Romans 12:1-2 ESV

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Romans 12:1-2

12:1-2 Brothers, I call upon you, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies to him, a living, consecrated sacrifice, well-pleasing to God--for that is the only kind of worship which is truly spiritual. And do not shape your lives to meet the fleeting fashions of this world; but be transformed from it, by the renewal of your mind, until the very essence of your being is altered, so that, in your own life, you may prove that the will of God is good and well pleasing and perfect. Here we... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 12:1

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God ,.... The apostle having finished the doctrinal part of this epistle, proceeds to that which is more practical; and enforces the several duties of religion, upon the principles he had before laid down, a method generally observed by him in all his epistles. The illative particle "therefore", shows that the following exhortations are so many conclusions, consequences, and inferences, deduced from what had been said in the latter part of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 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 עולם הבא , "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... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 12:1

I beseech you therefore, brethren - This address is probably intended both for the Jews and the Gentiles; though some suppose that the Jews are addressed in the first verse, the Gentiles in the second. By the mercies of God! - Δια των οικτιρμων του Θεου· By the tender mercies or compassions of God, such as a tender father shows to his refractory children; who, on their humiliation, is easily persuaded to forgive their offenses. The word οικτιρμος comes from οικτος , compassion; and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 12:2

And be not conformed to this world - By this world, αιωνι τουτῳ , may be understood that present state of things both among the Jews and Gentiles; the customs and fashions of the people who then lived, the Gentiles particularly, who had neither the power nor the form of godliness; though some think that the Jewish economy, frequently termed הזה עולם olam hazzeh , this world, this peculiar state of things, is alone intended. And the apostle warns them against reviving usages that... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 12:1

Verse 1 After having handled those things necessary for the erection of the kingdom of God, — that righteousness is to be sought from God alone, that salvation is to come to us alone from his mercy, that all blessings are laid up and daily offered to us in Christ only, — Paul now passes on, according to the best order, to show how the life is to be formed. If it be, that through the saving knowledge of God and of Christ, the soul is, as it were, regenerated into a celestial life, and that the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 12:2

Verse 2 2.And conform ye not to this world, etc. The term world has several significations, but here it means the sentiments and the morals of men; to which, not without cause, he forbids us to conform. For since the whole world lies in wickedness, it behooves us to put off whatever we have of the old man, if we would really put on Christ: and to remove all doubt, he explains what he means, by stating what is of a contrary nature; for he bids us to be transformed into a newness of mind. These... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 12:1

I beseech you therefore, brethren (he does not command, as did Moses in the Law; he beseeches; he is but a fellow-servant, with his brethren, of Christ; he does not "lord it over God's heritage" (cf. 1 Peter 5:3 ), but trusts that they will of their own accord respond to "the mercies of God" in Christ, which he has set before them), by the mercies of God ("Qui misericordia Dei recte movetur in omnem Dei voluntatem ingreditur. At anima irae obnoxia vix quiddam juvatur adhortationibus,"... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 12:1

Christian sacrifice and worship. In commencing the practical part of this Epistle, St. Paul adopts a tone of gentle and affectionate persuasion. He might have addressed his readers as disciples, and have used towards them the language of authority and command. But, on the contrary, he calls them his "brethren," and he "beseeches," entreats them, as employing the appeals of love to enforce the precepts of duty. At the same time, his language implies that compliance with his admonitions is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 12:1

The living sacrifice. In the oldest records that can be found of the various nations of the earth, sacrifice is always found to have formed part of their religious services. Thus we find an idea universally existing that something was needed to obtain pardon for guilt, and to express gratitude to the supreme being or beings whom they regarded as the givers and benefactors of their life. But it is only when we come to the religion of Israel that we find the idea of sacrifice having any... read more

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Romans 12:1-2

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 12:1

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 12:2

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 12:1

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 12:2

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 12:1

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 12:2

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 12:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 12:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 12:1

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