From Genesis through Revelation, God preserves a faithful fraction of His people amid widespread unbelief. This biblical “remnant” motif affirms both divine judgment and sustaining mercy. Strong’s Greek 3005, leimma, encapsulates this idea in Romans 11:5, where Paul identifies a present “remnant chosen by grace.” The word crystallizes the continuity between Old Testament prophecy and New Testament fulfillment, anchoring hope in God’s unwavering covenant purposes.

Romans 11:5—The Singular New Testament Use

“So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace.” (Romans 11:5)

Paul draws a direct parallel between Elijah’s day and his own. Just as seven thousand Israelites had not bowed to Baal (1 Kings 19:18), so in Paul’s generation a subset of ethnic Israel trusted in the Messiah. Leimma therefore serves as the apostle’s theological bridge: Israel’s rejection is neither total nor final; God’s promises stand inviolate through a grace-chosen residue.

Old Testament Foundations

1. Noah and his family survive a global flood (Genesis 6–9) as the first clear scriptural remnant.
2. Abraham intercedes for a righteous minority in Sodom (Genesis 18:22–33).
3. Isaiah foresees survivors after Assyrian aggression: “The surviving remnant of the house of Judah shall again take root below and bear fruit above.” (Isaiah 37:31)
4. Micah assures, “The remnant of Jacob will be among the nations, in the midst of many peoples.” (Micah 5:7)

Though leimma itself does not appear in the Septuagint, Paul’s vocabulary signals these prophetic backgrounds, underscoring the unity of the Testaments.

Pauline Theology of the Remnant

1. Continuity and Contrast
• Continuity: God always preserves a believing core.
• Contrast: Under the new covenant, the remnant now centers on faith in Jesus Christ rather than national identity alone.

2. Grace and Election

Romans 11:5–6 stresses that remnant status rests entirely on divine grace, not human merit: “And if it is by grace, it is no longer by works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.” (Romans 11:6)

3. Eschatological Outlook

The remnant is a pledge of future restoration (Romans 11:12, 26). God’s present work among the few guarantees ultimate mercy toward the many.

Historical Context in Second-Temple Judaism

First-century Jews grappled with Roman occupation, sectarian fragmentation, and messianic expectation. Paul writes to a mixed congregation in Rome, clarifying that despite national unbelief, God’s covenant with Israel has not failed. Leimma thus addresses a pastoral tension: How can Gentile believers rejoice in salvation without fostering arrogance toward Jewish non-believers? Paul’s answer—“the remnant”—maintains theological equilibrium.

Ecclesiological Implications

1. Unity of Jew and Gentile

The remnant concept safeguards the identity of Jewish believers within the one body of Christ, preventing supersessionism while affirming equal standing (Ephesians 2:14–16).

2. Corporate Humility

Awareness that salvation springs from grace alone curbs pride among Gentiles grafted into Israel’s olive tree (Romans 11:17–21).

3. Missionary Mandate

The partial hardening of Israel (Romans 11:25) opens a global evangelistic window. The remnant testifies that God’s promised mercy remains available to all.

Pastoral and Missional Applications

1. Encouragement in Times of Decline

Churches facing cultural marginalization can recall that God often works through small, faithful minorities.

2. Perseverance in Holiness

Remnant identity inspires personal purity as believers view themselves as stewards of covenant faithfulness.

3. Evangelistic Hope for Hard Places

Even in resistant contexts, God reserves people for Himself (Acts 18:10), energizing missions with confidence in sovereign grace.

Related Concepts

• Eklogē (Choice, Romans 11:7): Grounds the remnant in God’s electing purpose.
• Charis (Grace, Romans 11:5–6): Explains the remnant’s origin.
• Katalage (Reconciliation, Romans 11:15): Points to the wider result when the fullness of Israel returns.
• Hupoleimma (Surviving remnant, Romans 9:27 quoting Isaiah): Complements leimma by describing the group that remains after judgment.

Summary

Leimma, though appearing only once in the Greek New Testament, encapsulates a sweeping biblical narrative: God judges unbelief yet preserves a people through sovereign grace, ensuring the fulfillment of His redemptive plan. This remnant stands as both proof of divine fidelity and a catalyst for worldwide blessing, encouraging the Church to cherish grace, pursue holiness, and labor expectantly for the salvation of all nations.