And if by grace, then it is no longer from works; otherwise grace is no longer grace.
Truth to Learn
It is either grace or works. It can’t be both.
Behind the Words
The Greek word translated “grace” is a form of charis, which we looked at in yesterday’s verse. I like how The Complete Word Study Dictionary defines charis:
A favor done without expectation of return; the absolutely free expression of the loving kindness of God to men finding its only motive in the bounty and benevolence of the Giver; unearned and unmerited favor.
“Works” is from the Greek word ergon, which means “to perform labor, to carry out some action, or to do a deed.” It is in these two latter senses that Paul uses the word in this verse.
Meaning Explained
Paul is now making a further point about the election of grace which he referred to in the previous verse. That verse said,
Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace. (Romans 11:5)
The point he made there was that God’s choosing, His election, is by grace. It is done by God’s benevolent choice, without expectation of gaining anything in return. We did not earn it and we do not deserve it. And if it is truly unearned and unmerited, that means that we did nothing at all to earn it or to deserve it (we did not earn it or deserve it by deciding to get saved and asking Jesus into our heart).
In the current verse Paul says that if this election is by grace, then it is not the result of works, otherwise it would cease to be by grace. He is going to great lengths to show that God chooses whom he wants to save (whether in the Old Testament dispensation or in the church age), and he chooses strictly based on whom He wants to choose, not based on anything we have done or will do.
As I have said before, there are a lot of well meaning, committed Christians who claim that God foreknew who would believe and, as a result, chose them. But even believing in the truth of the gospel is an action on our part. It is a deed, an action, a work, and Paul says that if we are saved by a deed, then it is not by God’s grace. He says we are not saved by works, but by grace. It is God’s choice, not ours!
And – consider this. If God foreknew who would accept Christ as Savior, then it logically follows that he also foreknew who would reject Christ as Savior. Therefore, He foreknew everyone’s choice and according to Romans 8:29, everyone would be predestined to be conformed to the image of Christ, and we know that isn’t true.
because whom He foreknew, He also predestinated to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the First-born among many brothers. (Romans 8:29)
The “remnant in the present time” that Paul is talking about in these verses refers to the people saved during the church age, whom he is comparing to the remnant of Israel that God promised Elijah were set-apart in his day. It also refers to the remnant of Israel who will be saved when the Messiah returns. Paul tells us that each of these groups is chosen by God’s election, not based on their works (their faithfulness or any other of their actions) but by His gift of grace.
Application
My friends, I don’t know how Paul can make this any clearer. We are saved, not because of what we have done, but because of what He has done. I don’t deserve this salvation any more than you do and none of us did anything to earn it.
We are saved by God’s grace because He chose us. Period!
In God's service, for His glory,
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