So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace.
English Standard Version (ESV)
It's easy to read this verse as simply saying some Jewish people believed in Jesus. But the really striking part is that this "remnant" wasn't chosen because they were somehow better or deserved it more. Their very existence is a testament to God's sovereign choice, a reminder that salvation hinges entirely on His grace, not human merit.
So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is addressing the question of whether God has completely rejected His people, Israel, in light of their widespread rejection of Jesus. He's showing that just as in Elijah's day a faithful remnant remained despite a national spiritual crisis, a similar "remnant" exists in the present time. This remnant isn't chosen based on their merit or works, but solely by God's gracious choice.
When it feels like everyone has turned away, how do we know God hasn't given up?
Paul addresses a tough question: Has God abandoned His people, Israel? He answers with a resounding 'No!', but not in the way we might expect.
A Parallel to History
Paul points back to the prophet Elijah. In Elijah's day, it seemed like he was the only one left who truly followed God, with everyone else bowing to idols. But God revealed to Elijah that He had preserved a 'remnant' – seven thousand faithful Israelites.
The Present Reality
Paul applies this same principle to his own time. Even though the majority of the Jewish nation rejected Jesus, God hadn't cast them off entirely. There was still a 'remnant' – those who, by God's grace, believed in Jesus. This shows us that God's plan isn't always about the visible majority; He is always preserving a people for Himself, even when it's not obvious.
If God chooses a 'remnant,' what makes them worthy of being chosen?
The verse pinpoints how this remnant is set apart: 'chosen by grace.' This is a crucial distinction Paul emphasizes throughout his writings.
Grace Excludes Merit
Paul makes it clear that if someone is chosen by grace, it cannot be because of their own actions or merits. Grace and works are opposites in this context. If your salvation depended on what you , it wouldn't be a free gift (grace). Conversely, if it's a free gift, it can't be earned by works.
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Divine Initiative
This means God's choice isn't based on foreseeing who would be 'good enough.' Instead, the choice originates entirely with God's own free favor and good pleasure. He sets His affection on people not because of anything in them, but solely because of His own gracious purpose.
Understand the original words
leimma · Greek Noun
A small remaining portion or surviving group of people. In theology, it refers to the faithful few within a larger population who remain loyal to God amidst widespread apostasy or judgment.
chariti · Greek Noun
The unmerited, undeserved favor and kindness of God toward humanity, particularly in the context of salvation, where God acts to rescue and redeem those who cannot save themselves.
This verse draws a powerful parallel between the time of Elijah and the present day for Paul's readers, highlighting that even during widespread national apostasy or rejection, God always preserves a 'remnant' chosen purely by His grace, not by human merit.
c. 875-860 BC
Elijah's Ministry in Israel
During a time of widespread idolatry under King Ahab and Queen Jezebel, the prophet Elijah confronts the nation, believing he is the only faithful follower of God left.
c. 875 BC
God's Hidden Remnant in Elijah's Time
God reveals to Elijah that He has reserved seven thousand in Israel who have not bowed to the idol Baal, showing that faithfulness can exist even when unseen.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus' Ministry and Rejection by Many Jews
Jesus, the promised Messiah, begins his public ministry, but the religious and political leadership, along with many Israelites, reject him and his message.
c. AD 33
Pentecost and the First Jewish Believers
Following Jesus' ascension, the Holy Spirit empowers his followers, leading to the conversion of thousands of Jews who believe Jesus is the Messiah.
c. AD 40s-50s— this verse
Paul's Ministry to Jews and Gentiles
The Apostle Paul preaches the Gospel throughout the Roman Empire, encountering both belief and rejection from Jewish communities, and establishing churches among Gentiles.
c. AD 60s
Growing Jewish Rejection of the Gospel
By the time Paul writes his letter to the Romans, the majority of the Jewish people have rejected Jesus as the Messiah, leading to their spiritual 'rejection' as a nation in favor of Gentile believers.
This passage directly parallels Elijah's experience, where God revealed a hidden 'remnant' of 7,000 who had not bowed to Baal, mirroring the remnant of Jewish believers in Paul's time.
Isaiah 10:21This prophetic passage speaks of a remnant returning to the mighty God, echoing the idea of a saved remnant from a larger group that has strayed.
Romans 9:27Paul quotes Isaiah 10:21 here, drawing a direct line from ancient prophecy to the present situation, emphasizing that only a remnant of Israel would be saved.
Acts 21:20This passage shows a significant number of Jews who believed in Jesus, demonstrating that while a 'remnant' in comparison to the whole nation, their number was substantial, fulfilling the prophecy.
ellicottRomans 11:5: "Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace."
(5, 6) As there was a remnant then, so also is there a remnant now. That there should be so is due not to any human merit on the part of those exempted from the fate of their nation, but to the spontaneous act of the divine grace selecting them from the rest. These two things,” grace” and “works,” really exclude each other. The Apostle reverts somewhat parenthetically, and because his mi…
cambridgeRomans 11:5: "Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace."
5 . at this present time ] In which the mournful phenomenon of Jewish unbelief occasioned this whole discussion. there is ] Lit. there hath been : it was and still is. a remnant ] a reserve, a leaving . The noun is cognate to the verb “I reserved” in Romans 11:4 . This “remnant” at some stages of apostolic history ( Acts 6:7 ; Acts 21:20 ,) was in itself very numerous. But it was always,…
It's easy to read this verse as simply saying some Jewish people believed in Jesus. But the really striking part is that this "remnant" wasn't chosen because they were somehow better or deserved it more. Their very existence is a testament to God's sovereign choice, a reminder that salvation hinges entirely on His grace, not human merit.
Paul is addressing the question of whether God has completely rejected His people, Israel, in light of their widespread rejection of Jesus. He's showing that just as in Elijah's day a faithful remnant remained despite a national spiritual crisis, a similar "remnant" exists in the present time. This remnant isn't chosen based on their merit or works, but solely by God's gracious choice.
Paul is addressing the question of whether God has completely rejected His people, Israel, in light of their widespread rejection of Jesus. He's showing that just as in Elijah's day a faithful remnant remained despite a national spiritual crisis, a similar "remnant" exists in the present time. This remnant isn't chosen based on their merit or works, but solely by God's gracious choice.
"So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace." — It's easy to read this verse as simply saying some Jewish people believed in Jesus. But the really striking part is that this "remnant" wasn't chosen because they were somehow better or deserved it m…
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Last reviewed October 2026