Notes on Romans 12:1,2

                                                             John Robert Howell



        This Bible passage reads in part (King James Version):  "...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."

        J. B. Phillips has what seems to me an inspired translation of this passage:  "Don't let the world around you squeeze you into its own mold, but let God remold you from within, so that you may prove in practice that the plan of God for you is good, meets all his demands and moves toward the goal of true maturity."

        The New English Bible has in part:  "Adapt yourselves no longer to the pattern of this present world, but let your minds be remade and your whole nature thus transformed."

        A note on Romans 12: 1, 2 from the New Life Translation "Life Application Study Bible" reads in part:  "Our refusal to conform to this world's values, however, must go even deeper than just behaviour and customs; it must be firmly planted in our mind:  Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.  It is possible to avoid most worldly customs and still be proud, covetous, selfish, stubborn, and arrogant.  Only when the Holy Spirit renews, reeducates, and redirects our mind are we truly transformed..."

        "The Scriptures require more than a simple and feeble acceptance of the truths they present; they require a living faith, that so incorporates their lessons into our lives that these truths become the motive-power of every act."  (pp. 196-197 Miscellaneous Writings by Mary Baker Eddy)