Devine Scripture

Romans 12:2

What does Romans 12:2 mean?

A plain-English look at Romans 12:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Romans 12:2 means

Believers must refuse to let the present age shape their values and patterns. Instead, they are to be transformed by a renewed mind—a change in thinking that reshapes desires, choices, and conduct. Renewed thinking enables discernment: testing and approving what God’s will is in real situations. God’s will is good, fit to be embraced, and whole—lacking nothing. This transformation is God’s work by His Spirit through His Word, yet we actively engage it. The contrast is stark: conformity to the world’s mold, or a new life in step with God’s purposes. The Christian’s ongoing worship includes this daily, intelligent yielding to God’s revealed will.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And be not fashioned according to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And be not fashioned according to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And let not your behaviour be like that of this world, but be changed and made new in mind, so that by experience you may have knowledge of the good and pleasing and complete purpose of God.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

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.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

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.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of [your] mind, that ye may prove what [is] the good and acceptable and perfect will ofGod.

Context

Flowing from the call to be a living sacrifice, verse 2 shows the inner dynamic: a mind renewed, not conformed. It explains how we live out verse 1—by discernment, not mere rule-keeping. Next, verses 3–8 will apply this renewed mindset to life in the church, especially humility and the right use of diverse gifts. Seeing the link helps us read the chapter as a coherent picture: consecrated people, thinking God’s thoughts, serving one another, and embodying God’s will in community and beyond.

v.1I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service.

v.2This passage

v.3For I say, through the grace that was given me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but so to think as to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to each man a measure of faith.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Romans 13:14

    But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

  • Revelation 12:9

    And the great dragon was cast down, the old serpent, he that is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world; he was cast down to the earth, and his angels were cast down with him.

  • Revelation 13:8

    And all that dwell on the earth shall worship him, every one whose name hath not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb that hath been slain.

  • 1 Thessalonians 4:3

    For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye abstain from fornication;

  • Leviticus 18:29

    For whosoever shall do any of these abominations, even the souls that do them shall be cut off from among their people.

  • 1 John 5:19

    We know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in the evil one.

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