The Write Conversation: Common Sayings from the Bible Many Writers Use

by Crystal Bowman

Whether we are aware of it or not, many of our common sayings and idioms have their origins in Scripture. I’ve gathered a list, but there are many more.

Forbidden fruit – Something desired, but not permitted.

Genesis 2:16–7 (NIV) And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.”

Earn something by the sweat of your brow – To work hard for something.

Genesis 3:19 (NIV) “By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.”

Apple of my eye – Someone who is deeply cherished.

Deuteronomy 32:10 (NIV) “In a desert land he found him, in a barren and howling waste. He shielded him and cared for him; he guarded him as the apple of his eye.”

Nothing but skin and bones – Thin and unhealthy looking.

Job 19:20 (NIV) “I am nothing but skin and bones; I have escaped only by the skin of my teeth” (which is also a saying!).

Pride goes before a fall – Having too much pride or confidence can lead to foolish mistakes.

Proverbs 16:18 (NIV) Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.

There’s nothing new under the sun – The monotony of life; everything has been seen, experienced, and done before.

Ecclesiastes 1:9 (NIV) “What has been again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.”

A fly in the ointment – A blemish or small imperfection that affects the quality of the whole.

Ecclesiastes 10:1 (NLT) “As dead flies cause even a bottle of perfume to stink, so a little foolishness spoils great wisdom and honor.”

A little birdie told me – A lighthearted phrase to withhold the source of information.

Ecclesiastes 10:20 (NIV) “A bird in the sky may carry your words, and a bird on the wing may report what you say.”

A drop in the bucket – Adding something that is insignificant to the whole.

Isaiah 40:15 (NLT) “No, for all the nations of the world are but a drop in the bucket. They are nothing more than dust on the scales.”

Rise and shine – A positive call to wake up and start the day.

Isaiah 60:1 (NIV) ““Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.”

Writing is on the wall – Something bad is about to happen.

Daniel 5:5 (NLT) “Suddenly, they saw the fingers of a human hand writing on the plaster wall of the king’s palace, near the lampstand. The king himself saw the hand as it wrote.

Go the extra mile – To go above and beyond what is needed or expected.

Matthew 5:41 (NIV) “If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.”

Out of the mouth of babes – Praise and wisdom from young children

Matthew 21:16 (NKJV) And Jesus said to them, “Yes. Have you never read, ‘Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have perfected praise’?” (Jesus is quoting from Psalm 8:2)

Reap what you sow – A warning that our actions carry consequences.

Galatians 6:7 (NIV) “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.”

Did you know these sayings come from the Bible? If the answer is yes—you know the Bible well! What other sayings can you add to the list?

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Common Sayings from the Bible Many Writers Use from author Crystal Bowman on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Crystal Bowman is an award-winning, bestselling author of more than 100 books for children and families. She also writes lyrics for children’s piano music and is a monthly contributor to Clubhouse Jr. Magazine, Arise Daily, and Christian Children's Authors. She enjoys coaching children's writers as well as teaching at writers conferences. When she is not writing or speaking, she likes going for walks and spending time with her huggable grandkids. She and her husband live in Michigan and Florida and try to avoid snowstorms.