Romans 11:6 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Paul insists that grace and earning are different in kind: if the remnant stands by grace, it does not stand by works, for grace would otherwise cease to be grace.
What Does Romans 11:6 Mean?
Continuing from the previous verse, Paul defines what he means by the election of grace. He sets grace and works side by side to show that they cannot be mixed as the basis of God's gift; a gift freely given and a wage owed cannot be the same thing.
The point guards God's kindness from being turned into a transaction. Grace is God's unearned favor, and it remains grace only when received as gift. This frees the believer from anxious bookkeeping and roots their hope in God's generosity rather than their own ledger.
Romans 11:6 in the Original Language
charis (χάρις), 'grace' -- unearned favor freely given, opposed here to anything owed as a wage.
Frequently Asked Questions About Romans 11:6
What does Romans 11:6 mean?
Paul insists that grace and earning are different in kind: if the remnant stands by grace, it does not stand by works, for grace would otherwise cease to be grace.