Romans 11:29

gifts Gr. charismata; gifts of grace. The word is frequently used of "miraculous" gifts (see on Romans 1:11); but here, obviously, it refers to all the "innumerable benefits" of Divine Salvation.

calling See on Romans 1:6-7; Romans 8:30.

without repentance without change of mind, i.e. on the part of the Giver. This profound fact of the Divine Way of Mercy is here applied to the case of an elect race. Elsewhere (see e.g. Romans 8:30; John 10:28;) the same mysterious law is plainly indicated with regard to elect persons. The two cases are largely illustrative of each other.

The word rendered "without repentance" (same word as 2 Corinthians 7:10; E. V. "not to be repented of,") is strongly emphatic in the Gr. order.