What Does Romans 11:6 Mean in the King James?

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.

Romans 11:6 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

This verse in the Selah Decoded Version

THE KEY

The moment work becomes favor’s source, favor has changed into a wage.

THE MEANING

What reaches you as favor is not a payment for your performance. The verse holds two sources apart: what comes by favor does not come from work, while what comes from work is owed. The distinction is not how much you do, but what the gift rests on.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

It undoes the belief that enough performance can earn favor: once something is owed as a wage, it is no longer favor.

THE ROOT

χάρις

charis

GROWS FROM

χαρ-

char-

Favor, graciousness, goodwill.

“grace” in this verse is charis. The word-family includes ⁨χάρισμα⁩ (charisma), a gracious gift, and ⁨χαρίζομαι⁩ (charizomai), to grant freely or show favor. So favor here names the source of what is received; it is not a reward added after performance.

ALSO GROWS

charisma: A gracious gift, a gift of favor.

χάρισμα

It shows favor taking the form of something received, rather than something earned.

charizomai: To grant freely or show favor.

χαρίζομαι

It carries the sense of favor as an act of giving, not the settlement of a debt.

ἔργων

ergōn

GROWS FROM

ἐργ-

erg-

Work, deed, task, or accomplished activity.

“works” in this verse is ergōn. The same stem appears in ⁨ἐργάζομαι⁩ (ergazomai), to work, and ⁨ἐργάτης⁩ (ergatēs), a worker. When work is the source, the result is owed; when favor is the source, work cannot be its price.

ALSO GROWS

ergazomai: To work or perform a task.

ἐργάζομαι

It keeps the focus on activity as the source from which something comes.

ergatēs: A worker or laborer.

ἐργάτης

It makes visible the worker whose labor can create a claim to wages.

THE PATTERN

A gift is defined by its source: favor is received freely, while work creates a claim to what is owed.

Understand therefore, that the LORD thy God giveth thee not this good land to possess it for thy righteousness; for thou art a stiffnecked people.

Deuteronomy 9:6 · KJVThe land is given without being earned by righteousness, so the gift does not measure the receiver’s merit.

Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?

Matthew 20:15 · KJVThe verse places generosity beside the worker’s claim to wages and shows that a gift comes from the giver’s favor.

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Ephesians 2:8-9 · KJVFavor is named as gift, while works are explicitly excluded as its source.

THE THREAD

Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.

Romans 4:4 · KJV

This verse uses the same Greek roots for work, ⁨ἔργον⁩ (ergon), and favor, ⁨χάρις⁩ (charis). It makes the consequence plain: labor creates a debt, and what is owed can no longer be called favor.

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