When our Lord says, No man can come to Me, we must carefully remember that it is moral inability and not physical inability that He speaks of. - J. C. Ryle on John 6:44

J. C. Ryle on John 6:44:

"Of what does this inability of man consist? In what part of our inward nature does this impotence reside? Here is a point on which many mistakes arise. Forever let us remember that the will of man is the part of him which is in fault. His inability is not physical, but moral. It would not be true to say that a man has a real wish and desire to come to Christ, but has no power to come. It would be far more true to say that a man has no power to come because he has no desire or wish. It is not true that he would come if he could. It is true that he could come if he would. The corrupt will--the secret disinclination--the want of heart--are the real causes of unbelief. It is here the mischief lies. The power that we want is a new will. It is precisely at this point that we need the drawing of the Father." [13]

"When our Lord says, No man can come to Me, we must carefully remember that it is moral inability and not physical inability that He speaks of. We are not to suppose that any man can have a sincere and hearty wish to come to Christ, and yet be prevented by some mysterious impotence. The impotence lies in man's will. He cannot come because he will not come." [14]

[13] Ryle, Expository Thoughts on the Gospels (1856-73; reprinted Grand Rapids, 1900), Vol. III, pp. 383f.
[14] Ryle, op. cit., p. 389.