Romans 11:6
New International Version
And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.

New Living Translation
And since it is through God’s kindness, then it is not by their good works. For in that case, God’s grace would not be what it really is—free and undeserved.

English Standard Version
But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.

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

Berean Literal Bible
And if by grace, it is no longer from works; otherwise grace no longer would be grace.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
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.

New American Standard Bible
But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, since otherwise grace is no longer grace.

NASB 1995
But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace.

NASB 1977
But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace.

Legacy Standard Bible
But if it is by grace, it is no longer of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace.

Amplified Bible
But if it is by grace [God’s unmerited favor], it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace [it would not be a gift but a reward for works].

Christian Standard Bible
Now if by grace, then it is not by works; otherwise grace ceases to be grace.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Now if by grace, then it is not by works; otherwise grace ceases to be grace.

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

Contemporary English Version
This happened because of God's undeserved kindness and not because of anything they have done. It could not have happened except for God's gift of undeserved grace.

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

GOD'S WORD® Translation
If they were chosen by God's kindness, they weren't chosen because of anything they did. Otherwise, God's kindness wouldn't be kindness.

Good News Translation
His choice is based on his grace, not on what they have done. For if God's choice were based on what people do, then his grace would not be real grace.

International Standard Version
But if this is by grace, then it is no longer on the basis of actions. Otherwise, grace would no longer be grace.

Majority Standard Bible
And if it is by grace, then it is no longer by works. Otherwise, grace would no longer be grace. But if it is by works, then it is no longer grace. Otherwise work is no longer work.

NET Bible
And if it is by grace, it is no longer by works, otherwise grace would no longer be grace.

New Heart English Bible
And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace.

Webster's Bible Translation
And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.

Weymouth New Testament
But if it is in His grace that He has selected them, then His choice is no longer determined by human actions. Otherwise grace would be grace no longer.

World English Bible
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.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and if by grace, no longer of works, otherwise grace becomes no longer grace; and if of works, it is no longer grace, otherwise work is no longer work.

Berean Literal Bible
And if by grace, it is no longer from works; otherwise grace no longer would be grace.

Young's Literal Translation
and if by grace, no more of works, otherwise the grace becometh no more grace; and if of works, it is no more grace, otherwise the work is no more work.

Smith's Literal Translation
And if to grace, it is no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. And if of works, it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And if by grace, it is not now by works: otherwise grace is no more grace.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And if it is by grace, then it is not now by works; otherwise grace is no longer free.

New American Bible
But if by grace, it is no longer because of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.

New Revised Standard Version
But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace would no longer be grace.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And if by grace, then it is not by works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if by works, then it is not by grace: otherwise work is no more work.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But if it is by grace, it is not from works, or else grace is not grace. But if it is by works, it is not from grace, or else work is not work.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And if the election is by grace, it is no longer by works; otherwise grace is no longer grace.

Godbey New Testament
and if by grace, it is not at all by works: since in that case grace is no more grace.

Haweis New Testament
But if by grace, it is no more by works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if by works, it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.

Mace New Testament
and if it be by favour, it is not upon the account of merit, for then mercy would not be mercy.

Weymouth New Testament
But if it is in His grace that He has selected them, then His choice is no longer determined by human actions. Otherwise grace would be grace no longer.

Worrell New Testament
But, if by grace, it is no longer of works; otherwise the grace becomes no longer grace. [But, if of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise, the work is no longer work.]

Worsley New Testament
And if by grace, it is no more of works: for then grace is no longer grace. But if of works, it is no more grace: for then work is no longer work.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Remnant of Israel
5In the same way, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. 6And if it is by grace, then it is no longer by works. Otherwise, grace would no longer be grace. 7What then? What Israel was seeking, it failed to obtain, but the elect did. The others were hardened,…

Cross References
Ephesians 2:8-9
For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, / not by works, so that no one can boast.

Galatians 2:21
I do not set aside the grace of God. For if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing.

Galatians 5:4
You who are trying to be justified by the law have been severed from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.

2 Timothy 1:9
He has saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works, but by His own purpose and by the grace He granted us in Christ Jesus before time began.

Titus 3:5
He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.

Romans 4:4-5
Now the wages of the worker are not credited as a gift, but as an obligation. / However, to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness.

Romans 9:11
Yet before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad, in order that God’s plan of election might stand,

Galatians 3:18
For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on a promise; but God freely granted it to Abraham through a promise.

John 1:17
For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:21
God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.

Philippians 3:9
and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God on the basis of faith.

Hebrews 4:16
Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Isaiah 55:1
“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you without money, come, buy, and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost!

Isaiah 64:6
Each of us has become like something unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all wither like a leaf, and our iniquities carry us away like the wind.

Jeremiah 31:3
The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have drawn you with loving devotion.


Treasury of Scripture

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

And if.

Romans 3:27,28
Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith…

Romans 4:4,5
Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt…

Romans 5:20,21
Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: …

otherwise work.

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Romans 11
1. God has not cast off all Israel.
7. Some were elected, though the rest were hardened.
16. There is hope of their conversion.
18. The Gentiles may not exult over them;
26. for there is a promise of their salvation.
33. God's judgments are unsearchable.














And if it is by grace
The word "grace" in Greek is "charis," which signifies unmerited favor or kindness. In the context of Romans, Paul emphasizes that salvation is a gift from God, not something earned. Historically, this was a radical departure from the Jewish understanding of the law, which was seen as a means to righteousness. The concept of grace underscores the New Covenant, where God's favor is given freely through faith in Jesus Christ, not through adherence to the law.

then it is no longer by works
The term "works" refers to "ergon" in Greek, meaning deeds or actions, particularly those prescribed by the Mosaic Law. Paul is addressing a key theological point: the insufficiency of human efforts to achieve salvation. This reflects the historical tension between Jewish Christians who adhered to the law and Gentile converts who were not bound by it. Theologically, this phrase underscores the doctrine of justification by faith alone, a cornerstone of conservative Christian belief.

Otherwise, grace would no longer be grace
Here, Paul uses a logical argument to reinforce the nature of grace. If salvation could be earned by works, then grace would lose its meaning as a free gift. This statement is a profound reminder of the transformative power of God's love, which cannot be quantified or earned. In the broader scriptural context, this highlights the consistency of God's character throughout the Bible, from the Old Testament promises to the New Testament fulfillment in Christ. Theologically, it affirms the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice and the believer's reliance on God's mercy rather than personal merit.

(6) And if by grace.--The true text of this verse differs considerably from that which is translated in the Authorised version, "But if by grace, then is it no more of works, otherwise grace is no more seen to be grace."

The preservation of the remnant cannot be due to grace and works at the same time; it must be due to one or the other.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
And
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

if [it is]
εἰ (ei)
Conjunction
Strong's 1487: If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.

by grace,
χάριτι (chariti)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5485: From chairo; graciousness, of manner or act.

[then it is] no longer
οὐκέτι (ouketi)
Adverb
Strong's 3765: No longer, no more. Also ouk eti from ou and eti; not yet, no longer.

by
ἐξ (ex)
Preposition
Strong's 1537: From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.

works.
ἔργων (ergōn)
Noun - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 2041: From a primary ergo; toil; by implication, an act.

Otherwise,
ἐπεὶ (epei)
Conjunction
Strong's 1893: Of time: when, after; of cause: since, because; otherwise: else. From epi and ei; thereupon, i.e. Since.

grace
χάρις (charis)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5485: From chairo; graciousness, of manner or act.

{would} no longer
οὐκέτι (ouketi)
Adverb
Strong's 3765: No longer, no more. Also ouk eti from ou and eti; not yet, no longer.

be
γίνεται (ginetai)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1096: A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude.

grace.
χάρις (charis)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5485: From chairo; graciousness, of manner or act.


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