Why did God grant people free will?

St. Cyril of Jerusalem says, “The soul is self-governed: and though the devil can suggest, he has not the power to compel against the will. He pictures to you the thought of fornication: if you will, you accept it; if you do not will, you reject. For if you were a fornicator by necessity, then for what cause did God prepare hell? If you were a doer of righteousness by nature and not by will, why did God prepare crowns of ineffable glory? The sheep is gentle, but never was it crowned for its gentleness: since its gentle quality belongs to it not from choice but by nature.”⁴⁶⁷

464 Tertullian, Against Marcion 2.6: It was proper that he who is the image and likeness of God should be formed with a free will, and a mastery of himself, so that this very thing, namely freedom of will and self-command, might be reckoned as the image and likeness of God in him.

465 Compare Augustine, City of God 5.1, where he says that the astrologers ( Mathematici ) say, not merely such or such a position of Mars signifies that a man will be a murderer, but makes him a murderer.

466 St. Cyril of Jerusalem, Catechetical Lectures 4.18 (NPNF II/7:23) amended.

467 St. Cyril of Jerusalem, Catechetical Lectures 4.21 (NPNF II/7:24) amended.