Romans 12:1-2

Romans 12:1 f. Practical Holiness.— On his doctrine Paul grounds a moral homily.

Romans 12:1 . “ Therefore” covers the entire previous teaching. “ The compassions of God” link this paragraph to the last: the tenderness of the Divine mercy prompts to consecration, “ Present your bodies” recalls Romans 6:12 f.*; the demand for physical consecration arose from the prevalence of bodily sin ( cf. Romans 6:6 ; Romans 6:19, etc.). The body is made “ a living sacrifice” in the activities of daily duty. “ Rational service” (worship)— contrasted with the outward and mechanical ( cf. Romans 1:9, Php_3:3 )— implies intelligent practical devotion, the religion which makes work worship.

Romans 12:2 . The “ sacrifice” is defined by its opposite: “ No longer comply with the fashions of this age ( cf. Romans 1:18-Jonah :, etc.); but let there be a transformation in you, effected by the renovation of your mind.”—“ Fashion” is guise or habit of life; “ form,” the intrinsic mode of being ( cf. Php_2:6 f.*).—“ The mind” to be renewed is the reason (as in Romans 1:28, Romans 7:25)— mind in its essential powers. Such renovation qualifies one “ to discriminate what God wills” ( cf. Ephesians 5:17): His will is identified with “ the good and acceptable and perfect” ( mg.) , with that which approves itself to a true conscience; cf. Php_4:8 , etc.

On the above basis, first social ( Romans 12:3-Ecclesiastes :), then civil ( Romans 13:1-Judges :) duties are enjoined, all being summed up under the law of love ( Romans 13:8-2 Samuel :) and enforced by the urgency of the situation ( Romans 13:11-2 Chronicles :).