What does the Bible say about ?

A ‣ B ‣ C ‣ D ‣ E ‣ F ‣ G ‣ H ‣ I ‣ J ‣ K ‣ L ‣ M ‣ N ‣ O ‣ P ‣ Q ‣ R ‣ S ‣ T ‣ U ‣ V ‣ W ‣ Y ‣ Z

100 Bible Verses about Free Will

Proverbs 16:9 ESV / 1,892 helpful votes

The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.

Joshua 24:15 ESV / 827 helpful votes

And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

John 7:17 ESV / 820 helpful votes

If anyone's will is to do God's will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority.

John 1:12-13 ESV / 804 helpful votes

But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV / 767 helpful votes

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

Revelation 3:20 ESV / 764 helpful votes

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.

Deuteronomy 30:19-20 ESV / 694 helpful votes

I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.”

Genesis 2:16-17 ESV / 649 helpful votes

And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”

Romans 10:9-10 ESV / 615 helpful votes

Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.

Galatians 5:16-17 ESV / 570 helpful votes

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.

Mark 8:34 ESV / 533 helpful votes

And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

Psalm 37:23 ESV / 513 helpful votes

The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way;

John 6:44 ESV / 505 helpful votes

No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.

James 1:13-16 ESV / 499 helpful votes

Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers.

Proverbs 16:1 ESV / 489 helpful votes

The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.

1 Timothy 2:4 ESV / 479 helpful votes

Who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Galatians 5:13 ESV / 458 helpful votes

For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

2 Peter 3:9 ESV / 453 helpful votes

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

2 Timothy 2:26 ESV / 441 helpful votes

And they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.

Deuteronomy 30:19 ESV / 384 helpful votes

I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live,

Ezekiel 18:30-32 ESV / 375 helpful votes

“Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, declares the Lord God. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, lest iniquity be your ruin. Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed, and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why will you die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Lord God; so turn, and live.”

Romans 13:2 ESV / 367 helpful votes

Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.

Romans 6:23 ESV / 355 helpful votes

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

1 Corinthians 2:14 ESV / 340 helpful votes

The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.

Ephesians 1:11 ESV / 319 helpful votes

In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,

Galatians 5:1 ESV / 295 helpful votes

For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

Isaiah 55:6-7 ESV / 292 helpful votes

“Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

John 15:16 ESV / 288 helpful votes

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.

Romans 8:29-30 ESV / 286 helpful votes

For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

John 3:16 ESV / 286 helpful votes

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Acts 4:27-28 ESV / 282 helpful votes

For truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place.

Ephesians 1:5 ESV / 264 helpful votes

He predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,

Revelation 22:17 ESV / 259 helpful votes

The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.

John 8:24 ESV / 257 helpful votes

I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins.”

Proverbs 16:4 ESV / 242 helpful votes

The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble.

Ephesians 1:4 ESV / 241 helpful votes

Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love

Matthew 11:28 ESV / 236 helpful votes

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Revelation 1:1 ESV / 210 helpful votes

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,

Romans 9:17 ESV / 208 helpful votes

For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”

Ephesians 1:4-5 ESV / 207 helpful votes

Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,

Acts 13:48 ESV / 196 helpful votes

And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed.

Genesis 6:5 ESV / 186 helpful votes

The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

Luke 1:37 ESV / 181 helpful votes

For nothing will be impossible with God.”

Romans 9:16 ESV / 178 helpful votes

So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.

Romans 8:7-8 ESV / 177 helpful votes

For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

John 10:18 ESV / 177 helpful votes

No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”

Psalm 139:16 ESV / 175 helpful votes

Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.

John 8:36 ESV / 173 helpful votes

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

Romans 3:23 ESV / 171 helpful votes

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Ephesians 2:10 ESV / 168 helpful votes

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Proverbs 1:29 ESV / 167 helpful votes

Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord,

Hebrews 11:6 ESV / 164 helpful votes

And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

2 Thessalonians 2:13 ESV / 158 helpful votes

But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.

2 Timothy 1:9 ESV / 157 helpful votes

Who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,

John 3:16-17 ESV / 157 helpful votes

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Titus 1:1 ESV / 156 helpful votes

Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God's elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness,

John 1:12 ESV / 155 helpful votes

But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,

Luke 18:7 ESV / 154 helpful votes

And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them?

1 Peter 2:9 ESV / 153 helpful votes

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

Isaiah 65:12 ESV / 153 helpful votes

I will destine you to the sword, and all of you shall bow down to the slaughter, because, when I called, you did not answer; when I spoke, you did not listen, but you did what was evil in my eyes and chose what I did not delight in.”

Mark 13:20 ESV / 152 helpful votes

And if the Lord had not cut short the days, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, whom he chose, he shortened the days.

Titus 1:2 ESV / 150 helpful votes

In hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began

Romans 6:17 ESV / 147 helpful votes

But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed,

John 12:32 ESV / 147 helpful votes

And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”

Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV / 142 helpful votes

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

John 8:32 ESV / 142 helpful votes

And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Revelation 11:1-19 ESV / 138 helpful votes

Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff, and I was told, “Rise and measure the temple of God and the altar and those who worship there, but do not measure the court outside the temple; leave that out, for it is given over to the nations, and they will trample the holy city for forty-two months. And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.” These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. And if anyone would harm them, fire pours from their mouth and consumes their foes. If anyone would harm them, this is how he is doomed to be killed. ...

Colossians 3:12 ESV / 136 helpful votes

Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,

1 Corinthians 6:12 ESV / 123 helpful votes

“All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything.

Galatians 6:7 ESV / 122 helpful votes

Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.

2 Corinthians 3:17 ESV / 115 helpful votes

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

Romans 9:1-33 ESV / 115 helpful votes

I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit— that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh. They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen. ...

1 Peter 2:16 ESV / 114 helpful votes

Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.

2 Timothy 2:25-26 ESV / 111 helpful votes

Correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.

Matthew 24:31 ESV / 96 helpful votes

And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

1 Peter 1:2 ESV / 94 helpful votes

According to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.

Matthew 15:19 ESV / 84 helpful votes

For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander.

Exodus 4:21 ESV / 84 helpful votes

And the Lord said to Moses, “When you go back to Egypt, see that you do before Pharaoh all the miracles that I have put in your power. But I will harden his heart, so that he will not let the people go.

1 John 2:2 ESV / 83 helpful votes

He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.

Deuteronomy 11:26-28 ESV / 83 helpful votes

“See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse: the blessing, if you obey the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you today, and the curse, if you do not obey the commandments of the Lord your God, but turn aside from the way that I am commanding you today, to go after other gods that you have not known.

2 Corinthians 9:7 ESV / 82 helpful votes

Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

John 8:34 ESV / 82 helpful votes

Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin.

Proverbs 3:31 ESV / 82 helpful votes

Do not envy a man of violence and do not choose any of his ways,

Romans 9:11 ESV / 77 helpful votes

Though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God's purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls—

2 Corinthians 7:1 ESV / 72 helpful votes

Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.

Ephesians 1:1-23 ESV / 66 helpful votes

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, ...

Hebrews 10:10 ESV / 65 helpful votes

And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

James 4:7 ESV / 64 helpful votes

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Romans 8:29 ESV / 62 helpful votes

For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

Romans 5:8 ESV / 62 helpful votes

But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Matthew 23:37 ESV / 62 helpful votes

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!

John 5:40 ESV / 61 helpful votes

Yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.

1 John 3:2 ESV / 60 helpful votes

Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.

1 Corinthians 2:7 ESV / 59 helpful votes

But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory.

Jude 1:4 ESV / 53 helpful votes

For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.

1 John 3:23 ESV / 53 helpful votes

And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us.

Romans 3:11 ESV / 53 helpful votes

No one understands; no one seeks for God.

Acts 4:28 ESV / 53 helpful votes

To do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place.

Isaiah 45:7 ESV / 53 helpful votes

I form light and create darkness; I make well-being and create calamity; I am the Lord, who does all these things.

1 Peter 5:2 ESV / 52 helpful votes

Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly;

Suggest a Verse

Enter a Verse Reference (e.g., John 3:16-17)


Visit the Bible online to search for words if you don’t know the specific passage your’re looking for.