And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
And if it's because of grace, then it has nothing to do with what you've done, otherwise grace wouldn't actually be grace. But if it's because of your actions, then it's not grace anymore, otherwise your work wouldn't really count as work.
Grace and earning it yourself are complete opposites, it's either a gift or it's payment, but it can't be both.
📚 Historical Context
In the book of Romans, Paul is writing to the early Christian church in Rome, addressing the tension between Jewish believers and Gentiles regarding God's plan for salvation. He draws from Old Testament examples, like the prophet Elijah, to illustrate that God's choice of a faithful remnant in Israel was always based on His unearned favor rather than human efforts. This verse emphasizes the core incompatibility between grace and works to clarify that salvation cannot be a mix of both.
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