Romans 11:29 kjv
For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
Romans 11:29 nkjv
For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
Romans 11:29 niv
for God's gifts and his call are irrevocable.
Romans 11:29 esv
For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
Romans 11:29 nlt
For God's gifts and his call can never be withdrawn.
Romans 11 29 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Rom 11:29 | For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. | God's faithfulness, Security in Christ |
| John 10:28-29 | I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. | Eternal security, Christ's protection |
| Phil 1:6 | And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. | God's work in believers, Perseverance |
| Jer 31:3 | I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you. | Everlasting love, God's covenant faithfulness |
| Mal 3:6 | "For I the LORD do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed." | God's immutability, Preservation of Israel |
| Heb 6:17-18 | So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. | God's unchanging purpose, Oath, Encouragement |
| Eph 1:4-5 | even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, | Election, Predestination, God's will |
| 2 Tim 2:13 | if we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself. | God's faithfulness, Denial of self |
| Rom 3:3-4 | What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faith of God? By no means! Let God be true, though every man be a liar, as it is written, "That you may be justified in your words, and prevail when you are tried." | God's truthfulness, Man's sin, God's justification |
| Eph 2:8-9 | For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. | Salvation by grace, Gift of God, No boasting |
| Acts 1:8 | But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. | Holy Spirit's empowerment, Witnessing |
| Rom 1:11 | For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— | Imparting spiritual gifts, Strengthening |
| 1 Cor 12:4-11 | Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. | Diversity of gifts, Unity in the Spirit |
| 1 Cor 1:8 | who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. | Sustaining to the end, Guiltless day |
| 1 Thess 5:23-24 | May the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will also do it. | Sanctification, Preservation, God's faithfulness |
| Psalm 103:17 | But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children's children, | God's steadfast love, Righteousness |
| Heb 13:8 | Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. | Christ's unchanging nature |
| 1 Peter 1:25 | but the word of the Lord remains forever. And this word is the gospel that was preached to you. | Word of God, Eternal truth |
| John 15:16 | You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give it to you. | Christ's choosing, Fruit-bearing, Abiding fruit |
| Jer 29:11 | For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. | God's plans, Future and hope |
Romans 11 verses
Romans 11 29 Meaning
For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. This verse powerfully declares that God's endowments and His selection of individuals are permanent and unchangeable. Once God bestows a gift or extends a call, He does not retract it. This assurance offers immense comfort and security to believers, underscoring God's faithfulness and unwavering purpose in His dealings with humanity.
Romans 11 29 Context
Romans chapter 11 is the culmination of Paul's extended discussion on God's dealings with Israel and the Gentiles. Paul addresses the perceived "rejection" of Israel by God, arguing that God has not utterly cast away His people. Instead, a hardening has occurred in part for the Gentiles' salvation, while God's electing grace remains active. This verse appears at the conclusion of Paul's argument, reinforcing the unchanging nature of God's redemptive plan. It directly follows his illustration of the olive tree, where natural branches (unbelieving Israel) were broken off and wild branches (Gentiles) were grafted in. Paul then warns the Gentiles against arrogance and assures them of God's continued faithfulness.
Romans 11 29 Word Analysis
- "for" (gar): A coordinating conjunction, introducing the reason or explanation for the preceding statements. It signals that what follows provides the basis for the assurance of God's enduring faithfulness and purpose.
- "the gifts" (ta charisma): Plural noun, referring to divine endowments, spiritual graces, or special abilities given by God. In this context, it can encompass the specific spiritual gifts mentioned throughout 1 Corinthians, as well as the broader concept of God's gracious bestowals, including salvation and blessings. It refers to divine enablement.
- "and" (kai): A conjunctive particle, linking "the gifts" and "the calling." It signifies that both aspects – God's bestowing of gifts and His selection – are equally irrevocable.
- "the calling" (he epiklesis): Feminine noun, meaning a calling, an invitation, an appeal, or an invocation. In theological terms, it refers to God's sovereign call to salvation, His selection of individuals for His purposes. This is the same word used in Romans 1:6-7 and 1 Corinthians 1:1-2.
- "of God" (tou theou): Genitive case, indicating possession or origin. Both the gifts and the calling originate from God, highlighting their divine source and authority.
- "are" (eisi): Third-person plural present indicative of 'eimi', to be. Affirming the present and continuous state of these gifts and the calling.
- "irrevocable" (ametamelēta): Neuter plural adjective, meaning without regret, unchangeable, or not to be repented of. It conveys the idea of something that God does not change His mind about or recall. It signifies permanence and divine commitment.
Word Group Analysis:
- "the gifts and the calling": This pairing emphasizes that God's generous provisions and His purposeful selection are intrinsically linked. His calling is demonstrated and empowered through the gifts He bestows, and His gifts serve the purposes of His call.
- "of God": This phrase firmly roots both gifts and calling in the sovereign will and unchanging character of God, emphasizing divine ownership and immutability.
- "are irrevocable": This predicate asserts the eternal security and unchangeable nature of God's dealings. It provides a foundation of assurance that His decisions and provisions are final and unwavering.
Romans 11 29 Bonus Section
The concept of God's irrevocability in this verse stands in stark contrast to conditional covenants or pagan deities that often acted capriciously. Paul's argument is deeply rooted in the Old Testament, where God’s covenant faithfulness (hesed) is a recurring theme (e.g., Psalm 89, Isaiah 55:11). The Hebrew word 'emet', often translated as truth or faithfulness, implies reliability and permanence, qualities intrinsic to God Himself. The unchangeability of God (Malachi 3:6, Hebrews 13:8) is a fundamental attribute that underpins the certainty expressed in Romans 11:29. The word "irrevocable" (ametamelēta) literally means "without regret" or "not to be repented of," emphasizing that God's decisions regarding His gifts and callings are not made in error or subject to later reversal due to unforeseen circumstances or human fault. This does not negate human responsibility or the possibility of individual apostasy if one’s faith was never genuine, but rather underscores God's eternal purpose and faithfulness to those who are truly His.
Romans 11 29 Commentary
Paul concludes his profound theological argument on Israel and the Gentiles with a powerful affirmation of God's faithfulness. The "gifts" refers to God's various gracious bestowments, including the spiritual gifts equipping believers for service and the ultimate gift of salvation. The "calling" signifies God's sovereign choice and His effectual invitation to salvation, extended through Christ. Both are described as "irrevocable," meaning God does not regret, recall, or change His mind about these actions. This means that the spiritual gifts are not temporary and will not be rescinded from the true recipients, nor has God truly rejected His chosen people, Israel, as evidenced by a remnant and the eventual restoration prophesied. This provides believers with absolute certainty in God’s enduring love and His unchangeable purposes for His people. It's not that individuals never fall away through their own sin, but God’s original gift and calling to humanity through Christ remain, and His choosing is not based on man's foreseen works but His own good pleasure.
Practical Usage:
- A believer facing doubt can recall the irrevocable nature of God's calling and gifts for assurance.
- A church leader can be encouraged to continue in service, knowing God’s gifting and calling are steadfast.
- Understanding this assures believers that God's covenant promises, particularly to Israel, will ultimately be fulfilled as prophesied, reminding us of God's long-term faithfulness.