Fortuna and the Wheel of Fortune: Luck, Chance, and Providence in Scripture
The Roman goddess Fortuna embodied the unpredictable turns of life—luck, chance, and prosperity. Though her name appears only once in Scripture in the form of the Christian name Fortunatus (1 Cor 16:17), the broader idea of fortune and fate had wide cultural influence. The Bible, however, consistently contrasts the fickle rule of fortune with the sovereign providence of the living God, who governs the lot of His people with wisdom and purpose (Prov 16:33; Isa 46:9–10).
1. Fortuna in Roman religion
Fortuna was the Roman personification of good luck and success, derived from words meaning “chance” or “to bring.” Her oldest cult site was at Praeneste, where she was known as Fortuna Primigenia, “Firstborn Fortune.” Later she was worshiped in Rome itself, with temples built by King Servius Tullius, including shrines of Fors Fortuna on the Tiber’s banks and Fortuna in the Forum Boarium.
Roman religion often multiplied divine titles. Fortuna could be called Fortuna Populi Romani (Fortune of the Roman People), Fortuna Augusta (Fortune of the Emperor), or Fortuna Virilis (Fortune of men). Epithets multiplied her aspects—Aeterna, Bona, Domestica, Magna—each attaching fortune to a different sphere of life. In art, she was depicted with a rudder, cornucopia, and globe, and sometimes the wheel of fortune, emphasizing her transience and instability.
2. Fortuna’s ambiguity and connection to Tyche
Although usually benevolent in cult, Fortuna could also be feared. Some titles even made her malevolent, such as Mala Fortuna. Roman writers, influenced by the Greek Tyche, often highlighted her fickleness and blindness. Tyche/Fortuna represented the idea that life is capricious and subject to sudden reversal (Eccl 9:11). Her wheel turns without regard for justice, distributing success and disaster indiscriminately.
Philosophers wrestled with this concept. Stoics argued that the wise are immune to fortune, emphasizing virtue over circumstance. Epicureans and Neo-Platonists also denied fortune ultimate sway. For Christians, however, fortune was demythologized: not blind chance, but God’s providence guides human life (Matt 10:29–31; Acts 17:26).
3. Fortuna and biblical contrasts
In contrast to Fortuna, the Bible affirms that the Lord alone controls outcomes. The prophets rebuked Israel for turning to idols that promised luck (Jer 7:18; Isa 65:11, where some translations render Gad and Meni as “Fortune” and “Destiny”). Isaiah condemned setting tables for Fortune, showing that the temptation to worship chance itself was real.
Instead, Scripture calls God’s people to trust in His steadfast purposes: “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted” (Job 42:2). Unlike Fortuna’s wheel, the Lord’s covenant faithfulness is steady, rooted in His eternal character (Lam 3:22–23).
4. Fortunatus in the New Testament
The only direct biblical appearance of the name occurs in 1 Corinthians 16:17: “I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because they have made up for your absence.” Fortunatus was part of a Corinthian delegation visiting Paul in Ephesus. The name itself, common in the Roman world, simply meant “lucky” or “fortunate.”
That such a name could belong to a Christian leader shows how converts bore cultural names without adopting pagan theology. Just as names like Apollos (after Apollo) or Phoebe (after the goddess) appear in the church, Fortunatus carried a Roman name yet served Christ. His “fortune” was not the goddess’s blessing but the grace of God in the Gospel.
5. Early Christian rejection of Fortuna
The Church Fathers rejected Fortuna as a false explanation of events. Tertullian argued that fate, necessity, and fortune were pagan errors, while Christians understood history as the conflict between God and the devil, resolved in Christ’s triumph (Col 2:15). Augustine mocked Fortuna as blind and capricious, contrasting her with the providence of God who wisely orders all things (Rom 8:28).
For Christians, “fortune” becomes nothing more than a figure of speech. The true source of blessing is God the Father (James 1:17). The language of luck and chance has no real power, since “the steps of a man are established by the Lord” (Ps 37:23).
6. Gospel and the undoing of fortune
Where Fortuna’s wheel suggested arbitrary rise and fall, the Gospel announces a kingdom that cannot be shaken (Heb 12:28). Christ is the true Firstborn (Col 1:15), not Fortuna Primigenia. Through His death and resurrection, He secures an inheritance that does not depend on fortune but on promise (1 Pet 1:3–4).
The Gospel thus redefines fortune: believers are “blessed” (Matt 5:3–11), not lucky. What the world calls chance is, for the people of God, providence working through all things for good (Rom 8:28). In the end times, the instability of Fortuna’s wheel gives way to the unshakable reign of Christ, in whom destiny is secure (Rev 21:1–5).
7. Practical implications: fortune, providence, and Christian life
Speech: Christians may use “good fortune” in casual language but should remember that blessing comes from God (Prov 10:22).
Security: Trust not in chance, wealth, or politics (Ps 20:7; Eccl 5:10), but in God’s provision.
Perspective: Suffering is not bad luck but trial under God’s hand for refinement (1 Pet 1:6–7).
Witness: Living by providence rather than fortune distinguishes the church from the world (Phil 2:14–15).
Hope: When the wheel of life turns downward, believers anchor in Christ’s unchanging promise (Heb 6:19).
Conclusion
Fortuna embodied the ancient longing to control or explain chance. Her temples and titles proclaimed the human desire for luck, yet her wheel revealed her fickleness. The Bible sets this image against the unchanging providence of God, who directs history with wisdom. Fortunatus of Corinth bore a name of luck, but his life displayed the grace of God.
For Christians, fortune gives way to providence, luck to blessing, chance to promise. The Gospel of Christ removes the blindfold from fortune and reveals a Father whose purposes never fail. In Him, the believer’s future is not left to the wheel but held secure in the covenant love of God.
Bible verses related to the topic
“I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus.” (1 Corinthians 16:17)
“You prepare a table for Fortune, and fill cups of mixed wine for Destiny.” (Isaiah 65:11)
“The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.” (Proverbs 16:33)
“The steps of a man are established by the Lord.” (Psalm 37:23)
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end.” (Lamentations 3:22–23)
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights.” (James 1:17)
“All things work together for good for those who love God.” (Romans 8:28)
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy he has caused us to be born again to a living hope.” (1 Peter 1:3)
“Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken.” (Hebrews 12:28)
“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more.” (Revelation 21:4)
