Bible Verses About Freedom

True freedom is found in Christ, not apart from him. These verses about freedom proclaim liberty from sin and fear.

“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” — John 8:32 (KJV)

Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free — said to people who immediately denied ever having been in bondage. Freedom is tied to knowing rather than to circumstances.

“Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” — 2 Corinthians 3:17 (KJV)

Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty — written in a passage contrasting a veiled face with an unveiled one. Liberty here is freedom to look directly.

“For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.” — Galatians 5:13 (KJV)

Ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh. The limit is stated in the same sentence as the grant.

“Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.” — Romans 6:18 (KJV)

Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. Paul apologises for the metaphor in the next verse, which shows he knew how it sounded.

“But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.” — James 1:25 (KJV)

The perfect law of liberty — law and liberty joined rather than opposed. The blessing is promised to the doer rather than the hearer.

“As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.” — 1 Peter 2:16 (KJV)

As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. A cloak is something used to cover, which names the abuse precisely.

“And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.” — Psalm 119:45 (KJV)

I will walk at liberty, for I seek thy precepts — the psalm treats commandments as the ground of freedom of movement. It is the opposite of the expected relationship.

“Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:” — Colossians 1:13 (KJV)

Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness and translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son. Translated is a word for relocating a population.

“Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.” — Galatians 4:7 (KJV)

Thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir. The change described is of legal status rather than of feeling.

“Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?” — Isaiah 58:6 (KJV)

To loose the bands of wickedness, to let the oppressed go free — God's description of the fast he has chosen. Freedom here is something the reader gives, not gets.

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,” — Luke 4:18 (KJV)

To preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised. Jesus read it aloud in his home synagogue and said it was fulfilled.

“But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.” — 1 Corinthians 8:9 (KJV)

Take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak. Freedom is bounded by its effect on someone else.

“Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.” — Romans 8:21 (KJV)

The creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. The scope widens past people to everything made.

“I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place.” — Psalm 118:5 (KJV)

I called upon the LORD in distress: he answered me, and set me in a large place. A large place is the opposite of the narrow one distress puts you in.

“And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof: it shall be a jubile unto you; and ye shall return every man unto his possession, and ye shall return every man unto his family.” — Leviticus 25:10 (KJV)

Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof — the jubilee law cancelling debts and returning land. The line is cast on the Liberty Bell.

“But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.” — Romans 6:22 (KJV)

Now being made free from sin and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness. Freedom is described as producing something rather than as an end state.

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Frequently asked questions

What does the Bible say about freedom?

The 16 passages gathered on this page are the ones readers turn to most on freedom: John 8:32, 2 Corinthians 3:17, Galatians 5:13, Romans 6:18, James 1:25, 1 Peter 2:16, Psalm 119:45, Colossians 1:13, Galatians 4:7, Isaiah 58:6, Luke 4:18, 1 Corinthians 8:9, Romans 8:21, Psalm 118:5…

What is a good Bible verse about freedom?

John 8:32 is the passage most often quoted on freedom, with 2 Corinthians 3:17 and Galatians 5:13 close behind. Which one helps depends on whether you need reassurance, instruction or simply company.

Where can I read these freedom verses?

You can read all of these verses about freedom — and the whole Bible, offline, in your preferred translation — free in the Quiethaven app for iPhone.