What does the Bible say about man's free will in salvation?
Answered in 1 source
The Bible teaches that man's will is not free in the sense of independent choice; rather, it is in bondage to sin and requires God's sovereign grace to respond to the gospel.
The doctrine of man's free will is often misunderstood. The Bible indicates that man's will is in bondage to his sin nature, meaning that apart from God giving life and enabling belief, a person cannot choose Christ. Proverbs 16:1 illustrates that while man prepares his heart, it is the Lord who determines the outcome. This underscores that true freedom involves the freedom to choose in alignment with God's will, which is granted by divine intervention. Romans 3:11 states that none seek God by themselves, highlighting the deadness of sin that necessitates God's quickening (Ephesians 2:1) to enable a true response to Him.
Commentary