“For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.”
Romans 11:29, KJV
“For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.”
Romans 11:29, ESV
Table of Contents
Romans 11:29 Meaning – the gifts and calling of God are without repentance
God, however, is not unmindful of the covenant which he had made with their fathers, by which he testified his embracing in love that nation by his eternal purpose and counsel.
The apostle confirms this by an important and excellent truth, that the grace of the divine calling cannot be in vain, which is implied by Paul’s expressions, the gifts and callings of God are without repentance.
The gifts and callings of God mean, by hypallage [transposition], the kindness and benefit of the calling of God; nor ought this to be understood as relating to any other calling but that by which God adopted the posterity of Abraham into his covenant, since this was the particular subject in dispute.
Calvin, John – Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans tr. Francis Sibson (1834)
Because the Jews had been deprived from their own fault of their right to salvation, which had been promised them, Paul, that some hope may continue concerning the remnant, contends that the counsel and decree of God remain firm and immutable, by which he had once condescended to elect them for himself as a peculiar people.
If, therefore, it was impossible for the Lord to depart in any way from the covenant which he had entered into with Abraham, (Genesis 17:7,) “I will be the God of thy seed,” he did not entirely turn away his kindness from the Jewish nation.
Calvin, John – Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans tr. Francis Sibson (1834)
Argument 16. Preventing an objection; Although this nation by just desert, may seem to fall from all its priviledges, yet because of the gifts of special grace bestowed, (and in particular, their calling according to his purpose) whether upon any nation above others, or upon any man above others, are unchangeable, which God will never wholly cut off, or recall, but will in the conversion of this people make it appear that they are firm. Therefore this nation ought not to be contemned by you, but to be had in honor rather.
Dickson, David – An Exposition of All St. Paul’s Epistles (1659)
In confirmation of this sentiment, the apostle adds, “For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.”
“Without repentance,” means ‘irretractable.’ This is not to be understood as an unlimited declaration: for God does withdraw benefits when they are abused.
It is to be considered as referring to the subject of discussion — the gifts and calling of Israel as a people, secured in the covenants, and promises made to their fathers.
It is true that the gifts and calling of God to the spiritual Israel are irretractable; but they are not spoken of here. To quote this passage as a direct proof of the perseverance of the saints, is to misinterpret it. The promises made to Abraham in reference to his posterity — to his natural posterity as well as to his mystical seed, must all in due time be fulfilled, and they must continue a separate people till they are fulfilled. The sentiment here is the same as that expressed with so majestic an eloquence by the prophet Jeremiah [in Jeremiah 31:35-37.]
Brown, John – Analytical exposition of the epistle of Paul the apostle to the Romans (1857)
