ἀμεταμέλητος (ametamelētos)
ametamelētos
irrevocable
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek adjective ametamelētos describes something that is irrevocable or unregretted. It combines a negative prefix with a root related to changing one’s mind, creating a term for decisions that stand firm regardless of later feelings. In the New Testament, this word appears only twice, both in Paul’s letters, to characterize God’s actions.
Paul uses it to explain the enduring nature of divine gifts and calling. In Romans 11:29, he asserts that God’s gift and call are ametamelētos, meaning they cannot be withdrawn or revoked even when human response falters. Similarly, in 2 Corinthians 7:10, he contrasts godly sorrow with worldly regret, noting that the former leads to salvation without regret, while the latter results in death.
The term emphasizes the stability of God’s will. Unlike human decisions, which may shift with changing circumstances or emotions, the divine purpose remains fixed. This word underscores a theological confidence: what God initiates and intends does not suffer from second thoughts or reversals of fortune.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When life feels unstable or when you worry that your standing with God might shift based on your performance, this word offers deep comfort. The term ametamelētos describes something that cannot be taken back or regretted by the one who gave it. In Romans 11:29, Paul uses it to assure believers that God’s gifts and calling remain firm. This means His commitment to you does not waver because of your mistakes or changing emotions.
It is easy to feel like our spiritual progress is fragile, but this text reminds us that divine purpose stands firm. Unlike human decisions that often change with the wind, God’s intent is steady. You can rest in the knowledge that He does not look back on His love for you with regret or seek to withdraw it.
This stability invites you to live with confidence rather than fear. Knowing that your calling is secure allows you to focus on growing in faith without the heavy burden of trying to maintain God’s favor through sheer effort. Your security rests in His character, which is constant and reliable.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- without regret1×
- Irrevocable1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀμεταμέλητον1×
- ἀμεταμέλητα1×
Key Verses
-
Romans 11:29
For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
This verse applies the word directly to God's gifts and calling, establishing that divine election cannot be revoked.
-
II Corinthians 7:10
For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, which brings no regret. But the sorrow of the world produces death.
Here the concept appears in the noun form to contrast godly repentance with worldly regret, showing that true change leads to salvation without undoing.