Romans 11:5 - Printer Friendly

ESV: So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace.

NIV: So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace.

NASB: In the same way then, there has also come to be at the present time a remnant according to God’s gracious choice.

CSB: In the same way, then, there is also at the present time a remnant chosen by grace.

NLT: It is the same today, for a few of the people of Israel have remained faithful because of God’s grace — his undeserved kindness in choosing them.

KJV: Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.

NKJV: Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace.

Paul is making the case that God has not rejected Israel as His people, as well as the fact that a remnant of Israel has remained faithful to God by faith in Christ. This small portion of the Jewish people have received Christ as Messiah instead of rejecting Him in order to try to be saved by their works through the law.

Paul proclaims now that this remnant has been chosen by God's grace. By this, Paul means that they have not earned their place in this faithful remnant of Israelites. Just as Gentile Christians are chosen by God's grace, these Israelites have received salvation as a gift. Paul wants to be clear they have not earned it in any way by being faithful to the law of Moses.

The following verse not only summarizes this point, it also stands alone as a crucial part of Christian theology. Grace cannot be mixed with good works—either salvation is attained according to God's grace, or it's earned by deeds. It cannot be both at the same time. Paul has already demonstrated that salvation by one's own works is impossible (Romans 3:10, 20).

Romans 11:1–10 finds Paul insisting that God has not rejected Israel forever, despite her refusal to come to Christ. For one thing, Paul himself and a remnant of Jewish people have trusted in Christ by God's grace. God has hardened the rest of Israel in her unbelief, causing her to trip over the stumbling block that is Jesus Christ. They remain unable, for now, to see that following the law will not bring them to God's righteousness. But the story isn't over.

In Romans 11, Paul concludes his exploration of God's plan for His chosen people Israel. It's true that as a nation, Israel has rejected faith in Christ, but a remnant of Israelites has believed in Jesus. God has hardened the rest in unbelief, but will bring Israel back to faith when enough Gentiles have come to Him through Christ. Then many Israelites will trust in Christ, as well, and God will renew His covenant with His people. Paul concludes this section with a powerful poem or hymn about God's independence and how He is beyond our full comprehension.

Romans 11 concludes Paul's discussion about God's plan for the Israelites begun in Romans 9 and 10. Paul insists that, though Israel as a nation has rejected Christ, a remnant of Jewish Christians exists by God's grace. God has hardened the rest in their unbelief until enough Gentiles have come to Him through Christ. Then God will release Israel to believe in Christ and restore His covenant with her as many individual Jews come to faith in Christ, as well. Paul stands in awe of God's vast and unknowable mind and complete ownership of all things.

The book of Romans is the New Testament's longest, most structured, and most detailed description of Christian theology. Paul lays out the core of the gospel message: salvation by grace alone through faith alone. His intent is to explain the good news of Jesus Christ in accurate and clear terms. As part of this effort, Paul addresses the conflicts between law and grace, between Jews and Gentiles, and between sin and righteousness. As is common in his writing, Paul closes out his letter with a series of practical applications.

Accessed 5/4/2024 10:49:00 AM