Romans 12:1-2 Greek Word Study
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. (vs. 2) And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

“I beseech” - (parakalo)
Root (para, beside) + (kaleo,to call)
Meaning:
To urge
To appeal
To exhort
To encourage strongly
Usage: A pastoral plea rather than a strict command.
Same root used for the Holy Spirit theparaketos(Comforter) in (Jn. 14:16 “And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever”).
“Therefore” - (oun)
A logical connector
Meaning:
In light of everything previously stated
summarizes (Romans 1-11)
Paul transitions from doctrine to duty
“By the mercies of God” - (oiktirmos)
Meaning:
Compassion
Mercy
Pity
“your bodies” - (ta somata hymon)
(soma) – The physical body, but includes the whole person expressed through the body.
In Greek thinking:
Body – outer instrument of the inner life
Actions reveal devotion
Compare (1 Cor. 6:19-20 “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? (vs. 20) For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.”)
“A living sacrifice” - (thysianzosan)
(thysia) – sacrifice offering
(zosan) – present participle - “continually living”
Unique Contrast:
Old Testament –dead
New Testament –livingsacrifice
Conveys”
ongoing surrender
daily commitment
“Holy” - (hagian)
set apart
consecrated
dedicated for God's use
“acceptable” - (euareston)
Meaning:
well pleasing
favorable
approved by God
“reasonable service” - (ten logiken latreian)
(logikos)
Meaning:
Rational
Logical
Spiritual (in the sense of involving the mind)
Root of English word “logic”
(latreia)
Meaning:
worship
service offered to God
Priestly service
Thus: “Worship that is rational, intelligent, and fitting”


Romans 12:2
“Do not be conformed” - (me syschematizesthe)
Present passive imperative (continuous command)
(syschematizo)
Meaning:
To shape according to a pattern
To conform outwardly
To adapt the same form
Root words:
(syn) – together with
(schema) – form, appearance
Idea:
“Do not let the world press you into its mold”
Compare:
(1 Pet. 1:14 “as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as your ignorance;”) - “not fashioning yourselves”
(me syschematizomenoi)
“but be transformed” - (metamorphousthe)
Present passive imperative
Meaning:
To change from within
To be transformed from within
To undergo a metamorphosis
Used in:
(Matt. 17:2 “and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light.”) - Jesus' transfiguration
(2 Cor. 3:18 “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.”) - Believers changed by the Holy Spirit
Passive voice – God performs the transformation
“by the renewing” - (te anakainosei)
(anakainosei) -
Meaning:
Renewal
Renovation
Complete change for the better
Rejuvenation
Root:
(ana) – again
(kainos) – new in quality or nature
The mind becomes “new” its capacities and direction
“of your mind” - (tou nous)
(nous)
Meaning:
Mind
Understanding
Reasoning
Moral consciousness
The center of:
Thoughts
beliefs
intentions
perception
Major New Testament theme:
(Eph. 4:23 “and be renewed in the spirit of your mind,”)
(1 Cor. 2:16 “For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD THAT HE MAY INSTRUCT HIM? But we have the mind of Christ.”)
“that you may prove” - (eis to dokimazein)
Present active infinitive
(dokimazo)
Meaning:
To test
To examine
To discern
To approve after testing
Believers test thoughts, desires, and choices against God's truth.
Also used in:
(1 Thess. 5:21 “Test all things; hold fast what is good”)
(Eph. 5:10 “finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.”)
“what is that good...” - (to agathon)
(agathos)
Meaning:
Good by nature
Morally excellent
Beneficial
“acceptable” - (euareston)
Same word as in verse 1
Meaning:
Pleasing
Approved
That which God delights in
“perfect” - (teleion)
(teleios)
Meaning:
Perfect
Complete
Mature
Fully developed
Not sinless perfection, but spiritual maturity and completeness
Summary:
Paul is saying: “I strongly urge you, based on God's many mercies to once-for-all place your whole self on God's altar as a living, holy, pleasing sacrifice – this is the logical expression of worship. And stop letting the world shape you, but continually allow God to transform you from the inside out, be renewing your way of thinking, so you can discern and embrace God's good, pleasing, and mature will.”