Teks -- Romans 12:2 (NET)

12:2 Do not be conformed to this present world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may test and approve what is the will of God– what is good and well-pleasing and perfect.

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Robertson: Rom 12:2 - Be not fashioned

Be not fashioned ( mē sunschēmatizesthe ).

Present passive imperative with mē , stop being fashioned or do not have the habit of being fashioned. Late Greek verb suschēmatizō , to conform to another’ s pattern (1Co 7:31; Phi 2:7.). In N.T. only here and 1Pe 1:14.

Robertson: Rom 12:2 - According to this world

According to this world ( tōi aiōni toutōi ).

Associative instrumental case. Do not take this age as your fashion plate.

Robertson: Rom 12:2 - Be ye transformed

Be ye transformed ( metamorphousthe ).

Present passive imperative of metamorphoō , another late verb, to transfigure as in Mat 17:2 (Mar 9:2); 2Co 3:18, which see. On the distinction between schēma and morphē , see note on Phi 2:8. There must be a radical change in the inner man for one to live rightly in this evil age, "by the renewing of your mind"(tēi anakainōsei tou noos ). Instrumental case. The new birth, the new mind, the new (kainos ) man.

Robertson: Rom 12:2 - That ye may prove

That ye may prove ( eis to dokimazein ).

Infinitive of purpose with eis to , "to test"what is God’ s will, "the good and acceptable and perfect"(to agathon kai euareston kai teleion ).

Vincent: Rom 12:2 - Conformed - transformed

Conformed - transformed ( συσχηματίζεσθε - μεταμορφοῦσθε ).

See on was transfigured , Mat 17:2. For conformed to , Rev., correctly, fashioned according to .

Vincent: Rom 12:2 - Mind

Mind ( νοός )

See on Rom 7:23. Agreeing with reasonable service .

Vincent: Rom 12:2 - That good and acceptable and perfect will

That good and acceptable and perfect will

Better to render the three adjectives as appositional. " May prove what is the will of God, what is good," etc. The other rendering compels us to take well-pleasing in the sense of agreeable to men .

Wesley: Rom 12:2 - And be not conformed

Neither in judgment, spirit, nor behaviour.

Wesley: Rom 12:2 - To this world

Which, neglecting the will of God, entirely follows its own.

Wesley: Rom 12:2 - That ye may prove

Know by sure trial; which is easily done by him who has thus presented himself to God. What is that 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 natures.

JFB: Rom 12:2 - And be ye not conformed to this world

Compare Eph 2:2; Gal 1:4, Greek.

JFB: Rom 12:2 - but be ye transformed

Or, "transfigured" (as in Mat 17:2; and 2Co 3:18, Greek).

JFB: Rom 12:2 - by the renewing of your mind

Not by a mere outward disconformity to the ungodly world, many of whose actions in themselves may be virtuous and praiseworthy; but by such an inward spiritual transformation as makes the whole life new--new in its motives and ends, even where the actions differ in nothing from those of the world--new, considered as a whole, and in such a sense as to be wholly unattainable save through the constraining power of the love of Christ.

JFB: Rom 12:2 - that ye may prove

That is, experimentally. (On the word "experience" see on Rom 5:4, and compare 1Th 5:10, where the sentiment is the same).

JFB: Rom 12:2 - what is that

"the"

JFB: Rom 12:2 - good and acceptable

"well-pleasing"

JFB: Rom 12:2 - and perfect, will of God

We prefer this rendering (with CALVIN) to that which many able critics [THOLUCK, MEYER, DE WETTE, FRITZSCHE, PHILIPPI, ALFORD, HODGE] adopt--"that ye may prove," or "discern the will of God, [even] what is good, and acceptable, and perfect." God's will is "good," as it demands only what is essentially and unchangeably good (Rom 7:10); it is "well pleasing," in contrast with all that is arbitrary, as demanding only what God has eternal complacency in (compare Mic 6:8, with Jer 9:24); and it is "perfect," as it required nothing else than the perfection of God's reasonable creature, who, in proportion as he attains to it, reflects God's own perfection. Such then is the great general duty of the redeemed--SELF-CONSECRATION, in our whole spirit and soul and body to Him who hath called us into the fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ. Next follow specific duties, chiefly social; beginning with Humility, the chiefest of all the graces--but here with special reference to spiritual gifts.

Clarke: Rom 12:2 - And be not conformed to this world

And be not conformed to this world - By this world, αιωνι τουτῳ, may be understood that present state of things both among the Jews and Gentiles; the customs and fashions of the people who then lived, the Gentiles particularly, who had neither the power nor the form of godliness; though some think that the Jewish economy, frequently termed עולם הזה olam hazzeh , this world, this peculiar state of things, is alone intended. And the apostle warns them against reviving usages that Christ had abolished: this exhortation still continues in full force. The world that now is - This present state of things, is as much opposed to the spirit of genuine Christianity as the world then was. Pride, luxury, vanity, extravagance in dress, and riotous living, prevail now, as they did then, and are as unworthy of a Christian’ s pursuit as they are injurious to his soul, and hateful in the sight of God

Clarke: Rom 12:2 - Be ye transformed

Be ye transformed - Μεταμορφουσθε, Be ye metamorphosed, transfigured, appear as new persons, and with new habits, as God has given you a new form of worship, so that ye serve in the newness of the spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter. The word implies a radical, thorough, and universal change, both outward and inward. Seneca, Epis. vi, shows us the force of this word when used in a moral sense. Sentio, says he, non Emendari me tantum, sed Transfigurari ; "I perceive myself not to be amended merely, but to be transformed:"i. e entirely renewed

Clarke: Rom 12:2 - By the renewing of your mind

By the renewing of your mind - Let the inward change produce the outward. Where the spirit, the temper, and disposition of the mind, Eph 4:23, are not renewed, an outward change is of but little worth, and but of short standing

Clarke: Rom 12:2 - That ye may prove

That ye may prove - Εις το δοκιμαζειν, That ye may have practical proof and experimental knowledge of, the will of God - of his purpose and determination, which is good in itself; infinitely so. Acceptable, ευαρεστον, well pleasing to and well received by every mind that is renewed and transformed

Clarke: Rom 12:2 - And perfect

And perfect - Τελειον, Finished and complete: when the mind is renewed, and the whole life changed, then the will of God is perfectly fulfilled; for this is its grand design in reference to every human being

These words are supposed by Schoettgen to refer entirely to the Jewish law. The Christians were to renounce this world - the Jewish state of things; to be transformed, by having their minds enlightened in the pure and simple Christian worship, that they might prove the grand characteristic difference between the two covenants: the latter being good in opposition to the statutes which were not good, Eze 20:25; acceptable, in opposition to those sacrifices and offerings which God would not accept, as it is written, Psa 40:6-8; and perfect, in opposition to that system which was imperfect, and which made nothing perfect, and was only the shadow of good things to come. There are both ingenuity and probability in this view of the subject.

Calvin: Rom 12:2 - And conform ye not to this world, etc // That ye may prove,

2.And conform ye not to this world, etc The term world has several significations, but here it means the sentiments and the morals of men; to which, not without cause, he forbids us to conform. For since the whole world lies in wickedness, it behooves us to put off whatever we have of the old man, if we would really put on Christ: and to remove all doubt, he explains what he means, by stating what is of a contrary nature; for he bids us to be transformed into a newness of mind. These kinds of contrast are common in Scripture; and thus a subject is more clearly set forth.

Now attend here, and see what kind of renovation is required from us: It is not that of the flesh only, or of the inferior part of the soul, as the Sorbonists explain this word; but of the mind, which is the most excellent part of us, and to which philosophers ascribe the supremacy; for they call it ἡγεμονικὸν, the leading power; and reason is imagined to be a most wise queen. But Paul pulls her down from her throne, and so reduces her to nothing by teaching us that we must be renewed in mind. For how much soever we may flatter ourselves, that declaration of Christ is still true, — that every man must be born again, who would enter into the kingdom of God; for in mind and heart we are altogether alienated from the righteousness of God.

That ye may prove, ³⁸⁰ etc. Here you have the purpose for which we must put on a new mind, — that bidding adieu to our own counsels and desires, and those of all men, we may be attentive to the only will of God, the knowledge of which is true wisdom. But if the renovation of our mind is necessary, in order that we may prove what is the will of God, it is hence evident how opposed it is to God.

The epithets which are added are intended for the purpose of recommending God’s will, that we may seek to know it with greater alacrity: and in order to constrain our perverseness, it is indeed necessary that the true glory of justice and perfection should be ascribed to the will of God. The world persuades itself that those works which it has devised are good; Paul exclaims, that what is good and right must be ascertained from God’s commandments. The world praises itself, and takes delight in its own inventions; but Paul affirms, that nothing pleases God except what he has commanded. The world, in order to find perfection, slides from the word of God into its own devices; Paul, by fixing perfection in the will of God, shows, that if any one passes over that mark he is deluded by a false imagination.

Defender: Rom 12:2 - to this world

We are predestined ultimately to be "conformed to the image of (God's) Son" (Rom 8:29); therefore it is eminently logical that we should not be conformed to this world, which is at "enmity with God" (Jam 4:4, see also 1Jo 2:15).

Defender: Rom 12:2 - renewing of your mind

Our "renewed minds" were once "blinded" by the "god of this world," Satan (2Co 4:4). Now they should be, and can be, in harmony with and guided by "the mind of Christ" (1Co 2:16).

Defender: Rom 12:2 - prove

Here is the key to knowing God's will."

TSK: Rom 12:2 - be not // be ye // prove // good

be not : Exo 23:2; Lev 18:29, Lev 18:30; Deu 18:9-14; Joh 7:7, Joh 14:30, Joh 15:19, Joh 17:14; 1Co 3:19; 2Co 4:4, 2Co 6:14-17; Gal 1:4; Eph 2:2, Eph 4:17-20; Jam 1:27, Jam 4:4; 1Pe 1:14, 1Pe 1:18, 1Pe 4:2; 2Pe 1:4, 2Pe 2:20; 1Jo 2:15-17, 1Jo 3:13, 1Jo 4:4, 1Jo 4:5, 1Jo 5:19; Rev 12:9, Rev 13:8

be ye : Rom 13:14; Psa 51:10; Eze 18:31, Eze 36:26; 2Co 5:17; Eph 1:18, Eph 4:22-24; Col 1:21, Col 1:22, Col 3:10; Tit 3:5

prove : Rom 12:1; Psa 34:8; Eph 5:10,Eph 5:17; 1Pe 2:3

good : Rom 12:1, Rom 7:12, Rom 7:14, Rom 7:22; Psa 19:7-11, Psa 119:47, Psa 119:48, Psa 119:72, Psa 119:97, Psa 119:103, Psa 119:128, Psa 119:174; Pro 3:1-4; Pro 3:13-18; Gal 5:22-23; Eph 5:9; Col 4:12; 1Th 4:3; 2Ti 3:16, 2Ti 3:17

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Poole: Rom 12:2 - Be not conformed to this world // Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind // That ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God

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 Rom 13:13 Eph 4:18,19 1Pe 4:3 . You have somewhat the like counsel, Exo 23:2 1Pe 1:14 .

Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind: q.d. Be you regenerated, and changed in your whole man; beginning at the mind, by which the Spirit of God worketh upon the inferior faculties of the soul: see Eph 4:23 .

That ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God: by prove, understand discerning: by the will of God, his revealed will in his word; and so it best accords with the reasonable service, spoken of Rom 12:1 , and with the scope of the text itself; which is, to exhort unto holiness and obedience, which is according to the rule of the word. He annexeth three adjuncts to the will or word of God: it is good; revealed only for our benefit. It is acceptable; i.e. by obedience thereunto we shall be accepted. It is perfect, and the observance thereof will make us so too, 2Ti 3:17 . There are different readings of these words, but all to the same sense. Some thus, that you may prove the will of God, which to do, is good, acceptable, and perfect. Others thus, that you may prove what the will of God is, and what is good, acceptable, and perfect.

Haydock: Rom 12:2

Take care, lest you imitate the practices of worldlings. Let your heart, your ambition, carry you to heaven: ever despise those things which the world admires, that every one may see by your actions that you are not of the society of worldlings, and have neither regard nor friendship for them. (Calmet) ---

Transform yourselves into new men, by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern on all occasions, what is most perfect, most pleasing and acceptable to God. (Bible de Vence)

Gill: Rom 12:2 - 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

And be not conformed to this world,.... By this world is meant, either the Mosaic dispensation, and Jewish church state, so called in opposition to עולם הבא, "the world to come", the Gospel dispensation; in which there were a worldly sanctuary, and the rites and ceremonies of which are styled the rudiments and elements of the world; to which believers in the present state are by no means to conform, there being sacrifices and ordinances of another nature, it is the will of God they should observe and attend unto: or else the men of the world are designed, carnal and unregenerate men, among whom they formerly had their conversation, from among whom they were chosen, called, and separated, and who lie and live in wickedness, and therefore should not be conformed unto them: which is to be understood, not in a civil sense of conformity to them in garb and apparel, provided that pride and luxury are guarded against, and decency and sobriety observed, and the different abilities of persons and stations in life are attended to; or to any other civil usages and customs which are not contrary to natural and revealed religion; but of a conformity in a moral sense to the evil manners of men, to walk vainly, as other Gentiles do, to go into the same excess of riot with them; for this is contrary both to the principle and doctrine of grace, which teach men to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts: and of a compliance with the men of the world in a religious sense, by joining with them in acts of idolatry, superstition, and will worship, and in anything that is contrary to the order, ordinances, and truths of the Gospel.

But be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind; which regards not the first work of conversion and renovation; for in this sense these persons were transformed, metamorphosed, changed, and renewed already; but the after progress and carrying on the work of renovation, the renewing of them day by day in the spirit of their minds; see Eph 4:23; which believers should be desirous of, and pray for, and make use of those means which the Spirit of God owns for this purpose, attending to the spiritual exercises of religion, as reading, meditation, prayer, conference, the ministration of the word and ordinances, which is the reverse of conformity to the world: and the end to be attained hereby is,

that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God; by which is meant not the secret will of God, which cannot be searched into, proved, and known, till time and facts discover it: but the revealed will of God, both in the law, as in the hands of Christ, which contains nothing but what is good; and which when done in faith, from a principle of love, and to the glory of God, is acceptable through Christ; and is perfect as a law of liberty, and rule of walk and conversation; and which is to be proved and approved of by all the saints, who delight in it after the inward man: and also that which is contained in the Gospel; as that all that the Father had given to Christ should be redeemed by him, that these should be sanctified, and persevere to the end, and be glorified; all which is the good will of God, an acceptable saying to sensible sinners, and such a scheme of salvation as is perfect and complete, and needs nothing to be added to it; and is, by such who are daily renewed in the spirit of their minds, more and more proved, tried, discerned, and approved of, even by all such who have their spiritual senses exercised to discern things that differ.