Romans 11:29
What does Romans 11:29 mean?
A plain-English look at Romans 11:29 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Romans 11:29 means
Paul gives the theological anchor: God does not revoke His gifts and calling. What He bestows and whom He summons, He does so with unwavering purpose. This guarantees that His covenant commitments to the patriarchs—and thus to Israel—will not be nullified by human unfaithfulness. The verse safeguards assurance for all believers as well: salvation rests on God’s fidelity, not our fluctuating performance. In the specific context, it undergirds the promise that Israel’s present hardening is not the final word. God’s reliable character ensures the future mercy already foretold.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000For the gifts and the calling of God are not repented of.
KJV
King James Version · 1611For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901For the gifts and the calling of God are not repented of.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Because God's selection and his mercies may not be changed.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862for unrepented of <FI>are<Fi> the gifts and the calling of God;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For the gifts and the calling of God are without repentance.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890For the gifts and the calling ofGod [are] not subject to repentance.
Context
Verse 29 supports verse 28’s claim that Israel remains beloved regarding election. By appealing to God’s unchanging commitment, Paul gives a foundation for the preceding promises of Israel’s salvation (verses 26–27). The argument is now poised to summarize how God’s mercy has moved between Gentiles and Jews in salvation history (verses 30–32), leading into a doxology of praise (verses 33–36).
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Hosea 13:14
I will ransom them from the power of Sheol; I will redeem them from death: O death, where are thy plagues? O Sheol, where is thy destruction? repentance shall be hid from mine eyes.
- Malachi 3:6
For I, Jehovah, change not; therefore ye, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed.
- Numbers 23:19
God is not a man, that he should lie, Neither the son of man, that he should repent: Hath he said, and will he not do it? Or hath he spoken, and will he not make it good?
- Romans 8:28
And we know that to them that love God all things work together for good, even to them that are called according to his purpose.
- Hebrews 7:21
(for they indeed have been made priests without an oath; but he with an oath by him that saith of him, The Lord sware and will not repent himself, Thou art a priest for ever);
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