Does the Phrase Fly in the Ointment Come from the Bible?

Have you ever used the phrase “fly in the ointment”? I have heard it all my life, but I wasn’t sure if it came from the Bible or Shakespeare.I am always interested to know the origins because usually something gets lost in modern translation, which it has in this case.

When people use this phrase today, they mean something has a drawback. According to the Cambridge dictionary, a fly in the ointment means “a single thing or person that is spoiling a situation that could have been very positive or enjoyable.” For example, if we were talking about a picnic that rained, I might say that the only fly in the ointment is the weather.

However, the phrase that originated in Ecclesiastes has a much deeper meaning than just a drawback. Let’s take a closer look at the history and original meaning of the phrase and how it applies to us even today.

Which Bible Mentions a Fly in the Ointment?

Surprisingly, the phrase “a fly in the ointment” is not used in any Bible translation. The phrase most likely originated from Ecclesiastes 10:1 of the King James Version:

“Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savor: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honor.”

Other translations say “perfumer’s oil” or some variation.

The earliest use of the phrase comes from A Body of Practical Divinity by Puritan minister Thomas Watson:

“In these latter times, the Arminians and Socinians have cast a dead fly into this box of precious ointment” (p. 167).

Arminianism is a Christian belief that emphasizes free will over predestination, contrasting with Calvinism. Socinianism is a heretical view built on Arianism that describes God the Father in a way that downplays the Trinity.

Later in the text, Watson uses a similar comparison when he talks about serving God sincerely and how the scribes and Pharisees came up short in this regard:

“The Pharisees did the will of God in giving alms; but that which was a dead fly in the ointment, was, that they did not aim at God’s glory, but vain glory, — they blew a trumpet” (p. 488).

Another early reference comes from Charles Lamb in a May 1823 London Magazine article titled “Poor Relations.”

“A POOR Relation — is the most irrelevant thing in nature,…— a Mordecai in your gate, — a Lazarus at your door, — a lion in your path, — a frog in your chamber, — a fly in your ointment” (p. 9).

What Does the Verse Compare to a Fly in the Ointment?

While the phrase “a fly in the ointment” did not originate in the Bible, the early examples by Watson and Lamb demonstrate that the phrase is inspired and based on Ecclesiastes 10:1. The verse compares dead flies in an ointment with a little folly and your reputation. How are those two related? First, you need to understand the uses of ointment.

Ointments had several uses

- anointing leaders

- offerings to God

- burying the dead

- healing/soothing wounds

Some translations use the word perfume because the ointment had a pleasant smell and was used to prepare people or things for their intended purposes. Anointing priests and kings showed they were set apart for a particular job. Offerings to God and burying the dead had similar purposes: it created a sweet odor to cover the stink of the dead. They also had healing properties and soothed the senses in the process.

In contrast, flies are drawn to dead things, and if the flies die in the ointment, they cause the ointment’s sweet smell to stink like the dead. In other words, it loses its ability to do its job. The same is true when we allow a little folly to ruin our reputation. It doesn’t take much to ruin our testimony, especially with unbelievers.

How Does “Fly in the Ointment” Fit the Rest of the Chapter?

Matthew Henry gives an overview of Ecclesiastes 10, explaining how the chapter contains the following themes: preserving character, respecting subjects and rulers, foolish talk, and duties of rulers and subjects. So, the entire chapter is on the relationship between leaders and followers and the role of wisdom in maintaining a strong relationship. Solomon does this by showing the difference between the consequences of folly versus wisdom.

In his complete commentary on Ecclesiastes 10:1, Henry points out that it only takes a little mistake to ruin a good reputation, especially if you are in a leadership role because people are always looking for a reason to find fault. Behaviors they would overlook in others, they will severely censure in a leader. Therefore, if you have a leadership role, you must be conscious and intentional in avoiding folly of all kinds.

What Lessons Can We Learn from the Fly in the Ointment Verse?

1. Unbelievers are always looking at you to find a reason to follow Christ or a reason to stay away. Therefore, we should “Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one” (Colossians 4:5-6).

2. The enemy will use every opportunity to tempt us and lead us astray so that we will be useless for the kingdom. He tried to tempt Jesus in the wilderness, and even when he failed, he was still looking for “an opportune time” (Luke 4:13) to try again.

3. We must look out for the enemy’s tricks because the enemy is always looking for an opportunity to tempt us and cause us to stumble. You must “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8 KJV).

4. Since life on earth is full of temptations and snares, we have to be able to discern the best choices. We need the wisdom of God to make wise decisions: “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him” (James 1:5 KJV).

5. When you are a leader, people watch you closely. They will point out minor offenses they overlook in others and use the offenses to ruin your reputation and witness. “My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment” (James 3:1 NKJV).

6. Transparency is the best option. Whether we are leaders or not, we must do our best to make wise choices. When we fail, we must be honest and open, asking for forgiveness for our sins. “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:15-16 NKJV).

To sum it up, you don’t want to be the one who causes a stink, so be careful that you don’t do something stupid to ruin your reputation as a Christian. As Christ’s followers, we represent Christ in the world. We don’t want one stupid or thoughtless action to bring disgrace to our witness or Christ’s cause. We want to be the salt of the earth, but if the salt loses its savor, it will be thrown out (Matthew 5:13). It also follows that if the perfume loses its sweet smell, it becomes useless. There is a hurting world out there that needs Christ, so let’s do our best not to allow dead flies to ruin our witness.

Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Gewoldi

Linda Lyle is a writer, teacher, knitter, and unintentional collector of cats. She has written articles for the Alabama Baptist, Open Windows, Refresh, as well as multiple novels and novellas. Her newest book, 5-Minute Prayer Plan for When Life Is Overwhelming, is set to release in October. She spins yarns on her blog The End of My Yarn at lindalyle.com.