“Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.”
Romans 11:5, KJV
“So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace.”
Romans 11:5, ESV
Table of Contents
- Romans 11:5 Meaning – Even so then at this present time also
- Romans 11:5 Meaning – there is a remnant
- Romans 11:5 Meaning – according to the election of grace
Romans 11:5 Meaning – Even so then at this present time also
Paul applies the example to his own period, and for the purpose of establishing the similitude in its various parts, calls them a remnant, when compared with the great number of impious characters, whose vices were daily in view.
The apostle, at the same time, alludes to the prophecy of Isaiah, already quoted, and shows that the faith of God continues to shine forth in the midst of the melancholy and confused desolation of the people of the Most High, since a certain remnant still continues to exist.
Calvin, John – Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans tr. Francis Sibson (1834)
This is the object of the reference to the election in the times of Elijah, and renders the words at the beginning of the 2d verse quite definite.
As there was a remnant then reserved by God, so there is a remnant now. Both were necessary for the preservation of the nation.
The seven thousand were its salt in Elijah’s time, as were the remnant here spoken of during its present blindness.
Haldane, Robert – Exposition of the Epistle to the Romans (1874)
Romans 11:5 Meaning – there is a remnant
To confirm this with greater certainty, he expressly calls those, who continued believers by the grace of God, a remnant, that afforded an undoubted evidence of the unchangeable election of Infinite Wisdom.
In the same way, also, the Lord said to Elijah, when the whole Jewish people had revolted to idolatry, that he had preserved seven thousand, and hence the conclusion necessarily follows, that the kindness and love of our eternal Father and Saviour had rescued them from the jaws of destruction.
Calvin, John – Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans tr. Francis Sibson (1834)
Now comes the application of this fact by the apostle to the case before him. Amid the general rejection of God and His Messiah by the Israelites, and their general rejection by God on this account, there is “a remnant” — a comparatively small number — who have obeyed the command, “Kiss the Son;” “This is My beloved Son, hear Him;” and these are acknowledged and treated by God as His people.
Brown, John – Analytical exposition of the epistle of Paul the apostle to the Romans (1857)
Romans 11:5 Meaning – according to the election of grace
Paul does not here speak simply of grace, but he recalls us to election, that we may learn to rely and depend with reverence on the secret counsel and decree of God.
One of the propositions, here stated by the apostle, is “the small number who are saved, when contrasted with the great multitude of those who take to themselves the name of the people of the Most High.”
The other proposition is, “that the elect are saved by the power of the Giver of all grace, without any claim to merit on their parts.”
The election of grace is a Hebraism, and means gratuitous election.
Calvin, John – Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans tr. Francis Sibson (1834)
This “remnant” is characterized as a remnant “according to the election of grace” — the gracious election or choice — a choice not founded on man’s merit, but on God’s mercy — sovereign grace.
A part — a small part, remained faithful, according to — in pursuance of — in virtue of, their being, in sovereign mercy, chosen out from among those who sinfully rejected the Messiah, and who, on that ground, were righteously rejected by God.
In the case of the ancient Israelites, it was as idolaters that the body of Israel was disowned — it was as faithful that the remnant were acknowledged.
In the case of the Jews in the apostolic age, it was as unbelievers that the majority were cast off, and as believers that the minority were saved.
Yet in both cases the difference originated in a sovereign, Divine choice.
Left to themselves, all would have been, in the one case, idolaters; in the other, unbelievers.
Brown, John – Analytical exposition of the epistle of Paul the apostle to the Romans (1857)
Than this nothing can be more explicit.
God had formerly reserved for Himself, by His gracious influence and special agency, a small number in Israel; and in the same way, at the time when the Apostle wrote, He had reserved, according to His sovereign choice, a remnant of that nation.
And to set aside every idea that this election was the reward of an inherent good foreseen in those chosen, or of anything meritorious performed by them, the Apostle adds that it was of grace. It was an unconditional choice, resulting from the sovereign free favour of God.
Haldane, Robert – Exposition of the Epistle to the Romans (1874)
