So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse highlights that this "remnant" isn't chosen because of any merit they possess, but solely because of God's undeserved favor, contrasting sharply with any notion of earning salvation through works. This emphasis on "grace" is crucial, underscoring that salvation originates entirely from God's sovereign, unmerited choice.
So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is responding to the question of whether God has completely rejected his people, Israel. He's just described how many in Israel rejected God's Messiah, leading to their widespread spiritual blindness. He then contrasts this national rejection with the example of Elijah, who thought he was the only faithful one left, only to discover God had a hidden reserve of 7,000 faithful worshipers.
Has God abandoned His people? Paul tackles this tough question, revealing that even in times of widespread rejection, God’s faithfulness remains secure through His chosen remnant.
Paul is addressing the potential conclusion that because the majority of Israel rejected Jesus, God has completely cast them aside. He uses the example of Elijah's time, when it seemed like only he was faithful. God revealed to Elijah, however, that He had reserved seven thousand for Himself.
Similarly, in Paul’s day, despite the nation's general unbelief, a remnant of Jews had believed in Jesus. This wasn't because they were inherently better or had earned God's favor through works.
The key phrase is 'according to the election of grace.' This means the choosing itself, the selection of who would believe, was solely based on God's unmerited favor, not on anything they did. God’s sovereign choice, established before time, ensures a people for Himself, regardless of the surrounding spiritual climate.
If you're chosen by God, does that mean you earned it? Paul makes it crystal clear: grace and works are completely separate.
The verse states the remnant is 'chosen by grace.' This directly contrasts with any idea that their faith or any other action earned them a place in this remnant.
Paul argues that grace and works are mutually exclusive. If salvation were based on works, it would be a debt owed, not a free gift. Grace, by its very definition, is unmerited favor.
This means that for those in the remnant, their salvation isn't a reward for past or future good deeds, nor is it a result of God foreseeing their good actions. It’s purely God’s initiative, His free and sovereign choice based on His own good pleasure.
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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.
charis · Greek Noun
Unmerited favor and divine enablement provided by God to undeserving sinners, whereby He grants salvation and righteous standing through faith alone, apart from human merit.
ergon · Greek Noun
Human efforts or deeds performed in an attempt to earn justification or divine approval, which are fundamentally contrasted with the free gift of grace in the biblical doctrine of salvation.
The verse draws a powerful parallel between the faithful few in Elijah's day and the believing Jewish remnant in Paul's time, emphasizing that God's sovereign grace, not national identity or human merit, determines who belongs to His chosen people.
c. 875 BC
Elijah's Ministry Amidst Idolatry
During a period of widespread Baal worship under King Ahab and Queen Jezebel, the prophet Elijah confronts the nation, believing himself to be the only faithful worshipper of God left.
c. 875 BC
God Reserves Seven Thousand
God reveals to Elijah that He has a hidden remnant of seven thousand Israelites who have not bowed to Baal, demonstrating that faithfulness can persist even when unseen.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus' Ministry and Crucifixion
Jesus, an Israelite, proclaims the Kingdom of God, with many Jews following Him, while others reject Him, leading to His crucifixion.
c. AD 33
Pentecost and the Early Church
Following Jesus' ascension, the Holy Spirit empowers the apostles, leading to a massive conversion of Jews in Jerusalem to the Way of Christ.
c. AD 40s-50s— this verse
Paul's Ministry to Gentiles and Jews
The Apostle Paul, initially a persecutor, becomes a fervent believer and missionary, establishing churches among Gentile populations while also engaging with Jewish communities.
c. AD 62
James' Letter Addresses Jewish Believers
James, the brother of Jesus, writes to Jewish believers scattered abroad, emphasizing the importance of works as evidence of genuine faith amid challenging circumstances.
This passage describes God's direct assurance to Elijah that a remnant of 7,000 faithful Israelites still existed, even in a time of widespread idolatry, directly paralleling the idea of a chosen few within Israel in Paul's time.
Isaiah 10:21-22This prophetic passage speaks of a remnant of Jacob returning to the mighty God, echoing the theme that even amidst judgment and vast numbers who fall away, God preserves a faithful few.
Matthew 13:13-15Jesus quotes Isaiah 6, explaining that spiritual blindness can be a consequence of hardened hearts, reinforcing how a remnant can be chosen by grace even when many are passed over.
Acts 15:14-17The Apostle James cites Amos 9 to show God's plan to build His church from both Gentiles and a remnant of Israel, confirming the ongoing inclusion of believing Israelites in God's redemptive purposes.
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,…
The verse highlights that this "remnant" isn't chosen because of any merit they possess, but solely because of God's undeserved favor, contrasting sharply with any notion of earning salvation through works. This emphasis on "grace" is crucial, underscoring that salvation originates entirely from God's sovereign, unmerited choice.
Paul is responding to the question of whether God has completely rejected his people, Israel. He's just described how many in Israel rejected God's Messiah, leading to their widespread spiritual blindness. He then contrasts this national rejection with the example of Elijah, who thought he was the only faithful one left, only to discover God had a hidden reserve of 7,000 faithful worshipers.
Paul is responding to the question of whether God has completely rejected his people, Israel. He's just described how many in Israel rejected God's Messiah, leading to their widespread spiritual blindness. He then contrasts this national rejection with the example of Elijah, who thought he was the only faithful one left, only to discover God had a hidden reserve of 7,000 faithful worshipers.
"So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace." — The verse highlights that this "remnant" isn't chosen because of any merit they possess, but solely because of God's undeserved favor, contrasting sharply with any notion of earning salvation through…
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Last reviewed October 2026