Romans 12:2 in Context
Romans 12:2 read in its full chapter context. See the verses before and after, plus historical setting and flow of thought.
"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."
— Romans 12:2 (KJV)
Where This Verse Sits
Romans 12:2 appears in Romans chapter 12, verse 2. Paul wrote this around AD 57. Romans 12 marks a shift from theology (chapters 1-11) to practical living. Roman culture valued conformity to imperial ideology, emperor worship, and pagan social norms. Paul's call to non-conformity was countercultural and potentially dangerous in a society where deviation invited suspicion and persecution.
The Verse Itself
"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."
— Romans 12:2 (KJV)
Flow of the Passage
To grasp Romans 12:2 fully, read it inside the surrounding paragraph. The verses before set up the argument, and the verses after show its outworking. Romans 12 as a whole carries forward the theme of transformation, and this single verse is one beat in that larger movement.
Paul calls believers to resist the world's influence and instead be transformed from within through renewed thinking. This transformation enables us to discern God's will.
Cross-References
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