The word rendered “irrevocable” by some translations (Revised Standard Version and New English Bible) basically means “without change of mind or heart.” It is used in this sense in 2 Corinthians 7.10, its only other occurrence in the New Testament. In order to express in English the meaning of “without a change of mind,” it is necessary to change the noun into a verb phrase. Both the Good News Translation and An American Translation* render it by God does not change his mind; the Jerusalem Bible, assuming that the meaning of the word is “irrevocable,” also changes to a verb: “God never takes back his gifts or revokes his choice.”

In light of the context, what is the meaning of the phrase “the gifts and the choice of God”? It is possible, of course, to take “gifts” as a general reference to any blessing that God gives, but in the context “gifts” seems to have a more specific meaning. In light of its connection with the word “called,” it may best be taken as a reference to those blessings which are bestowed on the persons whom God calls. Since the “calling” comes first and the “blessings” follow, the Good News Translation translates the phrase to mean whom he chooses and blesses.

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on Paul’s Letter to the Romans. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1973. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .