Romans 11 6

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 verses

Romans 11 6 Meaning

Romans 11:6 emphatically states the absolute incompatibility between grace and works as a basis for salvation or election. If God's choice and favor are by grace, human effort or merit cannot be a contributing factor, because such contribution would fundamentally alter the nature of grace from unmerited favor to something earned. Conversely, if human works are the foundation, then it cannot be by grace, as grace implies unearned reception. The verse highlights that these two principles are mutually exclusive, a logical and theological impossibility to combine them as the source of God's blessing.

Romans 11 6 Context

Romans chapter 11 continues Paul's extended theological argument (chapters 9-11) regarding God's plan for Israel, building upon the themes of divine sovereignty, righteousness, and salvation through faith rather than works of the Law. In Romans 9, Paul addresses Israel's general rejection of Christ and God's sovereign choice. In Romans 10, he emphasizes Israel's responsibility for rejecting the message due to their pursuit of a righteousness based on Law. Chapter 11 opens with Paul emphatically asking, "Has God rejected His people?" (Rom 11:1). His answer is a definitive "By no means!" (Rom 11:1). He then uses himself, a Jewish descendant of Abraham, as proof that God has not cast off His people entirely. He refers to the analogy of Elijah's time (1 Kgs 19), where God preserved 7,000 who had not bowed to Baal, demonstrating that in every era, God preserves a "remnant" (Rom 11:4-5). Romans 11:6 directly explains the nature of this remnant: they exist by grace, not by human merit or effort, making an explicit theological point about the source of God's salvific act in choosing individuals, whether Jew or Gentile.

Romans 11 6 Word analysis

• But if: (εἰ δέ, ei de) – Introduces a logical condition, contrasting with the prior point (the existence of a remnant by God's choice). It sets up an argument of logical entailment.
• it is by grace: (χάριτι, chariti) – "Grace" is charis (χάρις), here in the dative case, signifying the means or basis. It refers to God's undeserved, unmerited favor and active divine goodwill, completely independent of any human deserving or performance. It signifies a gift, freely given, initiated entirely by God.
• it is no longer: (οὐκέτι, ouketi) – A strong negative, meaning "no more," "no longer possible." It emphasizes absolute cessation or mutual exclusion.
• by works: (ἔργων, ergōn) – "Works" (ἔργα, erga) in the genitive plural, referring to human deeds, accomplishments, or efforts, particularly obedience to the Law as a means to earn righteousness or favor. It denotes activity that expects a corresponding reward or merit.
• otherwise: (ἐπεὶ, epei) – Means "since," "because," or "for if so," introducing the logical consequence of the stated condition. It explains why grace and works cannot mix.
• grace would no longer be grace: This phrase defines the very essence of charis. If human effort contributes, the favor becomes merited or partially earned, thus losing its fundamental nature as an unmerited gift. The very definition of grace would be invalidated.
• And if it is by works, it is no longer by grace; otherwise work would no longer be work: This parallel statement (which, while present in the majority of New Testament manuscripts, is absent in some of the earliest and most authoritative textual traditions like P46, Vaticanus, and Sinaiticus) mirrors the first clause to reinforce the point from the opposite angle. If a person earns something, it's called wages or payment, not grace. If "work" becomes mingled with "grace" as its source or reward, then "work" loses its identity as something that accrues merit. The two systems are antithetical.

Romans 11 6 Bonus section

The second part of Romans 11:6 ("And if it is by works, it is no longer by grace; otherwise work would no longer be work.") is often noted by textual critics. While its inclusion in the Majority Text tradition (from which translations like the KJV, NKJV largely derive) confirms its theological acceptance, its absence in highly regarded early manuscripts (P46, א, B) suggests it may have been an early scribal gloss or harmonization, added to further emphasize Paul's point symmetrically. However, even without the second clause, the first clause ("But if it is by grace, it is no longer by works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace") powerfully and independently communicates the central theological truth of the verse regarding the non-negotiable incompatibility of grace and works as the basis for divine election and salvation. Its existence highlights the early church's clear understanding and reinforcement of Paul's doctrine of grace alone.

Romans 11 6 Commentary

Romans 11:6 is a pivotal verse, powerfully encapsulating a core tenet of Paul's theology: the radical distinctiveness and mutual exclusivity of grace and works as pathways to divine approval or election. Paul's logic is direct and uncompromising: grace by its very definition implies an unearned, unmerited divine favor. The moment human effort, performance, or adherence to a set of rules (works) becomes a condition or contribution to receiving that favor, it ceases to be grace. It becomes a reward, a debt paid for labor, effectively turning God's gift into a wage. This absolute distinction eliminates any possibility of a "mixed system" where grace makes up for a deficit in human performance, or where works complement grace to secure salvation. God's election of a remnant in Israel, or indeed anyone, is therefore shown to be entirely an act of His free, undeserved grace, establishing His sovereignty in salvation and undermining any human boasting. It clarifies that grace is not a crutch for incomplete efforts but the sole foundation.