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.

World English Bible
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Other translations

WEBBE

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.

BSB

And if it is by grace, then it is no longer by works. Otherwise, grace would no longer be grace.

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 is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.

ASV

But if it is by grace, it is no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace.

BBE

But if it is of grace, then it is no longer of works: or grace would not be grace.

Original Greek

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εἰ ei If G1487 δὲ de now G1161 χάριτι chariti by grace G5485 οὐκέτι ouketi no longer G3756 ἐξ ex from G1537 ἔργων ergōn works G2041 ἐπεὶ epei otherwise G1893 ἡ hē (the) G3588 χάρις charis grace G5485 οὐκέτι ouketi no longer G3756 γίνεται ginetai would be G1096 χάρις charis grace G5485 εἰ ei if G1487 δὲ de now G1161 ἐξ ex from G1537 ἔργων ergōn works G2041 οὐκέτι ouketi no longer G3756 ἐστὶν estin is G1510 χάρις charis grace G5485 ἐπεὶ epei since G1893 τὸ to the G3588 ἔργον ergon work G2041 οὐκέτι ouketi no longer G3756 ἐστὶν estin is G1510 ἔργον ergon work G2041

The early church

"And if by grace, then it is 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." He again springs upon the disputatiousness of the Jews, in what has just been quoted; and on this ground bereaves them of excuse. For you cannot, he means, so much as say, that the Prophets called indeed, and God invited, and the state of things cried aloud, and the provoking to jealousy was enough to draw us to Him, but what was enjoined was grievous, and this is why we could not draw nigh, since we had a display of works demanded of us, and laborious well-doings. For you cannot even say this. For how should God have demanded this of you, when this would just throw His grace into the shade? And this he said out of a wish to show that He was most desirous that they might be saved. For not only would their salvation be easily brought about, but it was also God's greatest glory to display His love toward man. Why then are you afraid of drawing nigh, since you have no works demanded of you? Why are you bickering and quarrelsome, when grace is before you, and why keep putting me the Law forward to no purpose whatsoever? For you will not be saved by that, and will mar this gift also; since if you pertinaciously insist on being saved by it, you do away with this grace of God.
John Chrysostom · d. 407Homilies on Romans

Commentary

Matthew Henry · Verses 1–10

There was a chosen remnant of believing Jews, who had righteousness and life by faith in Jesus Christ. These were kept according to the election of grace. If then this election was of grace, it could not be of works, either performed or foreseen. Every truly good disposition in a fallen creature must be the effect, therefore it cannot be the cause, of the grace of God bestowed on him. Salvation from the first to the last must be either of grace or of debt. These things are so directly contrary to each other that they cannot be blended together. God glorifies his grace by changing the hearts and tempers of the rebellious. How then should they wonder and praise him! The Jewish nation were as in a deep sleep, without knowledge of their danger, or concern about it; having no sense of their need of the Saviour, or of their being upon the borders of eternal ruin. David, having by the Spirit foretold the sufferings of Christ from his own people, the Jews, foretells the dreadful judgments of God upon them for it, Psa 69. This teaches us how to understand other prayers of David against his enemies; they are prophecies of the judgments of God, not expressions of his own anger. Divine curses will work long; and we have our eyes darkened, if we are bowed down in worldly-mindedness.

Read Matthew Henry on Romans 11 →

Cross-references

10

Topics

WorksGrace Of God

Cross-references: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. Hebrew and Greek data from STEPBible.org (Tyndale House, Cambridge), CC BY 4.0. Library: sources.