Week 2: The Bible and the Bondage of the Will
Luther’s teaching on the “bondage of the will” begins with Scripture’s witness to the human condition. These passages show a will created good yet bound by sin, unable to free itself, and wholly dependent on God’s initiative. They form the biblical foundation for Luther’s claim that salvation rests entirely on God’s action rather than human choice or effort, shaping our discussion for this week.
Genesis 2–3 — Creation, Command, and the Fall
These chapters describe humanity’s creation, the gift of freedom within limits, and the first act of disobedience. The narrative shows a will that was created good yet becomes curved inward through distrust of God’s word.
Lutheran connection: The Fall marks a fundamental shift in the human will—away from trusting God and toward self‑rule. This frames why the will cannot restore itself without divine intervention.
Genesis 50:19–21 — God’s Sovereignty and Human Intent
Joseph reassures his brothers that although they intended harm, God worked through their actions for good. The text holds human responsibility and divine sovereignty together.
Lutheran connection: Luther uses passages like this to show that God’s will is active even through human choices, revealing a divine freedom that surpasses human understanding.
Deuteronomy 30:11–20 — Choice, Covenant, and Obedience
Moses calls Israel to choose life by loving and obeying God. The passage emphasizes responsibility, relationship, and the consequences of turning away.
Lutheran connection: Luther acknowledges texts that speak of choosing, yet he interprets them through the lens of the heart’s inability to choose rightly apart from God’s renewing work.
Read Deuteronomy 30:11–20 (NRSV)
John 3:1–21 — New Birth and the Work of the Spirit
Jesus teaches Nicodemus that entering the kingdom requires being born “from above,” a work of the Spirit rather than human effort. The passage highlights God’s initiative in salvation.
Lutheran connection: Luther sees this as a decisive witness that faith itself is God’s doing. The will does not climb toward God; God descends to create new life.
Romans 6:1–14 — Freedom from Sin’s Dominion
Paul describes believers as those who have died with Christ and now walk in newness of life. Freedom is not self‑generated but the result of union with Christ.
Lutheran connection: Luther uses this text to show that the will is not neutral—it is either under sin’s dominion or under Christ’s.
Romans 7:7–25 — The Struggle of the Bound Will
Paul speaks of wanting to do good yet being unable to carry it out, revealing a deep conflict within the human person. The law exposes sin but cannot free the will from its power.
Lutheran connection: This is one of Luther’s central texts for describing the will’s captivity. The “I” who wants to obey but cannot becomes a vivid picture of humanity apart from grace.
Romans 8:26–30 — God’s Initiative in Salvation
Paul describes the Spirit interceding for believers and God working all things for good according to divine purpose. The passage emphasizes God’s foreknowledge, calling, and sustaining work.
Lutheran connection: Luther sees this as a sweeping affirmation that salvation is grounded in God’s action from beginning to end.
Romans 9:14–18 — God’s Mercy and Freedom
Paul insists that God shows mercy according to God’s own will. The example of Pharaoh illustrates divine freedom.
Lutheran connection: Luther reads this as emphasizing God’s freedom, yet always within the wider biblical witness that God’s freedom is exercised in mercy.
Ephesians 1:3–14 — Chosen in Christ
Paul praises God for choosing, adopting, and redeeming believers through Christ before the foundation of the world. Salvation is portrayed as God’s gracious plan unfolding in time.
Lutheran connection: Luther reads this as a powerful witness to God’s initiative and the security of God’s promises.
Ephesians 2:1–10 — From Death to Life by Grace
Paul describes humanity as “dead in sin” and made alive by God’s mercy. Salvation is a gift, not the result of works.
Lutheran connection: This is one of Luther’s clearest biblical anchors: a dead will cannot revive itself. Grace is resurrection.
Philippians 2:12–13 — God Working in Us
Paul urges believers to “work out” their salvation while affirming that God is the one who works in them to will and to act. Human effort and divine action are held together.
Lutheran connection: Luther sees this as a summary of the Christian life: we act because God is already at work in us.
