What does scripture mean when it says, “be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Rom. 12:2)?
As the article says we have to learn to view life etc the same way God sees life etc and that means having a deep knowledge of the bible and of God.
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This is a really great article! @DaughterOfEve24
(Too bad about all the pop-ups)
“Renewed thoughts resulting in new beliefs help you engage with God’s plan for your life because thoughts fuel your beliefs. Godly Kingdom-Focused thoughts are great fuel for your godly beliefs, while ungodly, fear-driven lies and half-truths fuel ungodly beliefs.”
Our “free will” starts here. We are free to choose what we believe, from a whole constellation of candidates. Then we often have a cluster of beliefs that gather together about a specific subject. And they are usually contradictory in some magnitude. The one that we choose to believe the most at any given moment will determine what action we take.
Solid stuff here thanks for posting!
AMP says it well.
Rom 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted 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].
Matter of fact, verse 1 as well.
Rom 12:1 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.
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; Php_2:7.). In N.T. only here and 1Pe_1:14.
According to this world (tōi aiōni toutōi). Associative instrumental case. Do not take this age as your fashion plate.
Be ye transformed (metamorphousthe). Present passive imperative of metamorphoō, another late verb, to transfigure as in Mat_17:2 (Mrk_9:2); 2Co_3:18, which see. On the distinction between schēma and morphē, see note on Php_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.
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).
From Robertson A.T.
And this from Old Barney
Be ye transformed - The word from which the expression here is derived means “form, habit” μορφή morphē. The direction is, “put on another form, change the form of the world for that of Christianity.” This word would properly refer to the external appearance, but the expression which the apostle immediately uses, “renewing of the mind,.” shows that he did not intend to use it with reference to that only, but to the charge of the whole man.
The meaning is, do not cherish a spirit. devoted to the world, following its vain fashions and pleasures, but cultivate a spirit attached to God, and his kingdom and cause.
By the renewing - By the making new; the changing into new views and feelings. The Christian is often represented as a new creature; 2Co_5:17; Gal_6:15; Eph_4:24; 1Pe_2:2.
Your mind - The word translated “mind” properly denotes intellect, as distinguished from the will and affections. But here it seems to be used as applicable to the whole spirit as distinguished from the body, including the understanding, will, and affections. As if he had said, Let not this change appertain to the body only, but to the soul. Let it not be a mere external conformity, but let it have its seat in the spirit. All external changes, if the mind was not changed, would be useless, or would be hypocrisy. Christianity seeks to reign in the soul; and having its seat there, the external conduct and habits will be regulated accordingly.
Shalom.
J.
I believe, @DaughterOfEve24, that our minds, feelings, and decision-making must all be renewed from the Father through Jesus by the Spirit from the self-centeredness with which we were born to the God-centeredness that God rightly wants for us. It comes by his transforming power with our cooperation, all to his honor through Jesus’ death and resurrection.
I think there is something to be said about the connection between this passage and the concept of metanoia, what is usually translated as “repentance”.
We often think of repentance as “being sorry for our sins” and while that’s not wrong, grief over our sin and confessing them, that we should be refreshed by the word of God in the Gospel is very important. But that’s not quite the whole picture with metanoia.
The word metanoia carries a sense of over/beyond/change of mind. One anecdote I have heard involves the Jewish historian Josephus who when he encountered a violent zealot, told the zealot, “repent and follow me”. Josephus’ meaning was, “change the way you think, and come see how things are done my way”. Metanoia involves changing how you think, a modification of views, perspective; and yes that does involve sin. No longer living according to the flesh and indulging the flesh, not just in behavior, but in one’s mind and heart as well. So repentance is this sort of continual transformation of change–of mortifying the flesh, pursuing Christ, doing things Jesus’ way, abiding in God’s will.
So when we read “Do not be conformed to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” I think this is the essence of what he is capturing: Stop thinking in a worldly way, and start thinking like Jesus–the Holy Spirit is doing that work to change us, and He is conforming us to the image of Christ.
It’s still repentance language, but it’s one of the dimensions of repentance–metanoia. A change in thinking, an overhaul of our minds. Not unlike when Paul says in Philippians to have “this same mind in you that was in Christ Jesus”, our phren, which seems to carry the idea(s) of our understanding, our sense, our disposition of heart and mind.
Our whole way of being–our entire human person–is being called to transformation and submission and conformity to Jesus. That work has already begun; and will be made perfect on the final day when even these very bodies of ours will also be transformed (1 Cor 15:49).
Romans 12:2 — Word Study | SermonIndex.
Rom_12:2 “do not be conformed” This is apresent passive imperative (or perfect middle) with the negative particle which usually means to stop an act already in process. There is a contrast to Rom_12:2 similar to the one in Php_2:6-8, between the outward changing form (schema, Rom_2:8) and the inner unchanging essence (morphe, Rom_2:6-7). Believers are exhorted not to continue to be like the changing, fallen world system (the old age of rebellion) of which they are still physically a part, but to be radically changed into Christlikeness (the new age of the Spirit).
“to this world”
This is literally the term “age.” The Jews saw two ages (cf. Mat_12:32; Mar_10:30; Luk_20:34-35), the current evil age (cf. Gal_1:4; 2Co_4:4; Eph_2:2) and the age to come (cf. Mat_28:20; Heb_1:3; 1Jn_2:15-17). Believers live in the tension-filled time in which these ages have surprisingly been overlapped. Because of the two comings of Christ, believers live in the “already and not yet” tension of the Kingdom of God as both present and yet future.
“be transformed”
Believers must be transformed (cf. Rom_6:4; Rom_7:6; 2Co_5:17; Gal_6:15; Eph_4:22-24; Col_3:10), not just informed! The grammatical form of this term can be present middle imperative, “continue to transform yourselves” or present passive imperative, “continue to be transformed.” This is also true of “conform” in Rom_12:2 a. For a similar contrast compare Eze_18:31 (human commitment and action) with Eze_36:26-27 (divine gift). Both are needed!
A form of this same word for “formed” is used of Jesus at the Transfiguration (cf. Mat_17:2), where His true essence was revealed. This true divine essence (cf. 2Pe_1:3-4) is to be formed in every believer (cf. 2Co_3:18; Eph_4:13).
“by the renewing of your mind”
This is from the Greek root for new in quality (kainos) not new in time (chronos). For the Jews the senses of sight and hearing were the windows of the soul. What one thinks about, one becomes. After salvation, because of the indwelling Spirit, believers have a new perspective (cf. Eph_4:13; Eph_4:23; Tit_3:5). This new biblical worldview, along with the indwelling Spirit, is what transforms the mind and lifestyle of new believers. Believers look at reality in a totally different way because their minds have been energized by the Spirit. A new redeemed, Spirit-led mind results in a new lifestyle! This is what the new covenant promised (cf. Jer_31:31-34).
“that you may prove what the will of God is”
This is a present infinitive. The word (dokimazô) is used with the connotation of “to test with a view toward approval.” See Special Topic at Rom_2:18.
The will of God is that all be saved through Christ (cf. Joh_6:39-40), and then live like Christ (cf. Rom_8:28-29; Gal_4:19, Eph_1:4; Eph_4:13; Eph_4:15; Eph_5:17-18). Christian assurance (see special Topic at Rom_5:2) is based on
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the promises of a trustworthy God
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the indwelling Holy Spirit (cf. Rom_8:14-16)
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believer’s changed and changing life (cf. James & 1 John) “no fruit, no root” (cf. Mat_13:1-9; Mat_13:19-23)
As per kind favor of Dr. Utley.
J.