Conformity to the World vs Renewing the Mind in Romans 12
Romans 12:2 states, "And be not conformed to this world: but be reformed in the newness of your mind, that you may prove what is the good and the acceptable and the perfect will of God" (DRC) [1]. This verse serves as a pivotal exhortation following the doctrinal sections of Paul's letter to the Romans, transitioning into practical Christian living [6].
The immediate context of Romans 12 begins with an appeal for believers to present their bodies as "a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service" (Romans 12:1, DRC). This call to spiritual worship sets the stage for the subsequent instruction on how believers are to live in the world [3, 6]. The passage then moves to discuss the importance of not conforming to "this world" but rather being transformed by the renewing of the mind [1].
The phrase "this world" (Greek: aiōn toutou) can refer to the present age or the prevailing system of thought and behavior that is opposed to God [5]. John Gill suggests it could refer to the Mosaic dispensation, which was passing away, or more broadly, to "the men of the world," meaning those who are carnal and unregenerate [5]. This concept of "this world" is also seen in other Pauline epistles, such as Ephesians 2:2, which speaks of following "the course of this world" [2]. The call not to be "conformed" (Greek: syschēmatizō) implies a warning against adopting the outward patterns, customs, and values of this world [7].
In contrast to conformity, believers are called to be "transformed" (Greek: metamorphoō), a term that suggests a radical inward change, akin to a transfiguration [7]. This transformation is achieved "by the renewing of your mind" (Greek: anakainōsis tou noos) [1]. This "renewing" is not merely a moral reformation but a work of the Holy Spirit that brings the entire being under the influence of new, gracious principles implanted during regeneration [4]. Augustine of Hippo connects this renewal to the restoration of the image of God in humanity, arguing that as believers are transformed not to be conformed to the world, they are conformed to the Son of God [9, 10]. He further explains that this renewal is not fully completed in this life but is a continuous process [11].
The purpose of this transformation is "that you may prove what is the good and the acceptable and the perfect will of God" [1]. The renewed mind enables believers to discern and approve God's will, which is described as good, acceptable, and perfect [1]. This implies a practical outworking of spiritual understanding, where the transformed mind can rightly judge and embrace divine truth [7]. John Calvin emphasizes that Christian life, which includes this transformation, cannot exist without charity and involves self-denial and dependence on God [8].
The concept of sanctification is closely related to the renewing of the mind. Sanctification is the ongoing process by which the Holy Spirit perfects the work begun in regeneration, extending to the whole person [4]. This aligns with Paul's emphasis on the inward change that leads to outward conduct consistent with God's will. The struggle between the "law of the mind" and the "law of sin in the members" (Romans 7:23) highlights the necessity of this continuous renewal [12].
Sources
- Romans “Romans 12:2 (DRC) — And be not conformed to this world: but be reformed in the newness of your mind, that you may prove what is the good and the acceptable and the perfect will of God.”
- OpenBible.info “Cross-reference: Eph.2.2 → Rom.12.2 (confidence: 12 votes)”
- OpenBible.info “Cross-reference: Ps.51.17 → Rom.12.1 (confidence: 12 votes)”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Sanctification — Involves more than a mere moral reformation of character, brought about by the power of the truth: it is the work of the Holy Spirit bringing the whole nature more and more under the influences of the new gracious principles implanted in the soul in regeneration. In other words, sanctification is the carrying on to perfection the work begun in regeneration, and it extends to the whole man (Rom. 6:13; 2 Cor. 4:6; Col. 3:10; 1 John 4:7; 1 Cor. 6:19). It is the special office of the Holy Spirit in the plan of redemption to carry on this work (1 Cor. 6:1”
- Romans (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Romans 12:2: 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 , "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 unregener”
- Romans (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Romans 12 (introduction): INTRODUCTION TO ROMANS 12 The doctrines concerning predestination, justification, &c. being established, the duties of religion are built upon them, and enforced by them in this and the following chapters. The apostle first exhorts all the members of the church in common to a regard to the worship of God, in opposition to the things of the world; and then the officers of the church particularly, to the discharge of their duty; and next all of them, both officers and members, to the performance of various duties respecting God, themselves, one another, a”
- Romans (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Romans 12:2: And be ye not conformed to this world--Compare Eph 2:2; Gal 1:4, Greek. but be ye transformed--or, "transfigured" (as in Mat 17:2; and Co2 3:18, Greek). 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 unattain”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 62: refuted. 7. Christian life cannot exist without charity. Remedies for the vices opposed to charity. 1. Mercy. 2. Humility. 3. Modesty. 4. Diligence. 5. Perseverance. 8. Self-denial, in respect of God, should lead to equanimity and tolerance. 1. We are always subject to God. 2. We should shun avarice and ambition. 3. We should expect all prosperity from the blessing of God, and entirely depend on him. 9. We ought not to desire wealth or honours without the divine blessing, nor follow the arts of the wicked. We ought to cast all our ”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 2: Augustine — City of God, Christian Doctrine — CHAP. 16.--WHAT IS MEANT BY THE CONFORMING OF THE SAINTS TO THE IMAGE OF TIlE SON OF GOD.: Then, again, these words, "Predestinate to be conformed to the image of the Son of God,"(2) may be understood of the inner man. So in another place He says to us, "Be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed in the renewing of your mind."(3) In so far, then, as we are transformed so as not to be conformed to the world, we are conformed to the Son of God. It may also be understood thus, that as He was conformed to us by assuming mortalit”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 3: Augustine — On the Holy Trinity — CHAP. 16.--HOW THE IMAGE OF GOD IS FORMED (part 1): ANEW IN MAN. 22. But those who, by being reminded, are turned to the Lord from that deformity whereby they were through worldly lusts conformed to this world, are formed anew from the world, when they hearken to the apostle, saying," Be not conformed to this world, but be ye formed again in the renewing of your mind;"(1) that that image may begin to be formed again by Him by whom it had been formed at first. For that image cannot form itself again, as it could deform itself. He says again elsewhe”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 1: Augustine — Confessions, Letters — CHAP. XIII.- THAT THE RENEWAL OF MAN IS NOT: COMPLETED IN THIS WORLD. 14. But as yet "by faith, not by sight," ,3 for "we are saved by hope; but hope that is seen is not hope." ,4 As yet deep calleth unto deep ,s but .in "the noise of Thy waterspouts."16 And as yet doth he that saith, I "could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal,"17 even he, as yet, doth not count himself to have apprehended, and forgetteth those things which are behind, and reacheth forth to those things which are before? and groaneth being burdened;'9 and h”
- Romans (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Romans 7:23: But I see another--it should be "a different" law in my members--(See on Rom 7:5). warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members--In this important verse, observe, first, that the word "law" means an inward principle of action, good or evil, operating with the fixedness and regularity of a law. The apostle found two such laws within him; the one "the law of sin in his members," called (in Gal 5:17, Gal 5:24) "the flesh which lusteth against the spirit," "the flesh with the affections and”