NOTES ON ROMANS 12:1-2

These notes were compiled as follows:

1.  Underlined words in the verse indicate that the Greek or Hebrew word(s) require more than one English word in its or their translation.  Most of the phrases are from The Englishman’s Greek Concordance of the New Testament by George V. Wigram.  In some cases words were combined for convenience.

2.  The superscript number (¹) appearing beside the word(s) in the verse indicates Strong’s number for his Greek [G] or Hebrew [H] Dictionary. 

3.  The bracketed acronyms [S] at the end of the definition are from the following references used in this study:

[ASB] – THE ANNOTATED STUDY BIBLE

[B] – The Companion Bible and A Critical Lexicon and Concordance to the English and Greek New Testament by E. W. Bullinger

[C] – Cruden’s Unabridged Concordance by Alexander Cruden

[CW] – Crosswalk.com [either Greek Lexicon based on Thayer’s and Smith’s Bible Dictionary plus others]

[JFB] – Jameison-Faussett-Brown Commentary and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

[JG] – Gill’s Commentary by John Gill

[KWSB] – Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible by AMG

[MRV] – Word Studies in the New Testament by Marvin R. Vincent

[JW] – John Wesley’s Notes on the Bible

[N] – Nave’s Study Bible

[S] – Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible by James Strong

   [SS] – The Strongest Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible by James Strong Fully Revised and Corrected by John R.

[V] - An Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words by W. E. Vine

[W] – American Dictionary of the English Language – Noah Webster 1828

[WSD] – The Complete Word Study Dictionary – New Testament Edited by Spiros Zodhiates [and with occasional input from Strong’s Complete Word Study Concordance Expanded Edition also by AMG]

 [ZSB] – ZONDERMAN KJV STUDY BIBLE

 

Romans 12:1  I beseech³⁸⁷⁰ you⁵²⁰⁹ therefore,³⁷⁶⁷ brethren,⁸⁰ by¹²²³ the³⁵⁸⁸ mercies³⁶²⁸ of God,²³¹⁶ that ye present³⁹³⁶ your⁵²¹⁶ bodies⁴⁹⁸³ a living²¹⁹⁸ sacrifice,²³⁷⁸ holy,⁴⁰ acceptable²¹⁰¹ unto God,²³¹⁶ which is your⁵²¹⁶ reasonable³⁰⁵⁰ service.²⁹⁹⁹

I beseech:  From G3844 and G2564; to call near, that is, invite, invoke (by imploration, [ex]hortation or consolation).[S]  To call to one’s side, hence, to call to aid; every kind of calling to which is meant to produce a particular effect, whether of admonishing, exhorting, cheering, helping, etc.[B]  To call upon someone to do something, to exhort, admonish.[WSD]  To admonish, exhort; to urge one to pursue some course of conduct (always prospective, looking to the future); to call on, entreat.[V]  To admonish, strengthen, encourage.[N]

therefore:  Apparently a primary word; (adverbially) certainly, or (conjugationally) accordingly.[S]  Then (marking the logical or formal inference); refers to 8:39.[B]  In view of all that has been advanced in the foregoing part of this Epistle.[JFB]  Then, accordingly, consequently, these things being so.[CW]  And so.

brethren:  From G1 (as a connective particle) and δελφύς delphus (the womb); a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote.[S]  The members of the same Christian community.[KWSB] 

by: A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through (in very wide applications, local, causal or occasional).[S]  Through, as proceeding from; by means of, denoting the instrument of an action.[B]  By, not as an adjuration, but as presenting the motive for obedience.  I use the compassion of God to move you to present, etc.[MRV]

mercies:  From G3627; pity [i.e., sympathy with the grief or misery of another; fellow-suffering or compassion accompanied with some act of charity or benevolence].[S]  A feeling of sympathy with misery, active compassion, the desire of relieving the miserable.[B]  That essential perfection in God whereby He pities and relieves the miseries of His creatures.[C]  The outward manifestation of pity; it assumes need on the part of him who receives it, and resources adequate to meet the need of the part of him who shows it.[V]  Kindness; compassion; blessing.[N]  By the mercies of God summarizes all that God has accomplished for the believer in chapters 1-11 in justifying the believer (chapters 1-5), enabling the believer to live a righteous life (chapters 6-8), and being faithful to Israel (chapters 9-11).[ASB]   "By means of the mercies of God" as shown in his argument and in our lives.  See 2 Corinthians 1:3 for "the Father of mercies".[RWP]

God:  Of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with G3588) the supreme Divinity…[S]  The Godhead, trinity.[CW]

that ye [to] present: From G3488 and G2476; to stand beside, that is, (transitively) to exhibit, proffer, (specifically) recommend, (figuratively) substantiate; or (intransitively) to be at hand (or ready), aid.[S]  To place beside, put at disposal.[SS]  To cause to stand near, to place nearby; hence, to place or present before, to place at hand, to furnish, to exhibit.[B]  Refers to a definite act of presentation.  This verb is used of offering a sacrifice that became “holy” under the Levitical system (compare Exodus 29:27).  This shows that the Christian life begins with total commitment and irrevocable presentation.[ASB]  It is the technical term for presenting the Levitical victims and offerings.  In the Levitical sacrifices the offerer placed his offering so as to face the Most Holy Place, thus bringing it before the Lord.[MRV]  To set, place or introduce into the presence or before the face of a superior.[W]  Wholly yield (same Greek word as “yield” in 6:13, 19). 

your bodies:  From G4982; the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively.[S]  The body has been an instrument of sin (chapter 6).  Now it is to be presented to God as a channel through which the righteousness of God is manifested.[ASB]  Literally, but regarded as the outward organ of the will.[MRV]  That is, "yourselves in the body", considered as the organ of the inner life.  As it is through the body that all the evil that is in the unrenewed heart comes forth into palpable manifestation and action, so it is through the body that all the gracious principles and affections of believers reveal themselves in the outward life.  Sanctification extends to the whole man (1 Thessalonians 5:23, 24).[JFB]  that ye present your bodies = A metaphor taken from bringing sacrifices to the altar of God.  The person offering picked out the choicest of his flock, brought it to the altar, and presented it there as an atonement for his sin.  They are exhorted to give themselves up in the spirit of sacrifice; to be as wholly the Lord's property as the whole burnt-offering was, no part being devoted to any other use.[Adam Clarke]

a living:  A primary verb; to live (literally or figuratively).[S]  “Living and constant sacrifice”, as opposed to the intermittent sacrifices of slaughtered victims.[WSD]  Producing action, animation and vigor.[W]  To enjoy life, a) to have true life and worthy of the name; b) active, blessed, endless in the kingdom of God.[CW]

Note following highlighted phrases concerning “living” (some also concern “present”, “renewing”, etc.):

     “And He said unto them, How is it that ye sought Me?  wist ye not that I must be about [i.e., concerned in, engaged in, relating to, respecting] My Father's business [literally “the things of My Father”, i.e., serious engagement, important occupation]?”—Luke 2:49

     “Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.  For if we have been planted together in the likeness of His death, we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection:  Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.  For he that is dead is freed from sin.  Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him:  Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over Him.  For in that He died, He died unto sin once: but in that He liveth, He liveth unto God.  Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.  Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.  For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.  What then?  shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace?  God forbid.  Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?  But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.  Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.  I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.”—Romans 6:4-19

     “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.  For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:  That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.  For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.  For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.  Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.  So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.  But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.  And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.  But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.  Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.  For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die:  but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.  For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.”—Romans 8:1-14

          “And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.  The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.  Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.  But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.” –Romans 13:11-14

     “Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.  For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.  So then death worketh in us, but life in you.  We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak; Knowing that He which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.  For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.  For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.”—2 Corinthians 4:10-16 

     “That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”—Ephesians 4:22-24

     “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”—Ephesians 6:10-13

     “And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created him:  Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.  Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.  And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.”—Colossians 3:10-14

sacrifice:  From G2380; sacrifice (the act or the victim, literally or figuratively).[S]  The whole man.[C]  Metonymically referring to the body as the external man, to which is ascribed that which strictly belongs to the person, man, individual.[WSD]  Literally, but regarded as the outward organ of the will.[MRV]  The thing offered to God by an act of religion.[W]  a living sacrifice = Spiritual sacrifice.  Two examples:  Isaac (Genesis 22) and the Lord Jesus Christ.[C]   In contrast with the Levitical sacrifices of slain animals.  Compare 6:8, 11, and 13.  Not a propitiatory sacrifice, but one of praise.[RWP]  In glorious contrast to the legal sacrifices, which, save as they were slain, were no sacrifices at all.  The death of the one "Lamb of God, taking away the sin of the world", has swept all dead victims from off the altar of God, to make room for the redeemed themselves as "living sacrifices" to Him who made "Him to be sin for us"; while every outgoing of their grateful hearts in praise, and every act prompted by the love of Christ, is itself a sacrifice to God of a sweet-smelling savor (Hebrews 13:15, 16).[JFB]

holy:  From ἅγος hagos (an awful thing) compare G53, [H2282]; sacred (physically pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially consecrated).[S]  Without spot or blemish; referring still to the sacrifice required by the law.[Adam Clarke]  As the Levitical victims, when offered without blemish to God, were regarded as holy, so believers, "yielding themselves to God as those that are alive from the dead, and their members as instruments of righteousness unto God", are, in His estimation, not ritually but really "holy", and so acceptable—“well-pleasing" unto God—not as the Levitical offerings, merely as appointed symbols of spiritual ideas, but objects, intrinsically, of divine complacency, in their renewed character, and endeared relationship to Him through His Son Jesus Christ.[JFB]

acceptable:  From G2095 and G701; fully agreeable.[S]  Well-pleasing.[B]  Well pleasing; used with reference to God, that which God wills and recognizes.[WSD]  The sacrifice being perfect in its kind, and the intention of the offerer being such that both can be acceptable and well pleasing to God, who searches the heart.  All these phrases are sacrificial, and show that there must be a complete surrender of the person-the body, the whole man, mind and flesh, to be given to God; and that he is to consider himself no more his own, but the entire property of his Maker.[Adam Clarke]  [Fully] agreeable or pleasing in person.[W] 

reasonable:  From G3056; rational (“logical”) something said (including the thought); by implication a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension a computation.[S]  Pertaining to the reason, rational (English, logical).[B]  Conformable or agreeable to reason; just; rational.[W]  Pertaining to the reasoning facility, rational.  The sacrifice is to be intelligent, in contrast to those offered by ritual and compulsion; the presentation is to be in accordance with the spiritual intelligence of those who are new creatures in Christ and are mindful of “the mercies of God”.[V]  Worship is to be understood as that service to God which implies intelligent meditation or reflection without the kind of heathen practices intimated in 1 Corinthians 12:2 and without the obsolete system of OT worship (Isaiah 1:12-15).[WSD]  Rational, as distinguished from merely external or material.  Hence nearly equivalent to spiritual.  It is in harmony with the highest reason.[MRV] 

service:  From G3000 [i.e., to minister (to God), that is, render religious homage; ministration of God], that is, worship.[S]  Divine service; obedience and adoration rendered to God.[B]  That which God requires of man; worship; obedience.[W]  reasonable service = not merely ritual activity but the involvement of heart, mind and will.[ZSB]  Hired service, is use of the intelligent service of believers in presenting their bodies to God, a living sacrifice.[V]  Rather, "rational" service—in contrast, not to the senselessness of idol-worship, but to the offering of irrational victims under the law. In this view the presentation of ourselves, as living monuments of redeeming mercy, is here called "our rational service"; and surely it is the most rational and exalted occupation of God's reasonable creatures.  So 2 Peter 1:5, "to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ".[JFB]  Spiritual worship.

     I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, etc. The apostle having finished the doctrinal part of this epistle proceeds to that which is more practical; and enforces the several duties of religion, upon the principles he had before laid down, a method generally observed by him in all his epistles.  The illative particle "therefore", shows that the following exhortations are so many conclusions, consequences, and inferences, deduced from what had been said in the latter part of the preceding chapter; that since all things are of God, and by Him and to Him, then the saints ought to present their bodies to Him, and to know, approve, and do His will; and since they have nothing but what they have received from Him, they ought not to think too highly of, or glory in their attainments.  The introduction to these exhortations, is in a very kind and affectionate manner; the saints are addressed as "brethren", and very appropriately; since this expresses the relation they stood in to the apostle, for whom he had an hearty love and concern; and therefore what he pressed them to was out of a sincere regard to their good, as well as to the glory of God; also their relation to each other, and which several of the duties he urges had a connection with; likewise their relation to God, being of his family, having one and the same Father, and so under obligation to regard His will, honour and reverence Him: moreover, these things are moved, not in an imperious way, in an authoritative manner, but by way of entreaty, "I beseech you"; as an ambassador of Christ, and as though in His stead: nor are they enforced by terrors, threats, and menaces, but "by the mercies of God"; that is, the abundant mercy of God, displayed in their election, regeneration, and calling; than which, nothing can have a greater influence on a believer, to engage him to holiness of life and conversation; and shows, that the doctrines of grace are no licentious ones, nor do they render useless precepts, exhortations, entreaties, cautions, and advice, particularly such as follow; that ye present your bodies; not barely that part of them commonly so called, for this is not to be understood of a mere presentation of the body in public worship:  for though this ought to be, yet not without the heart engaged therein, otherwise bodily exercise will be of no avail; nor of a bare abstinence from grosser sins done in the body, and against it, and which defile and dishonour it; much less of a maceration, and keeping under the body, by watchings, fasting, etc. and still less of an offering of the body at death in a way of martyrdom, though this ought to be cheerfully complied with when called for:  but by their bodies are meant, themselves, their whole souls and bodies, all the powers and faculties of their souls, and members of their bodies; and the presenting of them, designs a devoting of them, with all readiness and willingness, to the service of God for His honour and glory, without putting any confidence in, or placing any dependence upon them; which would be sacrificing to their own net, and burning incense to their drag; it includes the whole of their service, conversation, and religion, internal and external.  The allusion is to the rite of sacrificing, to the bringing of the slain beast, and laying it on the altar, and there presenting and offering it to the Lord. Under the Gospel dispensation all believers are priests; and the sacrifices they bring are not the bodies of slain beasts, but their own bodies, their whole selves; and these a living sacrifice, in opposition to the bodies of slain beasts offered under the legal dispensation, and to the dead works of such as are destitute of faith in Christ, and to the lifeless performances of the saints themselves at certain times; and designs such a presentation of themselves in the performance of religious duties, as springs from a principle of life under the quickening influences of the Spirit of God, with faith and fervency; though without any view to obtain life hereby, for that is only by the offering up of the body of Christ once for all.  Another epithet of this sacrifice of our bodies to God is holy, in allusion to the sacrifices under the law, which were separated from common use, and devoted to God, and were not to have the least spot and blemish in them; and regards men sanctified by the Spirit of God, and whose actions flow from a principle of holiness, and are performed under the influence of the Holy Spirit; and such sacrifices as are both living and holy, cannot but be acceptable to God through the mediation of His Son, by Whom, as the persons, the souls and bodies of His people, so their spiritual sacrifices, whether of prayer or praise, are only acceptable to Him: which is your reasonable service; it is agreeably to reason, and especially as sanctified, that men who have their beings from God, and are upheld in them by Him, and are followed with the bounties of Providence; and especially who are made new creatures, and are blessed by Him with all spiritual blessings in Christ, that they should give up themselves to Him, and cheerfully serve Him in their day and generation; such service is also agreeably to the Scriptures of truth, the standard of faith and practice, and contain and enforce nothing but what is highly reasonable to be complied with; it is such service as lies not in the slaying of irrational creatures, but in the presenting of men endued with rational powers unto God; and is of a spiritual nature, performed by spiritual men, under the influence of the Spirit of God: and is suitable to the nature and perfections of God, and stands opposed to the corporeal and carnal service of the Jews.[JG]

Romans 12:2  And²⁵³² be not³³⁶¹ conformed to⁴⁹⁶⁴ this⁵¹²⁹ world:¹⁶⁵ but²³⁵ be ye transformed³³³⁹ by the³⁵⁸⁸ renewing³⁴² of your⁵²¹⁶ mind,³⁵⁶³ that ye⁵²⁰⁹ may prove¹³⁸¹ what⁵¹⁰¹ is that good,¹⁸ and²⁵³² acceptable,²¹⁰¹ and²⁵³² perfect,⁵⁰⁴⁶ will²³⁰⁷ of God.²³¹⁶

And: Apparently a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so, then, too, etc.[S]  The conjunction of annexation, uniting things strictly coordinate, and, also, even (kai connects thoughts).[B] 

be conformed to:  From G4862 and a derivative of G4976; to fashion alike, that is, conform to the same pattern (figuratively).[S]  To form, fashion, or shape one’s self after another, to be conformed to his example.[B] To fashion or shape one thing like another.  This verb has more especial reference to that which is transitory, changeable, unstable; and could not be used of inward transformation.[V]  Literally, “stop conforming yourselves” [to]):  They are to resist being poured into the mold of present thinking, value systems, and conduct of this world.[ASB]  To reduce to a likeness or correspondence in manners, opinions, or moral qualities.[W]  To fashion alike, conform to the same pattern outwardly.[WSD]  To conform one’s self (i.e., one’s mind and character) to another’s pattern.[CW]  be not conformed to = Stop doing this! 

not:  A primary particle of qualified negation (whereas G3756 expresses an absolute denial); (adverbially) not, (conjugationally) lest; also (as interrogative implying a negative answer [whereas G3756 expects an affirmative one]); whether.[S]  Not, no, expressing a dependent and conditional negation, i.e., depending on the idea, conception, or thoughts of some subject, and therefore subjective.[B] 

this:  Dative singular masculine or neuter of G3778; to (in, with or by) this (person or thing).[S]  This one here.[B]

world:  From the same as G104; properly an age; by extension perpetuity (also past); by implication the world; specifically (Jewish) a Messianic period (present or future).[S]  The present world, with its cares, temptations, and desires; the idea of evil, both moral and physical, being everywhere implied.[WSD]  Period of time.[CW]  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.[Adam Clarke]  Present state of existence.[W] 

but:  Neuter plural of G243; properly other things, that is, (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations).[S]  Nay, rather.[CW] 

be ye transformed:  From G3326 and G3445; to transform (literally or figuratively “metamorphose” [i.e., to change into a different form]).[S]  To change one’s form, fashion, or appearance, to transfigure, alter one’s form (hence the English, metamorphosis).[B]  To change the natural disposition and temper of man into a disposition and temper conformed to the will of God.[W]  To change into another form, is used of believers, the obligation being to undergo a complete change which, under the power (and influence) of God, will find expression in character and conduct; lays stress on the inward change; the present continuous tense indicates a process.[V]  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.[Adam Clarke]

renewing of:  From G341; renovation [i.e., the act of renewing; a making new after decay, destruction or depravation:  renewal; as the renovation of the heart by grace].[S]  Renewal, renovation, a making other and different from that which had been formerly.[B]  A renewal, i.e., the adjustment of the moral and spiritual vision and thinking to the mind of God, which is designed to have a transforming effect upon the life.[V]  Taken for reviving, strengthening, and repairing of that which is decayed and blemished by sin.[C]  To renovate; to restore to a former state, or to a good state, after decay or deprivation.[W]

mind:  Probably from the base of G1097; the intellect, that is, mind (divine or human; in thought, feeling, or will); by implication meaning.[S]  The organ of moral thinking, i.e., contemplation.[B]  Reason in a narrower sense, as the capacity for spiritual truth, the higher power of the soul, the faculty of perceiving divine things, of recognizing goodness and of hating evil.[CW]  Intellectual faculty, understanding or moral reflection; the faculty renewed by the Holy Spirit.[KWSB]  Moral judgment as related to action; agreeing with reasonable service.[MRV]  Thought and will as they relate to morality.[ZSB]  The implanted principle of grace.[W]  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]  Let the inward change produce the outward.  Where the spirit, the temper, and disposition of the mind, Ephesians iv.23, are not renewed, an outward change is of but little worth, and but of short standing.[Adam Clarke]

be not conformed to this world [with this age] but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind = That is, do not fall in with the external and fleeting fashions of this age nor be fashioned to them, but undergo a deep inner change (metamorphousthe [G3339]) by the qualitative renewing (anakainosei [G341]) of your mind as the Spirit of God alone can work in you (2 Corinthians 3:18).[KWSB]

that ye may prove:  From G1384; to test (literally or figuratively); by implication to approve.[S]  To assay, to make trial of, put to the proof, examine; hence, to examine and judge of; prove by test (tested); prove on trial.[B]  That  is, experimentally.  (On the word "experience" 1 Thessalonians 5:10, where the sentiment is the same).[JFB]  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.[Adam Clarke]  To discern, approve of, and conform to.[C] 

what:  Probably emphatic of G5100; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions).[S]  Who? Which? What? With the Indicative mood, relating to some actual matter of fact.[B] 

is that [the] good:  A primary word; “good” (in any sense, often as noun)[S]  Describes that which, being good in its character or constitution, is beneficial in its effects.[V]  Of things in a moral sense, good, upright, virtuous.[WSD]  Excellent, distinguished, upright, honorable.[CW]  That which leads to the spiritual and moral growth of the Christian.[ZSB]  Pious and religious.[C] 

acceptable:  From G2095 and G701; fully agreeable.[S]  Well pleasing to and well received by every mind that is renewed and transformed.[Adam Clarke]

perfect:  From G5056; complete (in various applications of labor, growth, mental and moral character, etc.); neuter (as noun, with G3588) completeness.[S]  Consummate [i.e., carried to the utmost extent or degree] human integrity and virtue.[CW]  Complete, full, wanting nothing, with special reference to the end for which it was intended.[B]  When used in a moral sense referring to God’s expectation of us, it means completely blameless.[WSD]  To not be morally lacking.[KWSB]  Complete in moral excellencies.[W]

will of God:  From the prolonged form of G2309; a determination (properly the thing), that is, (actively) choice (specifically purpose, decree; abstractly volition) or (passively) inclination.[S]   Active volition, wish.[B]  By metonymy, will, what one wills to do or have done.[WSD]  Desire, inclination.[MRV]  God’s good pleasure to be carried out by us.[KWSB]  Divine determination; moral purpose or counsel.[W]  Refers to His purpose for the life of the believer.  It implies His guidance or direction in all of life’s decisions.[ASB]  What God wants from the believer here and now.[ZSB]  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.[JW]

     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 abh Mlwe, "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; 2 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.[JG]

     “I appeal to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship.  Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adopted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].”—Romans 12:1-2, AMPLIFIED BIBLE.