Romans 11:6

And if by grace, &c. This verse is wholly parenthetical. Not that its statement is alien to the whole argument, but this is not its logical place. The argument is continuous between Romans 11:5; Romans 11:7; but St Paul is so desirous to make the truth of Gratuitous Salvation perfectly clear and familiar that he seizes this passing occasion to re-state it, as it were in a note. The occasion is the quotation (Romans 11:4) of the words "I have reserved;" in which St Paul sees the sovereign act of Divine grace, withholding a remnant from the commission of idolatrous sin. The faithful seven thousand were faithful "not according to their works, but according to His purpose and the grace given to them."

no more of works no longer of works. i.e. when oncethis principle is granted, thenceforththe thought that it is "of works" is negatived. So below, "no more grace;" "no more work." The best commentary on this verse is the argument of cch. 3 and 4. Nothing could be clearer than St Paul's anxiety to give an absolutedenial to the whole idea of antecedent human merit as a factor among the causesof salvation. Grace, to be grace, must be entirely uncaused by anything of meritorious claim in us.

But if it be, &c. There is much documentary evidence against the genuineness of this last half of the verse. It is however not conclusive; and slight variations in the Gr. phrases, as compared with those of the first half, afford an internal argument for retention; for an imitatorwould probably follow the model exactly. Certainly the reiteration of the truth in question would be just in keeping here, and it is doubtful whether that truth is one which was so well grasped in the early centuries as that copyists would tend to emphasize it by an insertion.

work is no more work Work, in the sense in question, (i.e. as an antithesis to grace,) necessarily involves claim. This necessary idea must be negatived if "works" and "grace" can coincide as causes of salvation.