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Romans 11:6
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.
With the verse that is before us today, Paul seems suddenly to veer from his argument concerning God’s purposes for the Jews to engage in a brief consideration of divine grace. There are no major theological issues with his words in 11:6. The main question with which commentators wrestle is how to fit this verse into the overall structure of this chapter and of the epistle as a whole.
Dr. James M. Boice simply attributes the inclusion of these words at this spot to Paul’s love of the doctrine of grace. He points out that most of the biblical references to divine grace are found in the words of Paul in Acts and in his epistles. Perhaps, Boice speculates, the mention of the word grace at the end of verse 5 sparks this brief digression on the subject. “Paul’s love of this doctrine is the only reason I can think of for his having included the words about grace that we find in Romans 11:6,” Boice admits candidly in his commentary on Romans. “I say this because they are really unnecessary at this point of the argument.” He adds that Paul wrote these words because he “loved this doctrine, saw it everywhere, and wanted his readers to see it and love it, too. And also perhaps because he knew how difficult it is for most people to accept grace and how inclined we are to add works to it.”
The verse may be unnecessary to Paul’s ongoing argument, but that does not mean it is not profound. As Boice notes, it makes one significant point—“that grace and works are incompatible opposites.” The apostle affirmed in the previous verse that there was, in his own time, a remnant “according to the election of grace.” Now he states, “And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace.” The implication is clear: If those who believe do so because of anything in and of themselves, the grace of God is cheapened and ultimately destroyed. In fact, the second half of the verse states this truth quite plainly: “If it is of works, it is no longer grace.” Many manuscripts do not contain this portion of the verse, but the meaning is really the same as the first part. Simply put, Paul is reminding us, as he has throughout Romans, that salvation is of God. Man cannot save himself, for he desires only sin. All his works are evil only, and it is only when God steps in to change his heart that he is enabled to desire God and to look to Christ in faith.
Coram Deo Living before the face of God
As Christians, we cannot focus on grace too much, for our natural tendency is to give ourselves far more credit than we deserve. We want to believe that something we did caused God to look favorably on us. Take time today to read and underline biblical passages (such as those below) that remind you that you are saved by grace.
For Further Study
- Romans 3:23–24
- Romans 5:20–21
- Ephesians 2:4–8
- 2 Timothy 1:9–10