Romans 11:6 kjv
And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
Romans 11:6 nkjv
And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.
Romans 11:6 niv
And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.
Romans 11:6 esv
But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.
Romans 11:6 nlt
And since it is through God's kindness, then it is not by their good works. For in that case, God's grace would not be what it really is ? free and undeserved.
Romans 11 6 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Romans 11:6 | If it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace. | Entire verse |
| Ephesians 2:8-9 | For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. | Salvation by grace, not works |
| Galatians 5:4 | You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. | Dependence on law forfeits grace |
| Titus 3:5 | he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit. | Salvation by mercy, not works |
| John 1:16 | For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. | Abundant grace |
| Romans 3:24 | and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. | Justification as a free gift |
| Romans 6:14 | For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace. | Reign of grace |
| Romans 4:16 | That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and so be guaranteed to all her offspring—not only to the one who belongs to the law but also to the one who belongs to the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all. | Promise through faith and grace |
| Acts 15:11 | But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they are. | Grace as the means of salvation |
| 2 Timothy 1:9 | who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began. | Grace given before time |
| Hebrews 12:15 | See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God, that no troublesome root may spring up and cause trouble, and by it many become defiled. | Danger of falling from grace |
| Galatians 2:20 | I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. | Living by faith in Christ |
| Philippians 3:9 | and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith. | Righteousness from God through faith |
| Colossians 1:6 | this gospel is bearing fruit and increasing—as indeed it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth. | Understanding God's grace in truth |
| 2 Corinthians 12:9 | But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. | God's grace is sufficient |
| Isaiah 55:1 | Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Buy wine and milk without money and without price. | Salvation without cost |
| Revelation 22:17 | The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price. | Water of life freely offered |
| Romans 9:11-13 | though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God's purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls— she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” Just as it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.” | Election based on God's calling |
| Genesis 25:23 | The LORD said to her, “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you shall be divided; the older shall serve the younger. | Divine choice over human merit |
| 1 Samuel 15:22 | And Samuel said, “Has the LORD as great a delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams. | Obedience contrasted with sacrifice |
Romans 11 verses
Romans 11 6 Meaning
If it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise, grace would no longer be grace.
Romans 11 6 Context
Romans 11 explores God's ongoing relationship with Israel and the inclusion of Gentiles into salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. Paul addresses the apparent rejection of Israel and counters the idea that salvation is earned by works. This chapter builds upon the argument in Romans 3-8, which establishes that salvation is a gift of grace received through faith in Christ, apart from the works of the Law. Verse 6 specifically clarifies the absolute distinction between salvation by grace and salvation by works, highlighting that if either is the basis, the other cannot be. The preceding verses (9:30-33) show how Israel sought righteousness through law but stumbled over Christ. Then, verses 11:1-6 explain that God's plan did not fail with Israel's rejection; instead, it opened the door for the Gentiles. This leads into the "olive tree" analogy of Gentile inclusion and eventual restoration for Israel, emphasizing God's sovereign plan and unmerring grace.
Romans 11 6 Word Analysis
Εἰ (ei): "If" (conditional particle).
δὲ (de): "but" or "and" (disjunctive particle, here contrasting with prior considerations or emphasizing a point).
ἔργων (ergōn): "works" (genitive plural of ἔργον - ergon, meaning deed, act, labor, accomplishment). This refers to actions performed, often with the implication of human effort or merit.
ἐξ (ex): "from" or "out of" (preposition, indicating source or origin).
αὐτῶν (autōn): "them" or "their" (genitive plural pronoun, referring back to "grace").
μὴ (mē): "not" (negative particle).
γένοιτο (genoitō): "it should be" or "it has been" (third person singular aorist subjunctive of γίνομαι - ginomai, to become, to happen, to be). Here it implies a consequence or possibility.
λοιπὸν (loipon): "henceforth," "therefore," or "remaining" (adverb or adjective, in this context, "otherwise" or "if otherwise").
ἔργων (ergōn): "works" (reiterated).
ἐστὶν (estin): "it is" (third person singular present indicative of εἰμί - eimi, to be).
χάρις (charis): "grace" (nominative singular of χάρις - charis, meaning grace, favor, divine assistance). This is a central concept in Paul's theology, referring to God's unmerited favor and divine enablement.
χάρις (charis): "grace" (reiterated).
Analysis of "If by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works": This clause establishes an exclusive dichotomy. Grace and works are mutually exclusive categories for justification. If the ground for acceptance with God is grace (unearned favor), then it cannot simultaneously be based on human merit (works). The source of salvation determines its nature.
Analysis of "otherwise grace would no longer be grace": This phrase is a logical consequence. The very definition of "grace" implies it is unmerited. If works could contribute to or qualify for grace, then grace would become a reward for those works, losing its essential character of being a free, undeserved gift from God. This would negate the meaning of the term itself.
Romans 11 6 Bonus Section
The concept of "grace upon grace" (John 1:16) implies that God's grace is not a single, finite gift, but a continuous, abundant outpouring. However, this does not negate the truth in Romans 11:6 that it cannot be mixed with works. The argument here is about the basis of our justification and salvation. Once saved by grace, believers continue to live in God's grace and power for sanctification and service, but these are not the foundation upon which their salvation rests. The "works" that follow faith are the fruit of salvation, not its root or a contribution to its procurement. This understanding protects against legalism on one hand and antinomianism on the other; faith is not in vain, but neither does it earn God's favor.
Romans 11 6 Commentary
This verse starkly contrasts the concepts of salvation by grace and salvation by works. It asserts that these two bases for receiving God's favor are mutually exclusive. If salvation originates from God's unmerited favor, then human works cannot be the determining factor or contributing element. To suggest that works are involved in salvation after it is established as grace would fundamentally redefine "grace," turning it into a transaction or a reward earned, thereby nullifying its essence as a free gift. This principle underscores the core of the Gospel: salvation is a sovereign act of God's kindness, received by faith, not a result of human achievement.
- Grace means receiving what you don't deserve. Works mean earning what you do deserve. Both cannot be the primary basis for our standing with God.
- Boasting is eliminated when salvation is solely by grace, as demonstrated in Ephesians 2:8-9.