Word Pictures in the New Testament - David Cox

Word Pictures in the NT [Romans: Chapter 12].
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12:1 {Therefore} (\oun\). This inferential participle gathers up
all the great argument of chapters 1-11. Now Paul turns to
exhortation (\parakal•\), "I beseech you." {By the mercies} (\dia
t•n oiktirm•n\). "By means of the mercies of God" as shown in his
argument and in our lives. See 2Co 1:3 for "the Father of
mercies." {To present} (\parast•sai\). First aorist active
infinitive of \parist•mi\, for which verb see 6:13, a technical
term for offering a sacrifice (Josephus, _Ant_. IV. 6, 4), though
not in the O.T. Used of presenting the child Jesus in the temple
(Lu 2:22), of the Christian presenting himself (Ro 6:13), of
God presenting the saved (Eph 5:27), of Christ presenting the
church (Col 1:28). {Bodies} (\s•mata\). So literally as in
6:13,19; 2Co 5:10 and in contrast with \nous\ (mind) in verse
2. {A living sacrifice} (\thusian z•san\). In contrast with the
Levitical sacrifices of slain animals. Cf. 6:8,11,13. Not a
propitiatory sacrifice, but one of praise. {Acceptable}
(\euareston\). "Well-pleasing." See on ¯2Co 5:9. {Which is your
reasonable service} (\t•n logik•n hum•n latreian\). "Your
rational (spiritual) service (worship)." For \latreia\, see on
¯9:4. \Logikos\ is from \logos\, reason. The phrase means here
"worship rendered by the reason (or soul)." Old word, in N.T.
only here and 1Pe 2:2 \to logikon gala\ (not logical milk, but
the milk nourishing the soul).
12:2 {Be not fashioned} (\m• sunsch•matizesthe\). Present passive
imperative with \m•\, stop being fashioned or do not have the
habit of being fashioned. Late Greek verb \susch•matiz•\, to
conform to another's pattern (1Co 7:31; Php 2:7f.). In N.T.
only here and 1Pe 1:14. {According to this world} (\t•i ai•ni
tout•i\). Associative instrumental case. Do not take this age as
your fashion plate. {Be ye transformed} (\metamorphousthe\).
Present passive imperative of \metamorpho•\, another late verb,
to transfigure as in Mt 17:2 (Mr 9:2); 2Co 3:18, which see.
On the distinction between \sch•ma\ and \morph•\, see Php 2:7.
There must be a radical change in the inner man for one to live
rightly in this evil age, "by the renewing of your mind" (\t•i
anakain•sei tou noos\). Instrumental case. The new birth, the new
mind, the new (\kainos\) man. {That ye may prove} (\eis to
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Word Pictures in the New Testament
(Romans: Chapter 12)