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NASB | Romans 11:29 for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Romans 11:29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable [for He does not withdraw what He has given, nor does He change His mind about those to whom He gives His grace or to whom He sends His call]. |
Bible Question: In Romans 11:29, does this also mean that since God gave me a gift(s) and I sin or continue in sin he does not take the gift(s)back? |
Bible Answer: Hi VDavis, The gifts being referred to in this passage are specific gifts, referred to in the context. The Greek word used for gifts here is "charismata", the plural form of "charis". Charis is used in Romans 5-6, translated "grace". Charismata is used in in romans 12:6, translated "gifts", as Paul gives a teaching on spiritual gifts. Since the general context of Romans 11 is of the election of Israel, with their belief, unbelief, and the opportunity presented to the gentiles, this reference to gifts is somewhat enigmatic. It could be refering back to verses 5-6, and the grace of election, except those instances of charis are all singular, and in verse 29 charismata is plural, so that if it includes the grace of election, it also includes more. So what it the more that it includes? This is where I have to go to other passages that tell me about the charismata, the gifts, and in the very next chapter Paul writes about the charismata, the gifts, that are given. These are the "spiritual gifts", the supernatural abilities God gives to us to enable us to do the works that He has assigned for each of us. So according to this passage, God gives us grace towards salvation, and graces (gifts) towards the ministry of the body of Christ, and He does not take back any of these gifts. Now, if we continue in sin, God will do what is required to bring us back to repentance. Our ministry may stop, and we can become stalled in our walk (See Hebrews 12). But when we return, as God returns us to Him, we will find that we still have those gifts He gave to us, and that there is still work for us to accomplish. Charismata, graces, never were dependant on our "being good". If they were, well, none of us are good. God saves us, and equips us for work. He has preordained works for us to walk in (Eph 2:10). We are either moving forward, walking in those works, or we are stalled, not moving forward. But God, in the grace He lavishes upon us, intends for us to continue our walk once we have repented of the sin "that is so good at standing in our way". Please also see Post 161010. God may take back the ministry He has assigned us to if we are unfaithful with it, He may remove the resources He has made available if we misuse them, but He does not take back the supernatural abilities He has given to us to do His work. I hope this helps! Love in Christ, Mark |