Can Christians work miracles today per Rom. 11:29?
Introduction. Rom. 11:29 says "For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance" (KJV). The underlying Greek word for "without repentance" ("ametamelētos", Strong's G278) has a couple of shades of meaning, including "not repented of, unregretted". In the New Testament, it occurs only here and in 2 Cor. 7:10 "For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of, but the sorrow of the world worketh death."
Context is Important. Paul in Romans chapter 11 is discussing the salvation offered to mankind, initially to the Israelites as God's chosen people and now to Gentiles. Most Jews were unfaithful, stumbled, and fell. One reason God extended salvation to the Gentiles was to provoke the Jews to jealousy (v. 11, 14) and repentance. Like olive tree branches, unfaithful Jews were broken off and faithful Gentiles were grafted in. But the unfaithful Jews can still repent and be grafted back in (v. 24), resulting in the fulfillment of God's promise and covenant of forgiveness and salvation to all faithful Jews (v. 26-27).
A Question Asked and Answered. As verse 28 and 29 summarize: "As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes. For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance." In its context, verse 29 is the answer to the question of verse 1, "Hath God cast away His people?" No, He chooses to continue extending His gifts and calling to Israel. As A.T. Robertson observes, "God is not sorry for his gifts to and calling of the Jews."
Miraculous "gifts"? But isn't "gifts" from the Greek word "charisma" meaning miracle-working abilities? Yes, the Greek word is "charisma" (Strong's 5486). But it has a range of meanings depending on its context – it is not restricted to miracle-working abilities. According to Vine's dictionary:
"a gift of grace, a gift involving grace" (charis) on the part of God as the donor, is used
(a) of His free bestowments upon sinners, Romans 5:15,16; 6:23; 11:29;
(b) of His endowments upon believers by the operation of the Holy Spirit in the churches, Romans 12:6; 1 Corinthians 1:7; 12:4,9,28,30,31; 1 Timothy 4:14; 2 Timothy 1:6; 1 Peter 4:10;
(c) of that which is imparted through human instruction, Romans 1:11;
(d) of the natural "gift" of continence, consequent upon the grace of God as Creator, 1 Corinthians 7:7;
(e) of gracious deliverances granted in answer to the prayers of fellow believers, 2 Corinthians 1:11 ."
In the context of Rom. 11:29, "the gifts … of God" appear to be more general in nature – all that He had done and continued to do for Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and their descendants.
Conclusion. The context of Rom. 11:29 is unrelated to how long miracle-working power will last among Christians in the gospel era. Paul deals with that subject specifically in 1 Cor. 13.
Context is Important. Paul in Romans chapter 11 is discussing the salvation offered to mankind, initially to the Israelites as God's chosen people and now to Gentiles. Most Jews were unfaithful, stumbled, and fell. One reason God extended salvation to the Gentiles was to provoke the Jews to jealousy (v. 11, 14) and repentance. Like olive tree branches, unfaithful Jews were broken off and faithful Gentiles were grafted in. But the unfaithful Jews can still repent and be grafted back in (v. 24), resulting in the fulfillment of God's promise and covenant of forgiveness and salvation to all faithful Jews (v. 26-27).
A Question Asked and Answered. As verse 28 and 29 summarize: "As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes. For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance." In its context, verse 29 is the answer to the question of verse 1, "Hath God cast away His people?" No, He chooses to continue extending His gifts and calling to Israel. As A.T. Robertson observes, "God is not sorry for his gifts to and calling of the Jews."
Miraculous "gifts"? But isn't "gifts" from the Greek word "charisma" meaning miracle-working abilities? Yes, the Greek word is "charisma" (Strong's 5486). But it has a range of meanings depending on its context – it is not restricted to miracle-working abilities. According to Vine's dictionary:
"a gift of grace, a gift involving grace" (charis) on the part of God as the donor, is used
(a) of His free bestowments upon sinners, Romans 5:15,16; 6:23; 11:29;
(b) of His endowments upon believers by the operation of the Holy Spirit in the churches, Romans 12:6; 1 Corinthians 1:7; 12:4,9,28,30,31; 1 Timothy 4:14; 2 Timothy 1:6; 1 Peter 4:10;
(c) of that which is imparted through human instruction, Romans 1:11;
(d) of the natural "gift" of continence, consequent upon the grace of God as Creator, 1 Corinthians 7:7;
(e) of gracious deliverances granted in answer to the prayers of fellow believers, 2 Corinthians 1:11 ."
In the context of Rom. 11:29, "the gifts … of God" appear to be more general in nature – all that He had done and continued to do for Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and their descendants.
Conclusion. The context of Rom. 11:29 is unrelated to how long miracle-working power will last among Christians in the gospel era. Paul deals with that subject specifically in 1 Cor. 13.