Exegesis On Romans 12: 1-2

Exegesis of Romans 12: 1-2

In this exegesis I am going to say about what I believe on the passage founded in Roman 13:1-2 related to “Paul understands of worship and non conformity with the world”

Firstble, let me say that an exegesis paper provides a standardised, scholarly and critical interpretation of a written text. The following exegesis examines Paul’s words in Romans 12: 1-2, Paul’s letter to the church at Rome.“Therefore I urge your brethren, by the mercies of God to provide your bodies a living sacrifice acceptable to God that is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind so that t you may prove that what the will of God is that which is good acceptable and perfect.” Paul shifts in chapter 12 from creed to conduct, from doctrine to duty and from belief to behavior. Paul urges us live out our beliefs. The scripture marks the transition from expository to hortatory discourse.

Paul when wrote this passage he used an unusual expression he was trying to make people of Roman to understand more that Romans should give their body or heart to God as

a living sacrifice. He was using an unusual expression with a good language so they can understand by emphasizing that because of the mercy of god, because of the grace of god. I beg you to give your body as a living sacrifice.
Romans 12:1“I urge you, therefore,” indicating a change from the expository to the exhortation doctrine “present your body” this is translated to mean what Christians should do in response to doing in response to God. The word “therefore” is a call to arms for the most important part of the doctrine.“I urge you brethren’s by the word of God” is a plea instead of a command to exhort the readers. Paul acts as a Christian coach who encourages the Christians to achieve a particular goal. Paul speaks as Christian Brother to fellow Christian brothers and urges us to respond to the mercies of God and response to Gods mercies Paul urges us to present our bodies which implies to gladly and willingly offer oneself. He does not imply that we surrender our bodies that are also biblical terms. God is asking us to present our bodies as a sacrifice for his use. This is an appeal to those who have been saved by his grace to live in his grace by presenting all they are to God.
“As a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God” these words are used by Paul to denote the three features of our sacrifice. First the word living is taken to mean that the believers are called to be a sacrifice from a living sacrifice. Secondly, ‘holy” means one has to be fully devoted to belonging to God and ensure that holiness is upheld for we are commanded to be holy as God himself is holy. What is regarded as holy is what offered without blemish to God? Finally is the term “acceptable” brings in the concept of sacrifice to please God. God is pleased when believers offer their bodies as a living sacrifice. Further, Paul states that by presenting one’s body as living sacrifice one has achieved their “ spiritual service of worship” by this Paul meant that being a sinful being, if you consider what God has done for you the only lucid response to offer to him is to present your life to him. The death of the Lamb of God taking away the sin of the world swept all the sinful beings to the altar of God giving them a whole new chance of redeeming themselves. Believers can present their bodies as a living sacrifice by seeking ministry opportunities and resolving to make worship a priority. If we look in Old Testament we found that people were giving sacrifice of an animal (burnt offering) to God as an offer on the altar so it can be acceptable to God. (Romans The Freedom Letter p69, 1977)
Romans 12: 2 “renew your mind” presentable bodies go hand in hand with transformed minds.

This second verse bears two commands. First in continuation from verse 1 Paul states that “and do not be conformed to this world,” not by a mere outward disconformity of the ungodly world whose most actions may be virtuous and praiseworthy. The inward change made life a whole worth new and considered as a whole.This means that we should not be molded in accordance to the ways of the world. Paul was writing to the church, but verse speaks specifically to individuals. The second part of the verse “but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” by filling ourselves with godly thinking. The Spirit of God transforms us and allows us to offer ourselves completely to

God.
By presenting our body and renewing our mind we “prove that the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect” denotes rational worship where the worship offered by the believer is appropriate and acceptable. Paul has thus changed worship from an act only in the temple to the design of life. The main word is proving. Paul does not talk about finding Gods will, but he affirms that he can prove gods will. God wants believers to offer their mind and bodies. Paul states that the will of God is good, acceptable and unchangeably good demanding that only God has eternal gratification and is perfect. These words serve as the most strategic words ever written in the history of humanity. Paul’s words in Rom 12:1-2 are capable of leading God’s people to victory.