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Romans 11:6,7
And if by grace, thenis it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But ifit be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work…

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Romans 9:27
Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved:

election of grace.

Romans 11:28
As concerning the gospel,they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election,they are beloved for the fathers' sakes.

Romans 9:11
(Forthe children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)

Ephesians 1:5,6
Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, …

at the present time
Paul is addressing the situation in his own day, during the first century. This was a time when the early church was expanding, and there was tension between Jewish and Gentile believers. The phrase highlights the immediacy and relevance of God's actions in preserving a remnant, showing that His work is ongoing and not confined to the past.

there is a remnant
The concept of a remnant is a recurring theme in the Bible, particularly in the Old Testament. It refers to a small, faithful group that remains true to God despite widespread unfaithfulness. This idea is seen in passages like1 Kings 19:18, where God tells Elijah that He has preserved 7,000 in Israel who have not bowed to Baal. The remnant serves as a symbol of hope and continuity for God's people.

chosen by grace
This phrase underscores the doctrine of election, where God's choice is based on His grace rather than human merit. It aligns withEphesians 2:8-9, which emphasizes salvation as a gift from God, not a result of works. This highlights the sovereignty of God in salvation and His initiative in preserving a faithful remnant. The emphasis on grace also points to the New Covenant, where salvation is extended to all through faith in Jesus Christ, fulfilling the promises made to Abraham.

Paul has just reminded his readers of Elijah’s day, when it seemed that faithful Israel had vanished, yet God preserved seven thousand who refused to bow to Baal (1 Kings 19:18;Romans 11:2-4).

• That historical example sets the pattern: when national apostasy appears total, God still keeps His promise.

• The phrase ties the experience of Elijah to Paul’s own generation—and to every age—showing God’s consistency (Malachi 3:6;Hebrews 13:8).

• It assures believers that God’s covenant purposes never fail, even when circumstances suggest otherwise (Romans 3:3-4).

Paul brings the lesson into the “now.” In his day, many Jews rejected Christ, yet God was still saving a core of Jewish believers.

• “Present time” underscores that God’s saving activity is continuous, not confined to the past (2 Corinthians 6:2).

• It also hints forward: every generation can look around and find living evidence of God’s faithfulness (Psalm 33:11).

• The church should expect God to be actively calling people—both Jew and Gentile—today (Acts 15:14).

The word highlights a smaller group within a larger nation.

• Isaiah had prophesied, “Though the Israelites are as numerous as the sand of the sea, only a remnant will be saved” (Isaiah 10:22;Romans 9:27).

• God’s plan often works through a faithful minority: Noah’s family (Genesis 6-8), Gideon’s three hundred (Judges 7), the early Jerusalem church (Acts 1-2).

• The existence of a remnant disproves the idea that God has abandoned His people (Jeremiah 31:35-37).

Paul anchors the remnant’s existence in God’s unmerited favor.

• Salvation is never earned; it is “by grace… through faith… not of works” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

• God’s choice preceded human response (Romans 9:11, 16), yet His grace invites personal faith (Romans 10:9-13).

• If grace is the basis, boasting is excluded (1 Corinthians 1:26-31); gratitude and humble service are the fitting responses (Titus 3:5-8).

• This phrase sets up the next verse: “And if it is by grace, it is no longer by works” (Romans 11:6), underscoring the absolute sufficiency of grace.

Romans 11:5 assures readers that, just as in Elijah’s day, God continues to preserve a faithful remnant “at the present time.” This remnant exists not because of human merit but because of God’s sovereign, unearned grace. The verse calls believers to trust God’s unfailing promises, recognize His ongoing work, and respond with humble gratitude for the grace that saves and sustains.

The Apostle reverts somewhat parenthetically, and because his mind is full of the thought, to his idea ofRomans 9:11-16. We have here also a break in the train of argument. After establishing the fact that thereis this remnant, the Apostle inquireshow there came to be one. The reason was because the mass of the people trusted to their own works instead of relying upon grace; therefore grace deserted them, and they were left to a judicial blindness.

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