Romans 12:1-2 ESV

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 12:1

"A living sacrifice." The text suggests to us the spiritual teacher's platform. He does not so much command or threaten as "beseech his brethren." Various terms are, indeed, used in the Authorized Version to translate the word παρακαλέω . But the feature of the word is speaking to some one for a particular purpose, to get him to do or refrain from something, to help him in difficulty or console him under trouble. The Saviour is spoken of in John's Epistle as our "Advocate," our... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 12:1-2

The living sacrifice. The great argument of the Epistle to the Romans is to the effect that God's favour is not to be earned, but accepted, and this is justification by faith. The earlier chapters dealt with this; and the apostle now proceeds to a development of the doctrine which completely reverses the old ideas. Judaism sought mercy by sacrifice and service; St. Paul teaches that God seeks man's true sacrifice and service by showing mercy. We are to come to him, not that he may love us... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 12:1-3

Individualism. After the lengthened exposition of the Divine "mercies" given in the preceding eleven chapters, the apostle feels himself in a position to apply the truth and enforce Christian morals. He accordingly proceeds to base his exhortation upon the "mercies of God," and the flint matter he urges is becoming individuality. These brethren at Rome ought to dedicate themselves as living sacrifices unto God, realizing how reasonable such a service is, and exhibiting due unworldliness of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 12:2

And be not conformed to (rather, fashioned after; the verb is συσχηματίζεσθαι this world; but be ye transformed (the verb here is μεταμορφοῦσθαι ) by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove (or, discern ) what is the will of God, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. (So, rather than as in the Authorized Version; the epithets acceptable and perfect not being properly applicable to the will of God; and the translation given above being close to the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 12:2

Spiritual transformation. The Apostle Paul was great both in theoretical and in practical thought. Truth and duty were equally his themes. He could introduce new ideas into men's minds, and that with a force which made the ideas part of the minds into which they were introduced. And, at the same time, he could show the bearing of the grandest ideas upon the commonest actions and the homeliest life. This is a combination of qualities not always found even in the greatest of men. It was... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 12:2

The two likenesses. The exhortation contained in this verse regards the human mind as impressionable, pliable, susceptible. It is especially addressed to Christians. There are two forms which seek to impress themselves upon the Christian, and the image of which every Christian bears in greater or less degree. The one is likeness to the world; the other is likeness to God. I. LIKENESS TO THE WORLD . Against this the apostle warns the Christian: "Be not conformed to this world." ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 12:2

Christian character a metamorphosis. Advice as to conduct, in order to be complete, should be both negative and positive in exhortation; it should say what ought to be done as well as what ought to be avoided. Christianity repels from evil and attracts to goodness. He runs best who not only flees from peril, but knows the refuge for which to shape his course. I. NOT THE FASHION OF THE AGE , BUT THE WILL OF GOD , IS THE TRUE STANDARD OF DUTY . The... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Romans 12:1

I beseech you - The apostle, having finished the argument of this Epistle, proceeds now to close it with a practical or hortatory application, showing its bearing on the duties of life, and the practical influence of religion. None of the doctrines of the gospel are designed to be cold and barren speculations. They bear on the hearts and lives of people; and the apostle therefore calls on those to whom he wrote to dedicate themselves without reserve unto God.Therefore - As the effect or result... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Romans 12:2

And be not conformed ... - The word rendered “conformed” properly means to put on the form, fashion, or appearance of another. It may refer to anything pertaining to the habit, manner, dress, style of living, etc., of others.Of this world - τῷ αἰῶνι τούτῳ tō aiōni toutō. The word which is commonly rendered “world,” when applied to the material universe, is κόσμος kosmos, “cosmos.” The word used here properly denotes an age, or generation of people. It may denote a particular... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Romans 12:1

Romans 12:1. I beseech you therefore, brethren Paul uses to suit his exhortations to the doctrines he has been delivering. So here the general exhortation to universal holiness, grounded on, and inferred from, the whole of the preceding part of the epistle, is contained in the first and second verses. Particular advices and precepts follow from the third verse to the end of the epistle. By the mercies Δια των οικτιρμων , the bowels of mercies, or tender mercies of God The whole... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 12:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 12:1-2

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 12:1-3

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 12:2

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 12:2

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 12:2

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 12:2

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Romans 12:1

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Romans 12:2

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Romans 12:1

Group of Brands