A sound Christian mind will have no difficulty in making the necessary discrimination on this subject. ν μορφὴν ἀναδεχόμενος, τῇ ἀνακαινώσει τοῦ νοός, τὸ ἀγαθὸν καὶ εὐάρεστον καὶ τέλειον, While a man’s mind continues in its original condition, how sagacious soever he may be, he cannot prove the will of God. See Philippians 2:5; 1 Peter 1:16. The subject in question is two continuous incessant acts which take place on the basis of our consecration performed once for all (the aorist παραστῆσαι, Romans 12:1). On the word, see Lft, Phil., pp. 1. https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/gsc/romans-12.html. 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." But one thing we must deeply bear in mind, that as we cannot deliver ourselves from worldly conformity, so we cannot renew ourselves in the spirit of our mind. The rites of Moses, therefore, in which the Jews gloried, were no longer acceptable to God. The logical relation of this clause to the preceding is doubtful, as the original ( וי ̓ ע פן ̀ הןךילב ́ זוים) admits of its being regarded as expressing either the design or the result of the change just spoken of. by obedience thereunto we shall be accepted. It keeps you down on the Lord’s bottom at the feet of Jesus, whence you never can fall unless you imbibe some pride from Satan and go climbing. The life is to be transfigured, yet it remains the same, not only in the consciousness of personal identity, but in the main trend and drift of the character. As Christians become increasingly aware of God's commandments, they will repeatedly use the power of the gospel to transform their lives into what God desires ( 1 Thessalonians 2:13). Well then, secondly, note the transfigured life. It is wholesome, it is good for you. But it is scarcely possible for God to declare in more express terms your guilt and danger, than he has done in various parts of Holy Writ [Note: John 17:16. Conclusion: To attack at once the worldliness of the religious and the irreligion of the world, is to risk the displeasure of both. And be ye not conformed to this world — Compare Ephesians 2:2; Galatians 1:4, Greek. Many may think that they are not conformed to the world, while they can easily perceive that their neighbor is. 2.And conform ye not to this world, etc. III. He is Himself that little child to whose pattern we are to humble ourselves. g.]. It involves the main duty of religion to be separated from the world; and expresses the way in which that duty may be performed, and in which we may live so as to ascertain and do the will of God. It is possible to be a Christian without ever making this commitment since it is voluntary. BibliographyNicol, W. Robertson, M.A., L.L.D. Alas! Romans 12:2. Consider the ultimate consequence which the Apostle regards as certain, from this central inward change, viz., the unlikeness to the world around. This is attested by St. Paul [Note: 2 Corinthians 5:14-15. We see here that faith is the grand Archimedian lever of spiritual power in every phase of heroic enterprise and gracious availability. Finding the new version too difficult to understand? That ye may prove — May be enabled to discern, approve, and know, not merely speculatively, but experimentally and practically, and by sure trial; what is the good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God — The will of God is here to be understood of all the preceptive part of Christianity, which is in itself so excellently good, so acceptable to God, and so perfective of our nature: and it is here “set in opposition, on the one hand, to the idolatrous rites of worship practised by the heathen, which in their own nature were extremely bad; and, on the other, to the unprofitable ceremonies and sacrifices of the law of Moses, concerning which God himself declared that he had no pleasure in them, Hebrews 10:5-9. So the Christian must not attempt to go with the current of a sinful world: if he does, it will not only hinder, but end his religious progress; but he must go against it, and then every effort of his soul will be upward, heavenward, Godward. For the relation of dependence on παρακαλῶ is in any case forced. And be not conformed — Neither in judgment, spirit, nor behaviour; to this vain and sinful world — Which, neglecting the will of God, entirely follows its own; but be ye transformed — Regenerated and created anew; by the renewing of your minds — Of your understandings, wills, and affections, through the influence of the Spirit of God, Titus 3:5. Johann Albrecht Bengel's Gnomon of the New Testament. 2. III. “But be ye transformed by the renewing of the mind.” All sinners have the carnal mind only; sanctified people the mind of Christ only; while the unsanctified Christians are all “double-minded” (James 1:4; 4:8), having the mind of Christ and the carnal mind in a state of irreconcilable conflict, the one or the other destined to perish. Be not conformed to this world; do not fashion or accommodate yourselves to the corrupt principles, customs, or courses of worldly and wicked men; and what they are, you will find in Romans 13:13 Ephesians 4:18,19 1 Peter 4:3. The "children of light," on the contrary, "being risen with Christ," have a life of their own-the life of pardoned and reconciled believers: renewed in the spirit of their mind, they breathe a new air, they have new interests and affections, and their sympathies are all spiritual and heavenly. Hard not to be fashioned by the world. We can either live "after the Spirit" and be "dead to sin" (6:11), or we can be "fashioned according to the world" and "live after the flesh." but be ye transformed — or, “transfigured” (as in Matthew 17:2; and 2 Corinthians 3:18, Greek). Scripture: Romans 12:3–8. THE morality, no less than the doctrines, of the Gospel far excels the boasted inventions of philosophy. ", [Note: Hiebert, "Presentation and . BibliographyBarnes, Albert. https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/wbc/romans-12.html. In N.T. Perfect - Free from defect, stain, or injury. A heart in love with the fashions and follies of the world is ill-suited to appreciate the arguments for humility, prayer, etc. . . Do not follow the customs, the fashions, the principles of the world. Romans 12:2 “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. And when that is completed in the glorified man he is renewed in the divine likeness. Colossians 3:10. It enters in different proportions into different bosoms; it is found in a different form in contiguous towns, in the fashionable watering-places, and in the commercial city; it is this thing at Athens, and another in Corinth. All our actions proceed--. That the inner monitor of life does indeed have control over both mind and body is seen in the Old Testament statement: Whatever it is that rules man's spirit, that essential center of human control, is the seat of all authority over human thought and behavior. Scripture: Romans 12:3–13. Stated another way, Paul meant we seek to develop and then use the ability "to give a critical answer with the renewed mind concerning the will of God" (Exegetical Dictionary of the New Testament, 1:342). 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. And the transformation is to be into His likeness who is the pattern of all perfection. https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/ebc/romans-12.html. (Luke 8:14). Winer, p. 121 [E. T. 159]; Dissen, ad Dem. Let not men be so far the dupes of self-deception as to reckon themselves Christians, while they are unchanged in heart and life. The pain, shame, weariness, and blood awaiting Him, the tempter ingeniously contrasts with the shorter road to glory which he would have Him to take. To the man who is not transformed by the renewal of his intellect this proving—which is no merely theoretical business of reflection, but is the critical practice of the whole inner life—forms no part of the activity of conscience. For the best supported and most relevant, reflected in Sanday and Headlam’s paraphrase (“do not adopt the external and fleeting fashion of this world, but be ye transformed in your inmost nature”), see Lightfoot on Philippians 2:7, or Gifford on the same passage (The Incarnation, pp. "The first verse calls for an explicit act; the second commands a resultant lifelong process. You may wrap a man up in the swaddling bands of specific precepts until you can scarcely see him, and he cannot move, and you have not done a bit of good. They will become essential verses in your heart and mind. We can enjoy no happiness here nor be capable of happiness hereafter (Hebrews 12:14; 1 Corinthians 2:14). Nonconformity to the world.—We must be careful not to fall into the error of disparaging this world. The key to making this change is the "mind," the part of humanity that controls our attitudes, thoughts, feelings, and actions ( Ephesians 4:22-23). Note the reasons for this examination. (Whiteside p. 249). Only "renewed minds" are those who can truly appreciate the will of God, only renewed minds see it as "good, acceptable and perfect". If the person be metamorphosed, as the word originally implies, from a state of nature to a conformity with Christ, it will certainly appear, and the state of the heart will be evident from the life. 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. Intellect governs the body; conscience governs the intellect; moral rectitude governs the conscience. Amen.” Christ did not die to leave us to be conformed to this present evil age, but to rescue us from it, so that our lives would glorify God. Just as when you take away disturbing masses of metal from near a compass, it trembles to its true point, so when, by the discipline of which I have been speaking, there are swept away from either side of us the things that would perturb our judgment, there comes, as blessing and reward, a clear insight into that which it is our duty to do. We need that which delivers man from sensual illusion and the lust of immediate attainment by fixing his eyes upon the glory of spiritual rectitude, the victory of postponement, and the gain of sacrifice. You may prove this by telling an average man of his faults and watching the result. I. Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind: q.d. So, religiously, a man's environment has the same and even more forcible effect upon him. That is the world’s way; but there is a way which is not the way of the world. The foundation for Christian living. Christ in us, if we are true to Him, will make us more ourselves, and yet new creatures in Christ Jesus. Thus, Ephesians 4:22-25, the new man is described as renewed in the spirit of his mind; that is, in all his faculties; in his affections and will, as well as in his understanding: in consequence whereof his whole conduct becomes holy and virtuous. Sermon Bible Commentary. See on Romans 7:23. "Commentary on Romans 12:2". It is not strictly a recovery of that which had been lost. Next follow specific duties, chiefly social; beginning with Humility, the chiefest of all the graces - but here with special reference to spiritual gifts. Expository Notes with Practical Observations on the New Testament. "Commentary on Romans 12:2". τ. ν. ὑ΄ῶν. It is a waste of moral strength where there is so much real sin and ruin in the world to expend our efforts on incidental trifles. 1983-1999. I. 2 Corinthians 4:16 gives the closest parallel, cf. You have higher things to mind (Colossians 3:1-3; Philippians 3:20). The Expositor's Greek Testament. All other rights reserved. The phrase always implies contrast to ὁ αἰὼν ὁ μέλλων, even when the latter is not expressed. III. There is a vast difference between the noble steamship that holds its way, trembling the waves and challenging the gale, because it has an inward force, and the poor vessel whose iron heart stands still, and that wallows the sport and victim of the relentless sea. https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/tbi/romans-12.html. A heart in love with the fashions and follies of the world is ill-suited to appreciate the arguments for humility, prayer, etc. τῷ αἰῶνι τούτῳ. He who conquered death will not let death conquer you.—Albert Lee. I beseech you therefore--in view of all that has been advanced in the foregoing part of this Epistle. (F. D. Maurice, M.A. This was the nonconformity which Christ exhibited and He implored on behalf of His disciples. τ. ν. ὑ. here. The word םןץ ͂ ע, mind, is used as it is here, frequently in the New Testament, Romans 1:28; Ephesians 4:17, Ephesians 4:23; Colossians 2:18, etc. Through heredity and environment both, man has a natural bent toward evil, thus giving Satan an advantage in seizing control of the person, which always happens shortly after man reaches an accountable age; but every soul ever born yet retains enough of the image of God within to enable the soul to dethrone the evil one and enthrone the rightful Occupant. Good — The will of God is here distinguished as good; because, however much the mind may be opposed to it, and how much soever we may think that it curtails our pleasures, and mars our enjoyments, obedience to God conduces to our happiness. (P. That is good which promotes the honor of God and the interests of his universe.Perfect - Free from defect, stain, or injury. read them in the infinitive. 1851. This is the spirit of the world, a thing in my heart and yours to be struggled against, not so much in the case of others as in the silent battle done within our own souls. Observe how largely men are influenced by excitement. “With me it is a small thing to be judged of man’s judgment. And be not conformed … - The word rendered “conformed” properly means to put on the form, fashion, or appearance of another. As it is moved by the spirit or by the flesh it develops or degenerates; cf. It is the lively presence and ruling power of the positive element that will alone effectually keep out of the heart the negative one. Acceptable, ευαρεστον, well pleasing to and well received by every mind that is renewed and transformed. Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary. . Let it not be a mere external conformity, but let it have its seat in the spirit. Thus is the Christian transformed, not in respect of his life only, but in the spirit of his mind; and therefore can declare from experience, III. “To be conformed to this world” is to act as other men do, heathen who know not God; in opposition to this the Apostle exhorts his readers to undergo that total change which will bring them more into accordance with the will of God. The Christian is not to copy the fleeting fashions of the present time, but to be wholly transfigured in view of that higher mode of existence, in strict accordance with God’s will, that he has chosen. As a practical matter, what is God’s will in our particular circumstances is determined by the renewed mind prayerfully seeking what is good and well-pleasing and perfect. Be practically spiritual.—The world, the existing generation, is essentially materialistic; the body rules the spirit. 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