Welcome to another Greek Spot. We will continue our brief look at Romans 12:2. If you haven't yet seen our earlier post on this topic please go back and read it here:
http://likeflint.blogspot.com/2011/09/koine-greek-spot-3-romans-122-be.html
Lets take another look at the verse:
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect (Romans 12:2).
So Paul is telling the Romans not to be molded into the fashion of this age, but change form by renewing their minds. Now, I would like to focus your attention to just one word represented in English by the term "by the renewing". At its root in Greek, this word is "anakainosis"" (See the graphic above for the highlighted word as it appears in Greek in Romans 12:2). This word simply means "renewal". The Greek-English Lexicon (BDAG) says it can refer to the "spiritual rebirth". Interestingly, I found another reference which states that this is also a word that can be used in terms of renovation, like when one renovates their home.
So we could say that part of the new life in Christ involves renovating your mind like you might "reno" your house. Why? So you can test and approve what the will of God is, that which is good, pleasing and perfect. For me, this says we have an active role to perform in our new life. It's not a matter of "set & forget" it's a matter of running the race to win (1 Corinthians 9:24). I hope this might encourage you to dig further into His Word. It is full of wondrous blessings for us as we renew our minds and strive toward the prize of the upward call of God in Jesus Christ (Philippians 3:14).
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