John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 2. And be not conformed to this world , etc..] By this world is meant, either the Mosaic dispensation, and Jewish church state, so called in opposition to abh lw[ , 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 Ephesians 4:23 Corinthians 4:16); 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.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1, 2 - The apostle having closed the part of his epistle wherein he argues an proves various doctrines which are practically applied, here urge important duties from gospel principles. He entreated the Romans, a his brethren in Christ, by the mercies of God, to present their bodie as a living sacrifice to Him. This is a powerful appeal. We receiv from the Lord every day the fruits of his mercy. Let us rende ourselves; all we are, all we have, all we can do: and after all, what return is it for such very rich receivings? It is acceptable to God: reasonable service, which we are able and ready to give a reason for and which we understand. Conversion and sanctification are the renewin of the mind; a change, not of the substance, but of the qualities of the soul. The progress of sanctification, dying to sin more and more and living to righteousness more and more, is the carrying on thi renewing work, till it is perfected in glory. The great enemy to thi renewal is, conformity to this world. Take heed of forming plans for happiness, as though it lay in the things of this world, which soo pass away. Do not fall in with the customs of those who walk in the lusts of the flesh, and mind earthly things. The work of the Holy Ghos first begins in the understanding, and is carried on to the will affections, and conversation, till there is a change of the whole ma into the likeness of God, in knowledge, righteousness, and tru holiness. Thus, to be godly, is to give up ourselves to God.
Greek Textus Receptus
και 2532 CONJ μη 3361 PRT-N συσχηματιζεσθε 4964 5728 V-PEM-2P τω 3588 T-DSM αιωνι 165 N-DSM τουτω 5129 D-DSM αλλα 235 CONJ μεταμορφουσθε 3339 5744 V-PPM-2P τη 3588 T-DSF ανακαινωσει 342 N-DSF του 3588 T-GSM νοος 3563 N-GSM υμων 5216 P-2GP εις 1519 PREP το 3588 T-ASN δοκιμαζειν 1381 5721 V-PAN υμας 5209 P-2AP τι 5101 I-NSN το 3588 T-NSN θελημα 2307 N-NSN του 3588 T-GSM θεου 2316 N-GSM το 3588 T-NSN αγαθον 18 A-NSN και 2532 CONJ ευαρεστον 2101 A-NSN και 2532 CONJ τελειον 5046 A-NSN
Vincent's NT Word Studies
2. Conformed - transformed (suschmatizesqe - metamorfousqe).See on was transfigured, Matt. xvii. 2. For conformed to, Rev., correctly, fashioned according to.
Mind (noov). See on ch. vii. 23. Agreeing with reasonable service. 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.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
12:2 {Be not fashioned} (m sunschmatizesthe). Present passive imperative with me, stop being fashioned or do not have the habit of being fashioned. Late Greek verb suschmatiz", to conform to another's pattern (#1Co 7:31; Php 2:7f.). In N.T. only here and #1Pe 1:14. {According to this world} (twi aiwni toutwi). Associative instrumental case. Do not take this age as your fashion plate. {Be ye transformed} (metamorphousthe). Present passive imperative of metamorfow, another late verb, to transfigure as in #Mt 17:2 (#Mr 9:2); #2Co 3:18, which see. On the distinction between scema and morfe, see #Php 2:7. 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" (ti anakain"sei tou noos). Instrumental case. The new birth, the new mind, the new (kainos) man. {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 agaqon kai euareston kai teleion).
