Romans 12 2

Romans 12:2 kjv

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Romans 12:2 nkjv

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Romans 12:2 niv

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is?his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Romans 12:2 esv

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Romans 12:2 nlt

Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Romans 12 verses

Romans 12 2 Meaning

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good, pleasing and perfect. This is a call to a radical inward transformation, moving away from external conformity to societal norms and embracing a mind renewed by God’s truth. This renewal is the key to understanding and aligning oneself with God's perfect will.

Romans 12 2 Context

Chapter 12 of Romans begins a new section following the doctrinal expositions of chapters 1-11. Paul transitions to practical instructions for Christian living. This verse serves as a pivotal call to action, urging believers to respond to God’s mercy by living transformed lives. It directly follows the immense theological truths about God's redemptive plan and the implications of salvation. The early church faced immense pressure to conform to the prevailing Hellenistic and Roman cultures, which were often contrary to Christian values. This verse would have been particularly relevant for believers navigating such pressures.

Romans 12 2 Word analysis

• And I exhort (parakalo): Implies earnest pleading or strong encouragement. Paul is not merely suggesting but powerfully urging.
• you (humas): Refers to the believers in Rome.
• brothers (adelphoi): An affectionate term of address, emphasizing the unity and family of believers.
• by the (dia): Indicates the means or agency.
• mercies (oiktirmos): Refers to God's compassion and mercy. The plural suggests the abundance and variety of God's mercies shown in Christ.
• of God (tou Theou): Pertains to the source of these mercies.
• to present (parastesai): Means to offer or to set before. It has sacrificial overtones, implying offering oneself to God.
• your (humon): Possessive pronoun.
• bodies (somata): In the New Testament, often refers to the whole person, not just the physical part, due to the ancient understanding of a unified self.
• a living (zonta): Emphasizes a continuous, vital offering, contrasting with dead sacrifices of the Old Covenant.
• sacrifice (thusia): A specific offering, a sacred gift.
• holy (hagion): Set apart for God, consecrated.
• acceptable (eüareston): Well-pleasing, agreeable.
• to God (to Theō): Directed towards God.
• which is (hos): Pronoun connecting to the sacrifice.
• your (humōn): Possessive pronoun.
• reasonable (logikēn): Also translated as "spiritual" or "rational." It signifies an act of intelligent worship, a thoughtful response rather than mere ritual.
• service (latreian): Service, worship. Often used for religious service.

Group of words analysis:

• Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God: This phrase powerfully combines the Old Testament concept of sacrifice with a New Testament application. It's not about death but a living, ongoing dedication of one's entire being (body and soul) to God’s service, presented as pure and pleasing to Him. It signifies offering our daily lives as worship.
• Which is your reasonable service: This highlights that this spiritual worship is the rational, intelligent, and expected response from a redeemed individual. It’s not an irrational command but a logical conclusion of God’s overwhelming mercies.

Do not be conformed (mē synschēmatizesthe): A strong negative command using the imperative mood, emphasizing a continuous resistance against adopting outward patterns.

• to this (tōi): Demonstrative pronoun.
• world (aiōni): Refers to the current age or epoch, with its prevailing attitudes, values, and systems often contrary to God's kingdom.
• but be transformed (all’ metamorphousthe): A command using the passive voice, indicating the source of transformation is external (God’s power) and continuous. ‘Metamorphousthe’ is the root of our word "metamorphosis," signifying a deep, internal change in essence and nature, not just outward appearance.
• by the renewing (anakainesis): Regeneration, restoration, refreshment.
• of your (tou): Possessive pronoun.
• mind (nous): Refers to the intellect, understanding, will, and disposition. It's the core of one's thought processes and perceptions.
• that you may prove (eis to dokimasei): In order to test and approve, to discern and confirm through experience.
• what (tis): What sort of thing.
• is (estin): State of being.
• the will (thelēma): The desire, purpose, or intention.
• of God (tou Theou): God’s active purpose.
• good (agathon): Morally good, beneficial.
• pleasing (arestin): Agreeable, acceptable.
• and (kai): Conjunction.
• perfect (teleion): Complete, mature, finished, without flaw.

Group of words analysis:

• Do not be conformed to this world: This warns against adopting the external fashions, behaviors, and ideologies of the current fallen age. It’s about resisting the outward pressures that shape individuals into the world’s image.
• but be transformed by the renewing of your mind: This presents the counter-command. The true change comes from within, through God’s Spirit reordering our thinking, understanding, and desires. This inner renewal then naturally impacts our outward conformity.
• so that you may prove what is the will of God—what is good, pleasing and perfect: The transformed mind is capable of discerning God's perfect, pleasing, and good plan for life, allowing believers to live in accordance with it. This is not about guessing but a confident, experienced confirmation.

Romans 12 2 Bonus section

The concept of "bodies" (somata) as a living sacrifice also anticipates Paul's further teaching in Romans 13:14 and Galatians 5:16, where he speaks of putting off the old self and walking by the Spirit, or in Philippians 3:21 about Christ transforming our humble bodies. The word "reasonable" (logikēn) also relates to the "Word of God," which is living and powerful (Hebrews 4:12). The "renewal of the mind" is essential for spiritual warfare, as described in Ephesians 6:10-17, equipping believers to stand against the enemy by changing their perspective. This transformation is a lifelong process, mirroring Christ’s own developmental growth in wisdom and stature (Luke 2:52).

Romans 12 2 Commentary

This verse is the essence of the believer's response to God’s salvific grace. It’s a direct application of the mercies Paul expounded. The call is to present oneself, wholly and entirely, as a living, consecrated sacrifice. This offering is acceptable not because of our inherent merit, but because it’s surrendered to God, set apart for His use, and understood as a rational act of worship flowing from a regenerated heart.

The command to not be conformed to the world highlights the constant battle against external societal influences that oppose godly principles. It's a plea to avoid mere outward imitation of spiritual behavior. Instead, the transformative power comes from an internal renewal of the mind. This mental renovation, guided by the Holy Spirit, reorients our thoughts, desires, and understanding. A renewed mind allows us to move beyond merely knowing about God's will to actively discerning and approving it, experiencing its goodness, acceptability, and perfection in our lives. It shifts focus from external appearances to internal character and faithful obedience, transforming our service into an act of loving devotion.