Discerning Good and Acceptable Will in Romans 12:2
Discerning Good and Acceptable Will in Romans 12:2
Romans 12:2, as translated in Young's Literal Translation (YLT), reads: "and be not conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, for your proving what is the will of God--the good, and acceptable, and perfect" [1]. This verse is part of a larger section in Romans (12:1–15:13) that outlines the moral and ethical demands of the Gospel, emphasizing God's desire to transform believers' lives beyond just forgiving their sin [5].
The verse is set within Paul's exhortation to the Roman Christians to live out their faith in a manner that is distinct from the surrounding culture. The preceding verse (Romans 12:1) urges believers to present their bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is their reasonable service [5]. The literary context suggests that Paul is discussing the practical outworking of the Gospel in the lives of believers.
The key terms in Romans 12:2 include "conformed" (συσχηματίζεσθε, syschēmatizesthe), "transformed" (μεταμορφοῦσθε, metamorphousthe), and "renewing of your mind" (τῇ ἀνακαινώσει τοῦ νοός, tē anakainōsei tou noos). The contrast between being "conformed" to this age and being "transformed" by the renewing of the mind highlights the need for an internal change that affects external behavior [3].
The phrase "the will of God--the good, and acceptable, and perfect" is crucial for understanding the verse. The use of three adjectives to describe the will of God suggests a comprehensive and multifaceted understanding of God's will. According to John Gill, a Baptist/Reformed commentator, understanding God's will involves knowing and approving "the things that are more excellent" or "triest the things that differ" (Romans 2:18), which implies a deepening discernment of God's good, acceptable, and perfect will [4].
The interpretation of Romans 12:2 varies among commentators. Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, representing a Presbyterian tradition, emphasize the inward spiritual transformation that makes the whole life new, not just in actions but in motives and ends [3]. This transformation is facilitated by the renewing of the mind, enabling believers to discern God's will.
In the view of Protestant academics, Romans 12:2 is part of a broader ethical teaching that requires believers to respond to God's gift of salvation with transformed lives. The transformation involves a change in how believers think and live, enabling them to approve and live according to God's good, acceptable, and perfect will [5].
The concept of discerning God's will is also linked to other biblical teachings. For instance, Psalm 19:7 is cross-referenced with Romans 12:2 on OpenBible.info, suggesting a connection between the perfection of God's law and the transformation of believers [2].
The historical setting of Romans, written by Paul to the Roman church, underscores the relevance of discerning God's will in a context where believers were surrounded by and tempted to conform to the prevailing cultural norms. Paul's exhortation to be transformed rather than conformed reflects his understanding of the Gospel's power to change lives and communities.
Sources
- Romans “Romans 12:2 (YLT) — and be not conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, for your proving what <FI>is<Fi> the will of God--the good, and acceptable, and perfect.”
- OpenBible.info “Cross-reference: Ps.19.7 → Rom.12.2 (confidence: 13 votes)”
- 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”
- Romans (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Romans 2:16: And knowest his will,.... Not the secret will or purpose of God; nor his revealed will in the Gospel, for of this they were ignorant; but his declared will in the law, showing what is to be done, and what is not to be done: to know which in express terms was a privilege, that other people had not; but then the bare knowledge of this will be of no avail: for persons may know their Lord's will, as the Jews did, and not do it, and so be worthy to be beaten with many stripes: and approvest the things that are more excellent: or "triest the things that differ"; from one ”
- Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 12:1: 12:1–15:13 This section of Romans sets out the moral and ethical demands of the Good News. God’s gift of salvation in Christ requires a response. God is not satisfied simply with forgiving our sin; he wants to transform our lives. Most of what Paul teaches concerning the moral duties of believers is paralleled in other letters. However, it also seems clear that he has chosen issues pertinent to the situation in Rome—most notably, the dispute between people who are weak in faith and people who are strong in faith (14:1–15:13). 12:1 Your bodies refers to the whole p”