ACC ~ Romans 11 v5

CHOSEN BY GRACE. ORIGEN: The fact that Paul adds the words “chosen by grace” seems to me to be significant. He could have said simply that there is a remnant saved by grace, but by adding “chosen” he indicates that there is grace both with and without election. For everyone who is saved has doubtless been saved by grace, but those who have been saved by the election of grace seem to me to be more perfect than the others. For just as Israel includes all those who are descended from the nation of Israel as well as those who worship God with a pure mind and sincere heart, so we may also assume that all who come to faith in Christ come by grace. But those in whom the gift of grace is adorned with the works of virtue and purity of heart will be said to be saved not only by grace but by the election of grace. COMMENTARY ON THE EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS.

CALLED TO SALVATION. ORIGEN: Not only the Gentiles are benefited by the coming of Christ but also some who belong to the divine race, many of whom have been called to salvation. ON FIRST PRINCIPLES 4.2.6.

BROUGHT TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE LORD. EUSEBIUS OF CAESAREA: The remnant of the Jews has proclaimed the sign of the Lord to all the Gentiles and has joined to God in one people, drawn to him, the souls of the Gentiles which are brought out of destruction to the knowledge of the Lord. PROOF OF THE GOSPEL 2.3.

WHOM GOD FOREKNEW. AMBROSIASTER: Even though many have fallen away, those whom God foreknew have remained in the promise of the law. For those who have accepted Christ as he was promised in the law have remained in the law, but those who rejected Christ have fallen away from it. COMMENTARY ON PAUL’S EPISTLES.

AT THE PRESENT TIME THERE IS A REMNANT. AUGUSTINE: The “remnant” refers to the Jews who have believed in Christ. Many of them did believe in the days of the apostles, and even today there are some converts, though very few. THE CITY OF GOD 17.5.

GRACE, NOT MERIT. AUGUSTINE: The election of which the apostle speaks is according to grace, not merit. PREDESTINATION OF THE SAINTS 16.33.

PELAGIUS: Just as all did not perish then, so too some are saved now. The election of grace is faith just as works are the election of the law. Otherwise, what sort of election is it where there is no difference in merit? PELAGIUS’S COMMENTARY ON ROMANS.

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