Complete Bible Study Guide
What Does the Bible Say About Free Will?
9 Scripture references with full text and commentary
Understanding Free Will in the Bible
Explore what the Bible says about free will. This collection of 10 key Scripture passages reveals God's wisdom and guidance on this important theme.
Top 9 Verses About Free Will
- 1Genesis 2:16
“And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: thou: Heb. eating thou shalt eat”
KJV - 2Deuteronomy 30:19
“I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:”
KJV - 3Joshua 24:15
“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”
KJV - 4
- 5John 1:12
“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: power: or, the right, or, privilege”
KJV - 6John 7:17
“If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.”
KJV - 7Romans 10:9
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”
KJV - 8Galatians 5:16
“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. ye: or, fulfil not”
KJV - 9Revelation 3:20
“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”
KJV
Subtopics of Free Will
Old Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Free Will? (4 Verses)
“And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: thou: Heb. eating thou shalt eat”
“I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:”
“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”
“A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.”
New Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Free Will? (5 Verses)
“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: power: or, the right, or, privilege”
“If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.”
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”
“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. ye: or, fulfil not”
“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”
How to Study What the Bible Says About Free Will
- 1
Begin by reading through every verse listed on this page, noting which ones speak most directly to your current season of life. Write them down and revisit them throughout the week.
- 2
Use a concordance or the search tools on this site to find additional passages about free will. Look for patterns across both the Old and New Testaments to gain a complete picture of what God reveals on this subject.
- 3
Study the context of each verse. Read the surrounding chapter to understand who was speaking, who the audience was, and what circumstances prompted the passage. Context prevents misapplication.
- 4
Memorise at least one key verse about free will and meditate on it daily. Scripture memory transforms thinking and equips you to apply God's Word in real-time situations.
Practical Application
Studying what the Bible says about free will is only the beginning. Scripture is meant to be lived out in daily obedience and faith. Here are practical steps to apply these truths:
Identify one area of your life where the biblical teaching on free will needs to be applied more consistently. Write a specific, actionable step you can take this week.
Share what you have learned about free will with a fellow believer or in a small group setting. Teaching others solidifies your own understanding and encourages mutual growth.
Pray through the key verses about free will, asking God to reveal how His Word applies to your relationships, decisions, and daily habits.
How Well Do You Know What the Bible Says About Free Will?
You have studied 9 verses about free will. Now test your knowledge with chapter-by-chapter quizzes covering the books where these verses appear.