# Renew Mind Romans 12.1-2 --- - All verse references are to Romans (BSB) unless otherwise noted. --- ## Background - The first two verses in [[Romans_12|Romans 12]] have always affected me in a good way. They are my go-to verses when I am struggling with thinking things that are not God honoring. I am pretty sure I have other notes on these verses, but with my current system, I can't find them. {12.1-2} - I found one of the previous notes: [[1590845407_Romans_12.1-2|Romans 12.1-2]]. - It is not complete and uses an older format. - Nevertheless, I'll upload it as is. ## Passage - 1 Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. - 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the [[Renew_Mind|renewing of your mind]]. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. - {Romans 12.1-2 (BSB)} ## Therefore - The first word in this passage is, "therefore", [[G3767]]. Usually, it is very important to figure out what / why the "therefore" is "there for". As I was working on it, I found [[Romans_11|Romans 11.32]] and am really confused by it. The first part of the BSB says, "For God has consigned everyone to disobedience". {11.32, 12.1} - The various translations of the phrase include: - God has bound everyone over to disobedience -- NIV - God has imprisoned everyone (all) in disobedience -- NLT, AmpB, CSB - God has consigned all to disobedience -- ESV, BSB, NET - God has bound up all in disobedience -- BLB - God hath concluded them all in unbelief -- KJV - God has shut up all in disobedience -- NASB, WEB - God has made all people prisoners of disobedience -- GNT - God has locked all people in the prison of their own disobedience -- ISV - [[G4788|Consigned]] - means to: to shut together, enclose, make subject to - [[G0543|Disobedience]] - means: "willful unbelief, obstinacy, disobedience" - The HWS says about this word: - 543 apeítheia (from [[G0001]] /A "not" and [[G3982]] /peíthō, "persuaded") – properly, someone not persuaded, referring to their willful unbelief, i.e. the refusal to be convinced by God's voice. This is the core-meaning of the entire word-family: [[G0543]] (apeítheia), [[G0544]] (apeithéō), [[G0545]] (apeithḗs). All these cognates focus on man's decision to reject God's offers of faith, i.e. refusal to be persuaded in their heart concerning obeying His will (Word). - Paul finished the verse by saying that the reason God consigned everyone to disobedience is "so that He may have [[G1653|mercy]] on everyone." I am guessing that it is the last part of this verse that Paul is referring to in the "therefore" in **Romans 12.1**. ## I urge you - After the "therefore", Paul continues **verse 1** with "[[G3870|I urge you]]". This is a strong word and perhaps a better translation is "I implore" or "I beg" or "I exhort". {12.1} ## brothers - The next key word is "[[G0080|brothers]]". Paul is addressing fellow Christians in this passage. For that matter, the whole letter is addressed to the saints in Rome {1.7} ## on account of - Despite memorizing these verses and meditating on them for years, it wasn't until today, that I noticed the preposition "[[G1223|on account of (BSB) // through (BLB)]]" connecting the mercies / compassions of God with presenting our bodies as a living sacrifice. - Even though most of the usual translations don't say "through", it does seem to be a better literal translation. - in view of -- NIV, CSB - because of -- NLT - by the -- ESV, KJV, NASB, NET, WEB - on account of -- BSB - through - BLB - To me, there is a big difference between "because of" and "through" in this verse. - If it means "because of", then I need to do something (offer my body) because of something God did (give me compassion) - On the other hand, if it means "through", then I think Paul is saying that it is the "compassions of God" that enable me to "present my body". It becomes a partnership. - Either way, the final outcome is the same, "offering my body to God" - But, the method / process looks different. - Since I seem to be having trouble "presenting my body as a living sacrifice" then maybe it is because I am doing it wrong ## God's mercy - My thoughts about mercy in [[Romans_11|Romans 11.32]] above, notwithstanding, the words translated in the BSB as "mercy" in **verse 11.32** and **12.1** are different Greek words - In **verse 11.32**, Paul uses "[[G1653|eleeó]]". All but two of the Bible Hub translations say "mercy" - In **verse 12.1**, Paul uses, "[[G3628|oiktirmos]]". Although almost all the Bible Hub translations say "mercy / mercies" a better literal translation is "compassion" ## to offer - I always thought the verse said to "offer" my body ... However, the Greek word "[[G3936|paristémi]]" means "to present" or "to place beside". This again sounds like a partnership. {12.1} ## your bodies - [[G4983|Bodies]] is plural, so Paul is addressing the church and not individuals ## as living sacrifices - The HWS says that a [[G2378|"sacrifice"]] must be offered on God's terms ## holy - If Paul is exhorting us to present our bodies as [[G0040|holy]] to God, then our bodies, in general, can't be evil but "holy"! {1} - On one hand, it would seem that a body steeped in sin can't be offered to God. - On the other hand, it is impossible for us to "cover" our sin. If we are honest, all us have bodies covered with sin. So, either, we don't present our bodies to God, or we surrender to [[Jesus]]' [[Blood]] and [[Trust]] that He is covering us. - I didn't start out to do a study on [[Naked|naked]] or [[NAU]], but I kinda just walked into it by accident in this paragraph. From a NAU point of view - It is impossible and arguably sinful to attempt to "cover" my sin on my own. - It is only through the blood of Jesus that my sin is "covered" - For anyone to suggest that we need textile clothes to "cover our shame" is counter Biblical. ## and pleasing to God - When we offer our bodies, we are to do it in a manner that is [[G2101|pleasing (BSB)]] to God. - Some additional definitions include: - well-pleasing (especially to God) - acceptable - well-pleasing (gratifying) because fully acceptable - I never noticed before that [[G2101|pleasing (euareston)]] is one of the three adjectives describing the will of God in **verse 2**. ## which is your spiritual service of worship - The last phrase in **verse 1** "spiritual service of worship" (BSB) is translated several different ways among the usual translations. Because of the wide variation, I am guessing the Greek is difficult to translate. The translations include: - true and proper worship -- NIV - truly the way to worship him -- NLT - spiritual worship -- ESV - spiritual service of worship -- BSB - reasonable service -- BLB, KJV, NET - spiritual service of worship -- NASB - true worship -- CSB - spiritual service -- WEB - The last phrase "spiritual service of worship" comes from two Greek words - Spiritual (BSB), [[G3050|logikēn]] - There are only two occurrences. The other is [[1_Peter_02|1 Peter 2.2]]. Peter exhorts the readers to "crave pure *spiritual* milk" - The origin is [[G3056|logos]] - The literal meaning is "a word (as embodying an idea), a statement, a speech" - Jesus is called the "Word" - Service of worship (BSB), [[G2999|latreian]] - This Greek word means a service rendered to God - The word comes from [[G3000|latreuó]] which means a "technical" service - So, it could be said that the service rendered to God is from a skilled person - Cross references for this phrase include: - [[1_Peter_02|1 Peter 2.5]] - [[Hebrews_13|Hebrews 13.15-16]] - tl;dr -- I am not sure what Paul is communicating through this phrase ## Do not be conformed to this world ### Do not be conformed - In **verse 2**, Paul starts off by saying "Do not be [[Conform_to_the_World|conformed to this world]] (BSB). The various usual translations include: - Do not conform to the pattern of this world -- NIV - Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world -- NLT - Do not be conformed to this world -- ESV, BSB, KJV, NASB, WEB - And do not be conformed to this age -- BLB, CSB - Do not be conformed to this present world -- NET - Strangely, I think the NIV has the better translation of "[[G4964|conformed]]" (BSB). - The English word comes from two Greek words - [[G3361|mē]] which means "not" - [[G4964|syschēmatizesthe]] which is a verb meaning "to conform" - The origin is from [[G4862|sun]] and schématizó (to assume a certain form, figure) - " [[G4862|sun]]" is a preposition. The NASB most often translates it as "along" or 'accompany' - schématizó - Definition: to assume a certain form, figure - doesn't occur in the Bible. - If the NASB word origin is correct, then 'syschēmatizesthe' could / should be translated as accompany/along with/associate with a certain form or figure. - In our society today, everyone idolizes certain pubic figures and wants to be like them. Social media even has paid positions called "influencer". I think Paul is saying, "don't be like those influencers". - Here is the Wikipedia definition of an "internet celebrity or influencer" as of 2022.11.05: - An Internet celebrity (also known as a social media influencer, social media personality, internet personality, or simply influencer) is a celebrity who has acquired or developed their fame and notability through the Internet. The rise of social media has helped people increase their outreach to a global audience. Today, popular influencers are found on popular online platforms such as Twitch, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat, Discord, Twitter, Facebook, VSCO, Reddit, WeChat, QQ, and TikTok. - tl;dr: I think a good definition of [[G4964]] is: "to be like the popular influencers" ### to this world - world ([[G0165|aiōni]]) - My connotation of "world" is the physical earth. However, the Greek word really refers to the temporal. - So, "age" or "era" are better translations. ## but be transformed - [[G3339|be transformed (metamorphousthe)]] (BSB) - Comes from [[G3326|meta]] and [[G3445|morphoó]] - [[G3326|meta]] - with, among, after - [[G3445|morphoó]] - to form - be transformed" is as good a definition as I can find. Another word which could be used is "be metamorphized" ## by the renewing - [[G0342|renewing (anakainōsei)]] (BSB) - The connotation I have of the word "renew", is "to make new again". After studying the word, I think my interpretation is pretty good. - Perhaps, the renewal is related to making my mind like that of Adam before he sinned. If it isn't like that, then I don't know to what state my mind is being "re-newed" - Assuming my thought about Adam's mind is correct, then the state God wants my mind to get to is one that didn't "know good and evil". On one hand, I find it hard to believe that I will "forget" all the evil in the world. On the other hand, I can imagine that it is possible for a human to be so focused on God that the evil of the world is down in the noise. ## mind - [[Mind]] (BSB) in **verse 12.2** is a different Greek word than used in the Great Commandment. - [[G3563|Mind (noos)]] in **Romans 12.2** is: - the God-given capacity of each person to think (reason) - mental capacity to exercise reflective thinking - the organ of receiving God's thoughts, through faith - On the other hand, the great Commandment "mind" in [[Matthew_22|Matthew 22.37]] and [[Mark_12|Mark 12.30]] is "[[G1271|dianoia]]" and is more about: - critical thinking - thorough reasoning - full-breadth reasoning - Compare with [[Great_Commandment_Study|Great Commandment Bible Study]] - In summary - the word used in Romans seems to be more about faith - the renewing of my mind is about partnering with God as He changes my mind to be like His - This is similar to [[1_Corinthians_02|1 Corinthians 2.16]] were Paul says "we have the mind of Christ" ## Then - [[G1519|then (eis)]] (BSB) - Although most of the translations say something like the BSB, I don't think they are correct in communicating the real meaning of this passage. - Best I can tell, "then" is an adverb. - According to Merriam-Webster, one of its meanings is "as a necessary consequence" - According to the Cambridge Dictionary, one of then's definitions is "in that case" - On the other hand, the Greek word used is a preposition. - I really don't understand why there is a preposition here instead of a conjunction or the adverb. However, I do think the result is different. - I talked with the church about this, but I don't remember the conversation well. I may have the results backwards. Regardless, everyone agreed that depending upon how "eis" is interpreted changes the emphasis / meaning of the passage - For example, if the correct translation is "then", Paul seems to be setting up an "if-then" statement - If ==> my mind is renewed - Then ==> I will be able to test and approve ... - The result would be ??? an emphasis on my mind being renewed ??? - 2022.11.03 I don't understand what I wrote a few months ago - On the other hand, if Paul meant for the word to be a preposition, then he may be communicating that the important thing is "test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God" ## you will be able to test and approve - The [[G1381|proving / testing]] {[[G1381a]]} done in **verse 12.2** refers to testing that is done to prove something is good/ acceptable/ real/ genuine. It isn't done to show its bad. Compare with [[G1384|"dokimos" ]], its word origin {2} ## what is the good, pleasing and perfect ### what is the good - The Bible Hub usage for [[G0018|good(agathon)]] is: - intrinsically [[Good|good]] - good in nature - good whether it be seen to be so or not, the widest and most colorless of all words with this meaning - The HWS says: - [[G0018]] agathós – inherently (intrinsically) good; as to the believer, [[G0018]] (agathós) describes what originates from God and is empowered by Him in their life, through faith. - If the HWS is correct, then the [[Faith|topic of faith]] comes up again. This seems to add weight to the idea that these two verses depend on faith ### pleasing - [[G2101|pleasing (euareston)]] in **verse 2** is the same Greek word used in **verse 1** where Paul is urging us to offer our bodies - [[#and pleasing to God|See my notes above]] ### and perfect - "Perfect" is the Greek word [[G5046|teleion]] - Some definitions of [[G5046|teleion]]: - having reached its end - complete in all its parts - perfect - full grown - of full age - completeness of Christian character - One of the HWS notes is interesting: mature (consummated) from going through the necessary stages to reach the end-goal, i.e. developed into a consummating completion by fulfilling the necessary process (spiritual journey) - It is easy to see how this word could be used to describe a mature Christian - I initially struggled to comprehend its use to describe God's will. However, upon further reflection and perhaps insight from the Holy Spirit, I can see the following: - On one hand God's will is a done deal and doesn't need "perfecting" - On the other hand, from our time-restricted point of view, His will is playing out creating mankind's history. So, once the end has come, His "will" will be perfected - If my thoughts above are correct, then if we do **verse 1**, then we will comprehend God's completed will ## will of God - "will" is the Greek word [[G2307|thelēma]] - some definitions of [[G2307|thelēma]] include: - will - an act of will - wishes - desires - some thoughts from HWS - from [[G2309|thélō]] - to [[Desire|desire]], wish - properly, a desire (wish), often referring to God's "preferred-will," i.e. His "best-offer" to people which can be accepted or rejected - Note the -ma suffix, focusing on the result hoped for with the particular desire (wish). - [[G2307|thélēma]] is nearly always used of God, referring to His preferred-will. Occasionally it is used of man ([[Luke_23|Luke 23.25]]; [[John_01|John 1.13]]) - There are at least two major camps with regard to God's will - It is set and immutable. Mankind is watching it play out from beginning to end - it is changeable. His will changes based man's decision - I lean mostly toward the first. However, I acknowledge that there are things I don't understand. It is possible that both are sort of correct and also possible that both are mostly wrong ## Summary - Based on the study above, here is my amplified paraphrase of these two verses: - Since all of us are us being bound up in disobedience, we are screwed without God's [[Mercy]] - In light of the infinite amount of compassion God has given us, Paul is begging / [[Exhort|exhorting]] us fellow Christians - to partner with God by presenting our [[Body|bodies]] (aka, the [[Church]] / [[Body_of_Christ|Body of Christ]]) as a living [[Sacrifice]] - This sacrificial partnership requires [[Faith]], which can only come from [[God]]. Furthermore, it is only through God's [[Compassion]] that the Church can offer it's body. - The offering we make to God must be on His terms, not ours. It must be different than the [[World]]; set apart by and for God and fully acceptable in His sight. - This offering by the Church is the way to [[Worship]] God. However, it won't be acceptable to God unless we do it in accordance with His [[Word]]. - So, what does it look like to worship God in this manner? - DON'T be like the people of this [[Generation]], especially the so called "social media influencers" - Do partner with God through faith and allow Him to metamorphized (like a caterpillar into a butterfly) our [[Mind|minds]] to be like His - The result / [[Promise]] of [[Partnership|partnering]] with God in this [[Transform|transformation]] is the ability to comprehend God's completed [[Desire]] for our [[Life|lives]]. We will [[Understand|understand]] how real and genuine it is. His plan is good, pleasing to Him and us and the perfect plan for our lives. ## Images - ![[241222_Romans_12.1-2.jpg]] - IMAGE: Renew Mind, courtesy of Grok!