Phrasing of Romans 12:1-2

NT

Romans 12:1-2

esv

Exhortation

I appeal to you

From παρακαλέω (call to one’s side); VPAI1S

therefore,

brothers,

From ἀδελφοί (brothers), hence referring to believers

by the mercies of God,

Basis for 12:1a; has references to chapters 1 to 11

to present

Verb, Aorist, Active, Infinitive

your bodies

Parallel with 12:1l

as a ... sacrifice,

living

As opposed to a lifeless sacrifice

holy

Set apart

and acceptable

to God,

which is your spiritual worship.

From λογικός (rational, reasonable, thus true); NIV=true & proper, NLT= true way

Means & Purpose

Do not be conformed

[ - ]; from συσχηματίζω [from sún, together with & schēmatízō, to fashion] = to fashion alike; VPPM2P

to this world,

From αἰών = referring to an age or time, cf. kósmos, referring to people or space

but be transformed

[ + ]; Fr. μεταμορφόω [fr. metá = change of place or condition, & morphóō = to form] = to transform; VPPM2P

by the renewal

Manner of 12:2c; fr. ἀνακαίνωσις = to cause something to become new & diff., w/ the impl. of becoming superior

of your mind,

Mind = way of thinking

that by testing you may discern

Purpose of 12:2c; fr. δοκιμάζω = to draw a conclusion about worth on the basis of testing; VPAN

what is the will

of God,

what is good

and acceptable

Pleasing

and perfect.

Pert. to meeting the highest standard

phrasing

notes

Download Link for the Phrasing of Romans 12:1-2:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7NMrs45E5USak5sUmNYV3Y0eTg/view?usp=sharing

Romans 12:1-2 Notes

The Transformed Mind (Romans 12:1-2) 1. comes from no other but God (Ro. 12:1d) = by the mercies of God Cross References: Romans 6:13 (NIV) Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life ; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. Romans 6:19 (NIV) I am using an example from everyday life because of your human limitations. Just as you used to offer yourselves as slaves to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer yourselves as slaves to righteousness leading to holiness. 1 Corinthians 6:20 (NIV) you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies . Ephesians 4:1 (NIV) As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2. offers true worship (Ro. 12:1e-l) = present your bodies as sacrifice = spiritual worship Cross References: Ephesians 4:22-24 (NIV) You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self , which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds ; 24 and to put on the new self , created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Commentaries: " It is easier to die once for God than to live always the surrendered life . But nothing so pleases God as daily surrender, the sacrificed and yielded will tied by cords to his altar. Such an attitude is the only reasonable one we can assume. If God be all we profess to believe, he is worthy of all we are." (ThrBib) "The problem with living sacrifices is that they keep crawling off the altar ." (NET Bible) "If Jesus Christ be God and died for me, no sacrifice I make can be too great for Him ." C. T. Studd ( Evidence Bible Notes) "God wants us to offer ourselves, not animals, as living sacrifices— daily laying aside our own desires to follow him, putting all our energy and resources at his disposal and trusting him to guide us. We do this out of gratitude that our sins have been forgiven ." (LASB NIV - Notes) "God has good, pleasing, and perfect plans for his children. He wants us to be transformed people with renewed minds, living to honor and obey him. Because he wants only what is best for us , and because he gave his Son to make our new lives possible, we should joyfully give ourselves as living sacrifices for his service ." (LASB NIV - Notes) "How can the body become a sacrifice? Let the eye look on no evil, and it is a sacrifice. Let the tongue utter nothing base, and it is an offering. Let the hand work no sin, and it is a holocaust. (Webster gives as a definition of "holocaust," a sacrifice wholly consumed by fire.) But more, this suffices not, but besides we must actively exert ourselves for good; the hand giving alms, the mouth blessing them that curse us, the ear ever at leisure for listening to God." (Chrysostom, Wuest Word Studies) 3. does not go with the flow (Ro. 12:2a-b) = not conformed to this world Cross References: 1 Peter 1:14-16 (NIV) As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance . 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” 1 John 2:15-17 (NIV) Do not love the world or anything in the world . If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. 16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life —comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away , but whoever does the will of God lives forever. Commentaries: The word "world" is aion, which Trench defines as follows: " All that floating mass of thoughts, opinions, maxims, speculations, hopes, impulses, aims, aspirations, at any time current in the world, which it may be impossible to seize and accurately define, but which constitute a most real and effective power, being the moral, or immoral atmosphere which at every moment of our lives we inhale, again inevitably to exhale,-all this is included in the aion (age), which is, as Bengel has expressed it, the subtle informing spirit of the kosmos or world of men who are living alienated and apart from God. " (Wuest) It is very telling that being"conformed" to the present world is viewed as a passive notion , for it may suggest that it happens, in part, subconsciously . At the same time, the passive could well be a " permissive passive ," suggesting that there may be some consciousness of the conformity taking place . Most likely, it is a combination of both. (NET Bible Notes) "Anything that cools my love for Christ is the world." (John Wesley) "we are reminded that the world is ever seeking to mold us to its will , and we need the renewing grace of the Holy Spirit, that we may withstand its baleful influence." (ThrBib) " TYPICAL AMERICAN. A United Press survey found that the “typical American” is a twenty-seven-year-old who does not read one book a year . He is materialistic, satisfied with small pleasures, bored with theological disputations . Although he may attend church twenty-seven times a year, he is not interested in the supernatural . He is concerned with neither heaven nor hell . In fact, he has no interest whatever in immortality . His principal interests are football, hunting, fishing, and car-tinkering ." (Lon Woodreum, Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations) Which Disturbs You Most? A soul lost in Hell … or a scratch on your new car? Your missing the worship service … or missing a day’s work? A sermon 10 minutes too long … or lunch half hour late? A church not growing … or your garden not growing? Your Bible unopened … or your newspaper unread? The church work being neglected … or housework neglected? Missing a good Bible study … or your favorite TV program? The millions who do not know Christ … or your inability to keep up with the neighbors? The cry of the multitude for bread … or your desire for another piece of German chocolate cake? Your tithes decreasing … or your income decreasing? Your children late for Sunday school and Church … or late for public school? Which really disturbs you most? ( The Bible Friend, Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations) 4. discerns God's will (Ro. 12:2f-k) = by testing you may discern the will of God Cross References: Ephesians 5:15-17 (NIV) Be very careful, then, how you live — not as unwise but as wise , 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish , but understand what the Lord’s will is . Extended Translation of Romans 12:1-2: I therefore beg of you, please, brethren, through the mercies of God, by a once for all presentation, to place your bodies at the disposal of God, a sacrifice, a living one, a holy one, well-pleasing, your rational, sacred service. And stop assuming an outward expression that does not come from within you and is not representative of what you are in your inner being, but is patterned after this age; but change your outward expression to one that comes from within and is representative of your inner being, by the renewing of your mind, resulting in your putting to the test what is the will of God, the good and well-pleasing, and complete will, and having found that it meets specifications, placing your approval upon it. (Wuest) Commentaries: “As our Christian life progresses, we should gradually notice that our thought life is being changed from Christlessness to Christlikeness . Transformation does not happen overnight. Our regeneration is instantaneous, but our transformation is continuous. We are conformed to Christ’s image gradually as we spend time in intimate fellowship with Him.” (NKJV Word Study Bible) "The aim of the gospel is not merely doctrinal truth but lives that connect with God, delight in his will , and further his interests in glad communion with him." (Gospel Transformation Notes) "Christians are called to “not conform to the pattern of this world,” with its behavior and customs that are usually selfish and often corrupting . Many Christians wisely decide that much worldly behavior is off limits for them. Our refusal to conform to this world’s values, however, must go even deeper than the level of behavior and customs—it must be firmly planted in our minds —“be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” It is possible to avoid most worldly customs and still be proud, covetous, selfish, stubborn, and arrogant. Only when the Holy Spirit renews, reeducates, and redirects our minds are we truly transformed." (LASB NIV - Notes)