John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 6. And if by grace, then is it no more of works , etc..] Upon election, being called the election of grace, the apostle forms an argument, showing the contrariety and inconsistency of grace, and works, in that affair; proving, that it must be by the one or the other: and if by the one, then not by the other; and that these two cannot be mixed and blended together in this matter. If election is by grace, as it certainly is; for no other reason can be given why God has chose one, and not another, but his own sovereign pleasure, or that free favour and unmerited love, with which he loves one and not another; and not because they are better, or had done or would do better things than others; then it is no more, or not at all, for it never was of works, was not influenced by them, does not arise from them, for it passed before ever any were done; and those that are done aright spring from it, and therefore could never be the rule and measure, causes, motives, and conditions of it; otherwise grace is no more grace ; for grace (as Austin has long ago observed) is not grace, unless it is altogether freed; it will lose its nature, and ought to change its name, and be no more called or reckoned grace, but a due debt; and a choice of persons to salvation should be thought, not to be what God is free to make or not, but what he is obliged to, as a reward of debt to men's works: but if it be of works, then it is no more grace ; if election springs from, and depends upon the works of men, let no man ascribe it to the grace of God; for there is nothing of grace in it, if this be the case: otherwise work is no more work ; that will free gift: but these things are contrary to one another; and so unalienable and unalterable in their natures, that the one cannot pass into the other, or the one be joined with the other, in this or any other part of man's salvation; for what is here said of election, holds true of justification, pardon of sin, and the whole of salvation. The Ethiopic version applies it to justification.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-10 - There was a chosen remnant of believing Jews, who had righteousness an life by faith in Jesus Christ. These were kept according to the election of grace. If then this election was of grace, it could not be of works, either performed or foreseen. Every truly good disposition in a fallen creature must be the effect, therefore it cannot be the cause of the grace of God bestowed on him. Salvation from the first to the last must be either of grace or of debt. These things are so directl contrary to each other that they cannot be blended together. God glorifies his grace by changing the hearts and tempers of the rebellious. How then should they wonder and praise him! The Jewis nation were as in a deep sleep, without knowledge of their danger, or concern about it; having no sense of their need of the Saviour, or of their being upon the borders of eternal ruin. David, having by the Spirit foretold the sufferings of Christ from his own people, the Jews foretells the dreadful judgments of God upon them for it, Ps 69. Thi teaches us how to understand other prayers of David against his enemies; they are prophecies of the judgments of God, not expression of his own anger. Divine curses will work long; and we have our eye darkened, if we are bowed down in worldly-mindedness.
Greek Textus Receptus
ει 1487 COND δε 1161 CONJ χαριτι 5485 N-DSF ουκετι 3765 ADV εξ 1537 PREP εργων 2041 N-GPN επει 1893 CONJ η 3588 T-NSF χαρις 5485 N-NSF ουκετι 3765 ADV γινεται 1096 5736 V-PNI-3S χαρις 5485 N-NSF ει 1487 COND δε 1161 CONJ εξ 1537 PREP εργων 2041 N-GPN ουκετι 3765 ADV εστιν 2076 5748 V-PXI-3S χαρις 5485 N-NSF επει 1893 CONJ το 3588 T-NSN εργον 2041 N-NSN ουκετι 3765 ADV εστιν 2076 5748 V-PXI-3S εργον 2041 N-NSN
Vincent's NT Word Studies
6. Otherwise (epei ). Lit., since. Since, in that case.Grace is no more, etc. (ginetai). Lit., becomes. No longer comes into manifestation as what it really is. "It gives up its specific character" (Meyer).
But if of works, etc. The best texts omit to the end of the verse.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
11:6 {Otherwise} (epei). Ellipse after epei (since), "since, in that case." {Is no more} (ouketi ginetai). "No longer becomes" grace, loses its character as grace. Augustine: _Gratia nisi gratis sit gratia non est_.
