Romans Chapter 11 Vs. 6

The Remnant of Israel

And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. Rom 11:6

And if by... The Jews were saved by grace and not because of any connection with a covenant of works. If it were of works, then it would cease to be a free and unmerited gift. Grace is charis, meaning “favor” or “kindness”. A closely-related word, charisma, means “a free gift.” For a gift to truly be a gift, it must be unmerited and unearned.

it be of... Once you mix one particle of work into the transaction, it is no longer fully grace since merit becomes involved.

Israel does not deserve God’s continued favor. Like all who have been chosen by God, the nation Israel, as represented by the believing remnant among the Jews, does not deserve God’s continued election.

Paul emphasizes that it is by God’s undeserved, unmerited favor, which overcomes the rejection and crucifixion of Israel’s own Messiah. Israel neither earned nor deserves God’s favor. He stands by Israel because of His name’s sake (Eze. 36:20-24).

Concerning the gospel, unbelieving Jews are enemies, but concerning election they are beloved for the sake of the fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Rom. 11:28-32).

Eph. 2:8-9 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God:” “Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

We see from this that we cannot work our way to heaven, Salvation is a free gift. Truly even the Holy Spirit must woo you, or the desire to come to Jesus would never be there. Our part in all of this is to reach out and take what God has offered to us. Truly we have nothing to do with who we are as we read in this next Scripture.

1Cor. 15:10 “But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which [was bestowed] upon me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.”

Again Paul added that this choice is totally by God’s grace (cf. Eph. 2:8-9) and he emphasized the antithesis between grace and works (cf. Rom. 4:4-5; Rom. 9:30-32).