Romans 11:5

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does Romans 11:5 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
Romans 11:5 — American Standard Version

Context — Romans 11

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
5Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Even so then at this present time also, etc..] In which the apostle lived, the time of preaching the Gospel, the accepted time, the day of salvation, which then was, and also now is; at that time when the Gospel was sent unto the Gentiles, and God took out of them a people for his name; when multitudes of them were converted, and embraced the faith of Christ; and when the Jews in general had rejected the Messiah, killed the Lord Jesus, persecuted his apostles, and contradicted and blasphemed the Gospel; yet still God had made a reserve of some among them, for himself: there is a remnant; alluding either to (<231021>Isaiah 10:21,22), or to the oracle delivered to Elijah, saying, “I have…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Even so at this present time--"in this present season"; this period of Israel's rejection. (See Act 1:7, Greek). there is--"there obtains," or "hath remained" a remnant according to the election of grace--"As in Elijah's time the apostasy of Israel was not so universal as it seemed to be, and as he in his despondency concluded it to be, so now, the rejection of Christ by Israel is not so appalling in extent as one would be apt to think: There is now, as there was then, a faithful remnant; not however of persons naturally better than the unbelieving mass, but of persons graciously chosen to salvation." (See Co1 4:7; Th2 2:13). This establishes our view of the argument on Election in Rom.…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“At this present time - In the time when the apostle wrote. Though the mass of the nation was to be rejected, yet it did not follow that all were to be excluded from the favor of God. As in the time of Elijah, when all appeared to be dark, and all the nation, except one, seemed to have become apostate, yet there was a considerable number of the true friends of God; so in the time of Paul, though the nation had rejected their Messiah, though, as a consequence, they were to be rejected as a people: and though they were eminently wicked and corrupt, yet it did not follow that all were cast off, or that any were excluded on whom God had purposed to bestow salvation. A remnant - That which is left…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“According to the election of grace - According to that gracious purpose of God, "He that believeth shall be saved." Romans 11:6”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“11:5 a few of the people of Israel (literally a remnant): Paul returns to the Old Testament concept of the remnant that he used in 9:27-29. This solid core of godly Israelites represents God’s pledge of his continuing faithfulness to his promises and to his people.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“at this present: Rom 11:6, Rom 11:7, Rom 9:27 election of grace: The election which proceeds from the mercy and goodness of God. Rom 11:28, Rom 9:11; Eph 1:5, Eph 1:6 Romans 11:6”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification