The special privileges that God gave Israel are probably what Paul intended by his reference to God"s gifts (cf. Romans 9:4-5). They have intimate connection with God"s calling of Israel for a special purpose. God will not withdraw these from Israel. He did not choose Israel for her goodness, and He will not abandon her for her badness. Paul said virtually the same thing about the security of individual Christians in Romans 8:31-39. [source][source][source]
Context Summary
Romans 11:25-36 - That God "might Have Mercy Upon All"
"Mysteries" are the reasons and principles of the divine procedure which are hidden from ordinary minds, but revealed to the children of God by the Spirit, who searches the deep things, 1 Corinthians 2:10. We cannot tell how near the brim we are, or when the fullness of the Gentiles will fill the predestined measure. It may be much nearer than we suppose, and then the door will be closed, and the Hebrew nation will be grafted in to serve the divine program in the last stages of human history. They are still beloved for their fathers' sake, and the day is coming when all their sins will be forgiven and taken away.
We may go a certain distance in the devout understanding of the ways of God, but there is a point beyond which we cannot advance; and as we gaze down into the profound abyss of the divine dealings, we must cry, O the depth! Romans 11:33. The origin, the maintenance, and the ultimate end of creation, providence, and redemption, is God. To Him must be the glory! In other words, we shall find that the whole story of sin, redemption, and salvation will unravel and reveal the nature of God, as the prismatic band of color the sunlight. [source]
Chapter Summary: Romans 11
1God has not cast off all Israel 7Some were elected, though the rest were hardened 16There is hope of their conversion 18The Gentiles may not exult over them; 26for there is a promise of their salvation 33God's judgments are unsearchable
Greek Commentary for Romans 11:29
Without repentance [αμεταμελητα] See note on 2 Corinthians 7:10 for this word It is not αμετανοητον ametanoēton (Romans 2:5) from α a privative and μετανοεω metanoeō to change one‘s mind. God is not sorry for his gifts to and calling of the Jews (Romans 9:4.). [source]
Ephesians 1:17The Spirit of wisdom and revelation [] Spirit has not the article, but the reference is to the Holy Spirit. Compare Matthew 12:28; Luke 1:15,Luke 1:35,Luke 1:41; Romans 1:4; 1 Peter 1:2. Wisdom and revelation are special forms of the Spirit's operation. He imparts general illumination (wisdom) and special revelations of divine mysteries. The combination of two words with an advance in thought from the general to the special is characteristic of Paul. Compare grace and apostleship, Romans 1:5; gifts and calling, Romans 11:29; wisdom and prudence, Ephesians 1:8, wisdom and knowledge, Colossians 2:3. [source]
2 Thessalonians 1:11That [ινα] Common after προσευχομαι proseuchomai (Colossians 4:3; Ephesians 1:17; Philemon 1:9) when the content of the prayer blends with the purpose (purport and purpose). Count you worthy (υμας αχιωσηι humas axiōsēi). Causative verb (aorist active subjunctive) like καταχιοω kataxioō in 2 Thessalonians 1:5 with genitive. Of your calling Κλησις Klēsis can apply to the beginning as in 1 Corinthians 1:26; Romans 11:29, but it can also apply to the final issue as in Philemon 3:14; Hebrews 3:1. Both ideas may be here. It is God‘s calling of the Thessalonians. And fulfil every desire of goodness (και πληρωσηι πασαν ευδοκιαν αγατωσυνης kai plērōsēi pasan eudokian agathōsunēs). “Whom he counts worthy he first makes worthy” (Lillie). Yes, in purpose, but the wonder and the glory of it all is that God begins to count us worthy in Christ before the process is completed in Christ (Romans 8:29.). But God will see it through and so Paul prays to God. Ευδοκια Eudokia (cf. Luke 2:14) is more than mere desire, rather good pleasure, God‘s purpose of goodness, not in ancient Greek, only in lxx and N.T. Αγατωσυνη Agathōsunē like a dozen other words in συνη ̇sunē occurs only in late Greek. This word occurs only in lxx, N.T., writings based on them. It is made from αγατος agathos good, akin to αγαμαι agamai to admire. May the Thessalonians find delight in goodness, a worthy and pertinent prayer. Work of faith The same phrase in 1 Thessalonians 1:3. Paul prays for rich fruition of what he had seen in the beginning. Work marked by faith, springs from faith, sustained by faith. With power (εν δυναμει en dunamei). In power. Connect with πληρωσηι plērōsēi (fulfil), God‘s power (Romans 1:29; Colossians 1:4) in Christ (1 Corinthians 1:24) through the Holy Spirit (1 Thessalonians 1:5). [source]
2 Thessalonians 1:11Of your calling [της κλησεως] Κλησις Klēsis can apply to the beginning as in 1 Corinthians 1:26; Romans 11:29, but it can also apply to the final issue as in Philemon 3:14; Hebrews 3:1. Both ideas may be here. It is God‘s calling of the Thessalonians. And fulfil every desire of goodness (και πληρωσηι πασαν ευδοκιαν αγατωσυνης kai plērōsēi pasan eudokian agathōsunēs). “Whom he counts worthy he first makes worthy” (Lillie). Yes, in purpose, but the wonder and the glory of it all is that God begins to count us worthy in Christ before the process is completed in Christ (Romans 8:29.). But God will see it through and so Paul prays to God. Ευδοκια Eudokia (cf. Luke 2:14) is more than mere desire, rather good pleasure, God‘s purpose of goodness, not in ancient Greek, only in lxx and N.T. Αγατωσυνη Agathōsunē like a dozen other words in συνη ̇sunē occurs only in late Greek. This word occurs only in lxx, N.T., writings based on them. It is made from αγατος agathos good, akin to αγαμαι agamai to admire. May the Thessalonians find delight in goodness, a worthy and pertinent prayer. Work of faith The same phrase in 1 Thessalonians 1:3. Paul prays for rich fruition of what he had seen in the beginning. Work marked by faith, springs from faith, sustained by faith. With power (εν δυναμει en dunamei). In power. Connect with πληρωσηι plērōsēi (fulfil), God‘s power (Romans 1:29; Colossians 1:4) in Christ (1 Corinthians 1:24) through the Holy Spirit (1 Thessalonians 1:5). [source]
2 Timothy 1:6I put thee in remembrance [αναμιμνησκω] Old compound to remind (1 Corinthians 4:17; 2 Corinthians 7:15). That thou stir up (σε αναζωπυρειν se anazōpurein). Present active infinitive of αναζωπυρεω anazōpureō old double compound (ανα ana and ζωπυρον zōpuron live coal, ζωος zōos and πυρ pur then the bellows for kindling), to rekindle, to stir into flame, to keep blazing (continuous action, present time), only here in N.T. See note on 1 Thessalonians 5:19 for the figure of fire concerning the Holy Spirit. See αναπτω anaptō in Luke 12:49. The gift of God See note on 1 Timothy 4:14. Here Paul says μου mou (my), there he mentions the presbytery. Paul felt a deep personal interest in Timothy. See note on 1 Corinthians 7:7; Romans 6:23; Romans 11:29 for the gift of God. [source]
1 Peter 4:10A gift [χάρισμα] Originally, something freely given: a gift of grace ( χάρις )Used in New Testament (a) of a blessing of God graciously bestowed, as upon sinners (Romans 5:15,Romans 5:16; Romans 11:29); (b) of a gracious divine endowment: an extraordinary gift of the Holy Spirit dwelling and working in a special manner in the individual (1 Timothy 4:14; 2 Timothy 1:6; Romans 12:6,Romans 12:8). So here. [source]
What do the individual words in Romans 11:29 mean?
Greek Commentary for Romans 11:29
See note on 2 Corinthians 7:10 for this word It is not αμετανοητον ametanoēton (Romans 2:5) from α a privative and μετανοεω metanoeō to change one‘s mind. God is not sorry for his gifts to and calling of the Jews (Romans 9:4.). [source]
Only here and 2 Corinthians 7:10. See on repented, Matthew 21:29. Not subject to recall. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Romans 11:29
Spirit has not the article, but the reference is to the Holy Spirit. Compare Matthew 12:28; Luke 1:15, Luke 1:35, Luke 1:41; Romans 1:4; 1 Peter 1:2. Wisdom and revelation are special forms of the Spirit's operation. He imparts general illumination (wisdom) and special revelations of divine mysteries. The combination of two words with an advance in thought from the general to the special is characteristic of Paul. Compare grace and apostleship, Romans 1:5; gifts and calling, Romans 11:29; wisdom and prudence, Ephesians 1:8, wisdom and knowledge, Colossians 2:3. [source]
Common after προσευχομαι proseuchomai (Colossians 4:3; Ephesians 1:17; Philemon 1:9) when the content of the prayer blends with the purpose (purport and purpose). Count you worthy (υμας αχιωσηι humas axiōsēi). Causative verb (aorist active subjunctive) like καταχιοω kataxioō in 2 Thessalonians 1:5 with genitive. Of your calling Κλησις Klēsis can apply to the beginning as in 1 Corinthians 1:26; Romans 11:29, but it can also apply to the final issue as in Philemon 3:14; Hebrews 3:1. Both ideas may be here. It is God‘s calling of the Thessalonians. And fulfil every desire of goodness (και πληρωσηι πασαν ευδοκιαν αγατωσυνης kai plērōsēi pasan eudokian agathōsunēs). “Whom he counts worthy he first makes worthy” (Lillie). Yes, in purpose, but the wonder and the glory of it all is that God begins to count us worthy in Christ before the process is completed in Christ (Romans 8:29.). But God will see it through and so Paul prays to God. Ευδοκια Eudokia (cf. Luke 2:14) is more than mere desire, rather good pleasure, God‘s purpose of goodness, not in ancient Greek, only in lxx and N.T. Αγατωσυνη Agathōsunē like a dozen other words in συνη ̇sunē occurs only in late Greek. This word occurs only in lxx, N.T., writings based on them. It is made from αγατος agathos good, akin to αγαμαι agamai to admire. May the Thessalonians find delight in goodness, a worthy and pertinent prayer. Work of faith The same phrase in 1 Thessalonians 1:3. Paul prays for rich fruition of what he had seen in the beginning. Work marked by faith, springs from faith, sustained by faith. With power (εν δυναμει en dunamei). In power. Connect with πληρωσηι plērōsēi (fulfil), God‘s power (Romans 1:29; Colossians 1:4) in Christ (1 Corinthians 1:24) through the Holy Spirit (1 Thessalonians 1:5). [source]
Κλησις Klēsis can apply to the beginning as in 1 Corinthians 1:26; Romans 11:29, but it can also apply to the final issue as in Philemon 3:14; Hebrews 3:1. Both ideas may be here. It is God‘s calling of the Thessalonians. And fulfil every desire of goodness (και πληρωσηι πασαν ευδοκιαν αγατωσυνης kai plērōsēi pasan eudokian agathōsunēs). “Whom he counts worthy he first makes worthy” (Lillie). Yes, in purpose, but the wonder and the glory of it all is that God begins to count us worthy in Christ before the process is completed in Christ (Romans 8:29.). But God will see it through and so Paul prays to God. Ευδοκια Eudokia (cf. Luke 2:14) is more than mere desire, rather good pleasure, God‘s purpose of goodness, not in ancient Greek, only in lxx and N.T. Αγατωσυνη Agathōsunē like a dozen other words in συνη ̇sunē occurs only in late Greek. This word occurs only in lxx, N.T., writings based on them. It is made from αγατος agathos good, akin to αγαμαι agamai to admire. May the Thessalonians find delight in goodness, a worthy and pertinent prayer. Work of faith The same phrase in 1 Thessalonians 1:3. Paul prays for rich fruition of what he had seen in the beginning. Work marked by faith, springs from faith, sustained by faith. With power (εν δυναμει en dunamei). In power. Connect with πληρωσηι plērōsēi (fulfil), God‘s power (Romans 1:29; Colossians 1:4) in Christ (1 Corinthians 1:24) through the Holy Spirit (1 Thessalonians 1:5). [source]
Old compound to remind (1 Corinthians 4:17; 2 Corinthians 7:15). That thou stir up (σε αναζωπυρειν se anazōpurein). Present active infinitive of αναζωπυρεω anazōpureō old double compound (ανα ana and ζωπυρον zōpuron live coal, ζωος zōos and πυρ pur then the bellows for kindling), to rekindle, to stir into flame, to keep blazing (continuous action, present time), only here in N.T. See note on 1 Thessalonians 5:19 for the figure of fire concerning the Holy Spirit. See αναπτω anaptō in Luke 12:49. The gift of God See note on 1 Timothy 4:14. Here Paul says μου mou (my), there he mentions the presbytery. Paul felt a deep personal interest in Timothy. See note on 1 Corinthians 7:7; Romans 6:23; Romans 11:29 for the gift of God. [source]
See note on 1 Timothy 4:14. Here Paul says μου mou (my), there he mentions the presbytery. Paul felt a deep personal interest in Timothy. See note on 1 Corinthians 7:7; Romans 6:23; Romans 11:29 for the gift of God. [source]
Originally, something freely given: a gift of grace ( χάρις )Used in New Testament (a) of a blessing of God graciously bestowed, as upon sinners (Romans 5:15, Romans 5:16; Romans 11:29); (b) of a gracious divine endowment: an extraordinary gift of the Holy Spirit dwelling and working in a special manner in the individual (1 Timothy 4:14; 2 Timothy 1:6; Romans 12:6, Romans 12:8). So here. [source]