing, or imply that faithful people should already feel better.
5. Say plainly, “This is a proverb that encourages me,” if you use the phrase, then let Scripture carry the authority.

How the “this too shall pass” meaning works in Scripture

Biblically, “this too shall pass” works only when it is corrected by Scripture’s larger story: God is present in suffering, forms endurance through trials, and promises eternal restoration in Christ.

Scripture does not merely say pain disappears with time. Its mechanism is providence, formation, and resurrection hope. In plain language, God is not absent while time moves forward. He sustains, refines, comforts, and ultimately renews.

2 Corinthians 4 contrasts temporary trials with eternal glory. Romans 8 places suffering inside creation’s groaning and future redemption. Some hardship may not fully pass until resurrection and new creation.

That is why shallow reassurance can miss the point. Biblical hope does not deny the hospital room, the divorce papers, or the empty chair. It says those things are not the final word. For broader topic study, start with what does the Bible say.

How to use “this too shall pass” with Bible passages

Use “this too shall pass” as a prompt for Bible study, not as a replacement for Bible study. The most faithful method is to move from the saying to a real passage, then pray with context.

If the phrase lands badly with someone who is grieving, do not defend the slogan. Put it down, read the passage slowly, and let lament have room before you offer application.

1. Name the pain, season, fear, or temptation you are actually facing.
2. Choose a real passage, such as 2 Corinthians 4:17–18, Ecclesiastes 3:1, James 1:2–4, Romans 8:18, or Psalm 30:5.
3. Read the surrounding chapter before applying one sentence to your life.
4. Reflect on what the passage says about God, suffering, endurance, and hope.
5. Pray honestly, then ask a trusted believer, pastor, counselor, or small group for support when the burden is heavy.
6. Use tools like AI Bible Chat for guided Scripture Q&A, while still comparing the passage before applying it.

A small group leader might paste discussion questions into a Wednesday night text thread. The better questions point people back to the text, not just the slogan.

Common myths about the this too shall pass Bible quote

Many misunderstandings come from treating a familiar proverb like a chapter-and-verse quotation. The table below separates the common claim from the more accurate answer.

The Greek word note in parentheses may feel like extra work. Still, context saves us from turning a wise saying into a false promise.

Why Christians search for this too shall pass Bible comfort

People often search this phrase during grief, stress, uncertainty, illness, conflict, or discouragement. A midnight prayer under a quilt does not usually start with perfect theology. It starts with, “Lord, help.”

Pew Research Center reported in 2022 that about 63% of U.S. adults identified as Christian (https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2022/09/13/modeling-the-future-of-religion-in-america/). Pew’s 2014 Religious Landscape Study found that 55% of U.S. adults said they prayed daily (https://www.pewresearch.org/religious-landscape-study/database/frequency-of-prayer/). The American Psychological Association reported in 2019 that stress commonly affected adults’ sleep, energy, and emotions (https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/stress/2019/stress-america-2019.pdf). A 2022 meta-analysis in Religions found religious and spiritual involvement was modestly associated with better mental health, but Scripture should not be treated as a substitute for needed care (https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/13/3/243).

AIBibleChat can offer scripture-grounded prompts for daily verses, Scripture Q&A, prayer support, and Christian devotion, but it is not crisis care, medical advice, or a replacement for church community. Tools like AIBibleChat can help users move from a vague comfort phrase to actual Bible passages.