Romans Chapter 12 · Verse 2

Authorized King James Version

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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.

Original Language Analysis

καὶ And G2532
καὶ And
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 1 of 28
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
μὴ not G3361
μὴ not
Strong's: G3361
Word #: 2 of 28
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
συσχηματίζεσθε be G4964
συσχηματίζεσθε be
Strong's: G4964
Word #: 3 of 28
to fashion alike, i.e., conform to the same pattern (figuratively)
τῷ G3588
τῷ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 4 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αἰῶνι world G165
αἰῶνι world
Strong's: G165
Word #: 5 of 28
properly, an age; by extension, perpetuity (also past); by implication, the world; specially (jewish) a messianic period (present or future)
τούτῳ to this G5129
τούτῳ to this
Strong's: G5129
Word #: 6 of 28
to (in, with or by) this (person or thing)
ἀλλὰ but G235
ἀλλὰ but
Strong's: G235
Word #: 7 of 28
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
μεταμορφοῦσθε be ye transformed G3339
μεταμορφοῦσθε be ye transformed
Strong's: G3339
Word #: 8 of 28
to transform (literally or figuratively, "metamorphose")
τῇ G3588
τῇ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 9 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀνακαινώσει by the renewing G342
ἀνακαινώσει by the renewing
Strong's: G342
Word #: 10 of 28
renovation
τοῦ G3588
τοῦ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 11 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
νοός mind G3563
νοός mind
Strong's: G3563
Word #: 12 of 28
the intellect, i.e., mind (divine or human; in thought, feeling, or will); by implication, meaning
ὑμῶν, of your G5216
ὑμῶν, of your
Strong's: G5216
Word #: 13 of 28
of (from or concerning) you
εἰς that G1519
εἰς that
Strong's: G1519
Word #: 14 of 28
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὸ G3588
τὸ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 15 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
δοκιμάζειν may prove G1381
δοκιμάζειν may prove
Strong's: G1381
Word #: 16 of 28
to test (literally or figuratively); by implication, to approve
ὑμᾶς ye G5209
ὑμᾶς ye
Strong's: G5209
Word #: 17 of 28
you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)
τί what G5101
τί what
Strong's: G5101
Word #: 18 of 28
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
τὸ G3588
τὸ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 19 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θέλημα will G2307
θέλημα will
Strong's: G2307
Word #: 20 of 28
a determination (properly, the thing), i.e., (actively) choice (specially, purpose, decree; abstractly, volition) or (passively) inclination
τοῦ G3588
τοῦ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 21 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεοῦ of God G2316
θεοῦ of God
Strong's: G2316
Word #: 22 of 28
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
τὸ G3588
τὸ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 23 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀγαθὸν is that good G18
ἀγαθὸν is that good
Strong's: G18
Word #: 24 of 28
"good" (in any sense, often as noun)
καὶ And G2532
καὶ And
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 25 of 28
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
εὐάρεστον acceptable G2101
εὐάρεστον acceptable
Strong's: G2101
Word #: 26 of 28
fully agreeable
καὶ And G2532
καὶ And
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 27 of 28
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τέλειον perfect G5046
τέλειον perfect
Strong's: G5046
Word #: 28 of 28
complete (in various applications of labor, growth, mental and moral character, etc.); neuter (as noun, with g3588) completeness

Analysis & Commentary

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. The command be not conformed (μὴ συσχηματίζεσθε, mē syschēmatizesthe) means 'stop letting yourselves be pressed into the world's mold'—the present imperative suggests ongoing resistance. This world (τῷ αἰῶνι τούτῳ, tō aiōni toutō) refers to the present evil age, the system of values opposed to God. In contrast, be ye transformed (μεταμορφοῦσθε, metamorphousthe) is the verb from which we get 'metamorphosis'—the same word used at Christ's transfiguration (Matthew 17:2). This is passive voice: transformation is God's work in us, not self-improvement.

The means of transformation is the renewing of your mind (τῇ ἀνακαινώσει τοῦ νοός, tē anakainōsei tou noos)—Christian discipleship involves radical intellectual reorientation, learning to think God's thoughts after him through Scripture. The result is that believers can prove (δοκιμάζειν, dokimazein, 'test and approve') God's will, which Paul describes with three adjectives: good (beneficial), acceptable (pleasing), and perfect (complete, mature). Romans 12:1-2 forms the thesis statement for Paul's ethics: total consecration and mental transformation enable discernment of God's will.

Historical Context

First-century Rome was the center of pagan culture, with emperor worship, polytheism, gladiatorial games, and sexual immorality woven into daily life. Christians faced constant pressure to conform—attending banquets with meat offered to idols, participating in trade guilds with pagan rituals, navigating imperial loyalty oaths. Paul's call for mental renewal addressed believers who had been shaped by Greco-Roman philosophical categories, Jewish legalism, or syncretistic religion before conversion.

Questions for Reflection