If salvation is by grace, is it no longer by works?
Yes. Scripture explains that if salvation is by grace, then it is no more of works; if it were of works, it would no longer be grace. Grace and works cannot mix. Jews and Gentiles alike must be saved the same way, not by works or feast days, but entirely by grace.
Les explains that verse 6 teaches that if salvation is by grace, that gospel by which we are saved, then it is no more of works. This applies to Jews no differently than Gentiles, for there is no difference; Jew and Gentile are all together unworthy and without hope, so a Jew has to be saved the same way Gentiles are today. Jewish people must understand that if they are going to be saved by this gospel of grace, they have to drop all their works religion of Judaism. As beautiful as their ceremonies may be—even the Passover service and many feast days are beautiful pictures of the program and doctrine of grace—they are not saved by keeping those Jewish feast celebrations. They must come away from that and realize it is not by works, not by keeping any feast days, but all of grace. There can be no works for a Jew any more than for a Gentile. If it is of works, then it is no more grace; otherwise work is no more work. It sounds like double talk, but it is not.
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.
More Questions
Why can't grace be mixed with works?
Grace cannot be mixed with works because if it is by grace, it is no more of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace.