Romans 12:1
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
a. NLT: And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. [Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.]
b. NIV: Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. [Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.]
c. YLT: I call upon you, therefore, brethren, through the compassions of God, to present your bodies a sacrifice -- living, sanctified, acceptable to God -- your intelligent service; [The Young's Literal Translation was translated by Robert Young, who believed in a strictly literal translation of God's word. This version of the Bible is in the public domain.]
d. Amplified Bible: I appeal to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship. [Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC) Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation]
1. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God…”
a. I beseech [Strong: 3870 parakaléō, par-ak-al-eh'-o; from G3844 and G2564; to call near, i.e. invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation):—beseech, call for, (be of good) comfort, desire, (give) exhort(-ation), intreat, pray.]
b. you [Strong: 5209 humas, hoo-mas'; accusative case of G5210; you (as the objective of a verb or preposition):—ye, you (+ -ward), your (+ own).]
c. therefore [Strong: 3767 oûn, oon; apparently a primary word; (adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly:—and (so, truly), but, now (then), so (likewise then), then, therefore, verily, wherefore.]
d. brethren [Strong: 80 adelphós, ad-el-fos'; from G1 (as a connective particle) and δελφύς delphýs (the womb); a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like G1):—brother.]
e. by [Strong: 1223 diá, dee-ah'; a primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional):—after, always, among, at, to avoid, because of (that), briefly, by, for (cause) … fore, from, in, by occasion of, of, by reason of, for sake, that, thereby, therefore, × though, through(-out), to, wherefore, with (-in).]
f. the [Strong: 3588. [tōn] ὁ ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.] [Thayer: [tōn] ὁ, ἡ, τό, originally τος, τῇ, τό (as is evident from the forms τοι, ται for οἱ, αἱ in Homer and the Ionic writings), corresponds to our definite article the (German der, die, das), which is properly a demonstrative pronoun, which we see in its full force in Homer, and of which we find certain indubitable traces also in all kinds of Greek prose, and hence also in the N. T.] [Additional variants: tē, hoi, oi, tēn, ta, tēs, tois, tais, tō, tōn, tou, hé, Hē, hē, hai, tas.]
g. mercies [Strong: 3628 oiktirmós, oyk-tir-mos'; from G3627; pity:—mercy.]
h. [Strong: 3588. [tou] ὁ ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.] [Thayer: [tou] ὁ, ἡ, τό, originally τος, τῇ, τό (as is evident from the forms τοι, ται for οἱ, αἱ in Homer and the Ionic writings), corresponds to our definite article the (German der, die, das), which is properly a demonstrative pronoun, which we see in its full force in Homer, and of which we find certain indubitable traces also in all kinds of Greek prose, and hence also in the N. T.] [Additional variants: tē, hoi, oi, tēn, ta, tēs, tois, tais, tō, tōn, tou, hé, Hē, hē, hai, tas.]
i. [of God [Strong: 2316 theós, theh'-os; of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with G3588) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very:—X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward).]
1). God is the Father of mercies.
a). 2 Corinthians 1:3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of Mercies, and the God of all comfort;
2). It is because of the mercy of God that we are saved.
a). Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
3). It is because of the mercy of God that we are not consumed:
a). Lamentations 3:22 It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
b). We will make mistakes, we will sin, even though we don’t have to, but we should not get under condemnation because the mercy of God is renewed every morning (Lamentations 3:23). If we sin, we do not cast away our confidence: Hebrews 4:14; Jesus is sensitive to my and your weaknesses: Hebrews 4:15; He partook of humanity in order to be a merciful and faithful high priest: Hebrews 2:17, 18. We can come confidently unto the throne of grace and find mercy and grace in times of need: Hebrews 4:16.
4). It seems Paul is using the mercy of God as leverage to encourage us to present our bodies to God in obedience. Because you are saved you ought to do this.
2. “…that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice…”
a. that ye present [Strong: 3936 parístēmi, par-is'-tay-mee; from G3844 and G2476; to stand beside, i.e. (transitively) to exhibit, proffer, (specially), recommend, (figuratively) substantiate; or (intransitively) to be at hand (or ready), aid:—assist, bring before, command, commend, give presently, present, prove, provide, shew, stand (before, by, here, up, with), yield.]
1). The Greek word for “present” in Romans 12:1 is the same Greek word in two other passages in Romans.
a). Romans 6:13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
b). Romans 6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey , his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
c). Whoever I am consistently obedient to, I am presenting myself as a sacrifice to them, as their weapon, and as their servant.
2). In the New Covenant I am the priest and I am the sacrifice, and I offer myself: Romans 12:1.
a). 1 Peter 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
3). The Greek word for “present” in Romans 12:1, paristemi, is also used in 2 Timothy 2:15.
a). 2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
b). To “shew” is the same Greek word. To “shew” ourselves “approved unto God” in 2 Timothy 2 is one of three things Paul tells Timothy to do, with the result being Timothy will be a “vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use.”
4). The use of this word is not in conjunction with anything to do with salvation, but it is used to demonstrate what consecration to God looks like and what it will result in.
b. your [Strong: 5216 humōn, hoo-mone'; genitive case of G5210; of (from or concerning) you:—ye, you, your (own, -selves).]
c. [Strong: 3588. [ta] ὁ ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.] [Thayer: [ta] ὁ, ἡ, τό, originally τος, τῇ, τό (as is evident from the forms τοι, ται for οἱ, αἱ in Homer and the Ionic writings), corresponds to our definite article the (German der, die, das), which is properly a demonstrative pronoun, which we see in its full force in Homer, and of which we find certain indubitable traces also in all kinds of Greek prose, and hence also in the N. T.] [Additional variants: tē, hoi, oi, tēn, ta, tēs, tois, tais, tō, tōn, tou, hé, Hē, hē, hai, tas.]
d. bodies [Strong: 4983 sōma, so'-mah; from G4982; the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively:—bodily, body, slave.]
e. [a] living [Strong: 2198 záō, dzah'-o; a primary verb; to live (literally or figuratively):—life(-time), (a-)live(-ly), quick.]
f. sacrifice [Strong: 2378 * thusia] [Strong: from 2380; sacrifice (the act or the victim, literally or figuratively):--sacrifice.]
1). We can see an abundance of beautiful types and foreshadows of “a living sacrifice” in the regulations concerning the burnt offering in Leviticus 1.
a). Leviticus 1:1-9 And the LORD called unto Moses, and spake unto him out of the tabernacle of the congregation, saying,
1:2 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, If any man of you bring an offering unto the LORD, ye shall bring your offering of the cattle, even of the herd, and of the flock.
1:3 If his offering be a burnt sacrifice of the herd, let him offer without blemish: he shall offer it of his own voluntary will at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the LORD.
1:4 And he shall put his hand upon the head of the burnt offering; and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him.
1:5 And he shall kill the bullock before the Lord: and the priests, Aaron's sons, shall bring the blood, and sprinkle the blood round about upon the altar that is by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
1:6 And he shall flay the burnt offering, and cut it into his pieces.
1:7 And the sons of Aaron the priest shall put fire upon the altar, and lay the wood in order upon the fire:
1:8 And the priests, Aaron's sons, shall lay the parts, the head, and the fat, in order upon the wood that is on the fire which is upon the altar:
1:9 But his inwards and his legs shall he wash in water: and the priest shall burn all on the altar, to be a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the Lord.
b). Leviticus 1:4 And he shall put his hand upon the head of the burnt offering; and it shall be accepted for him to make an atonement for him.
(1) Identification: 2 Corinthians 5:21.
c). Leviticus 1:5-8 And he shall kill the bullock before the LORD: and the priests, Aaron’s sons, shall bring the blood, and sprinkle the blood round about upon the altar that is by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
1:6 And he shall flay the burnt offering, and cut it into his pieces.
1:7 And the sons of Aaron the priest shall put fire upon the altar, and lay the wood in order upon the fire:
1:8 And the priests, Aaron’s sons, shall lay the parts, the head, the fat, in order upon the wood that is on the fire which is upon the altar:
(1) The one offering the sacrificer kills the animal while the priest catches and sprinkles the blood. The person offering the sacrifice flays the offering and cuts it up into pieces, and the priests lay the pieces upon the altar. In like manner, under the New Covenant we prepare and present our own bodies to be the sacrifice.
d ). Leviticus 1:9 But his inwards and his legs shall he wash in water: and the priest shall burn all on the altar, to be a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savor unto the LORD.”
(1) The person giving the offering washes the inwards and the legs in water and the complete animal is consumed by fire. Under the New Covenant we go through a similar process. There is a washing, a cleansing that must be a regular habit in the believers relationship with Christ Jesus, accomplished by daily consecration and obedience to His word.
(2) Hebrews 10:22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from a evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
(3) Psalm 119:9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according thy word.
(4) Ephesians 5:26, 27 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
5:27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
3. “…holy…”
a. holy [Strong: 40 hágios, hag'-ee-os; from ἅγος hágos (an awful thing) (compare G53, G2282); sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated):—(most) holy (one, thing), saint.] [Zodhiates: It’s fundamental idea is separation, consecration, devotion to the service of God; sharing in God’s purity and abstaining from earths defilement.]
1). Isaiah 52:11 Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean
thing; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the LORD.
a). 2 Corinthians 6:17-2 Corinthians 7:1 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 6:18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh, and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
2). Under the Old Covenant if an offering had a blemish, it was not acceptable:
a). Leviticus 22:17-25 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
22:18 Speak unto Aaron, and to his sons, and unto all the children of Israel, and say unto them, Whatsoever he be of the house of Israel, or of the strangers in Israel, that will offer his oblation for all his vows, and for all his freewill offerings, which they will offer unto the Lord for a burnt offering;
22:19 Ye shall offer at your own will a male without blemish, of the beeves, of the sheep, or of the goats.
22:20 But whatsoever hath a blemish, that shall ye not offer: for it shall not be acceptable for you.
22:21 And whosoever offereth a sacrifice of peace offerings unto the Lord to accomplish his vow, or a freewill offering in beeves or sheep, it shall be perfect to be accepted; there shall be no blemish therein.
22:22 Blind, or broken, or maimed, or having a wen, or scurvy, or scabbed, ye shall not offer these unto the Lord, nor make an offering by fire of them upon the altar unto the Lord.
22:23 Either a bullock or a lamb that hath any thing superfluous or lacking in his parts, that mayest thou offer for a freewill offering; but for a vow it shall not be accepted.
22:24 Ye shall not offer unto the Lord that which is bruised, or crushed, or broken, or cut; neither shall ye make any offering thereof in your land.
22:25 Neither from a stranger's hand shall ye offer the bread of your God of any of these; because their corruption is in them, and blemishes be in them: they shall not be accepted for you.
b). Likewise, under the New Covenant, we as individuals are to be without blemish:
(1) Philippians 2:12-15 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
2:14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
2:15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
(2) The Greek word for “blameless” in verse 15 is amomos, it means ‘without blemish’.)
4. “…acceptable unto God…”
a. acceptable [Strong: 2101 euárestos, yoo-ar'-es-tos; from G2095 and G701; fully agreeable:—acceptable(-ted), wellpleasing.]
1). 2 Corinthians 5:9, 10 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted (euarestos- well pleasing) of him.
5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
a). We can be acceptable only in Christ Jesus.
(1) 1 Peter 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
b). Jesus is our Mediator
(1) 1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
c). Therefore everything has to be done in his name.
(1) Colossians 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
b. [Strong: 3588. [tō] ὁ ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.] [Thayer: [tō] ὁ, ἡ, τό, originally τος, τῇ, τό (as is evident from the forms τοι, ται for οἱ, αἱ in Homer and the Ionic writings), corresponds to our definite article the (German der, die, das), which is properly a demonstrative pronoun, which we see in its full force in Homer, and of which we find certain indubitable traces also in all kinds of Greek prose, and hence also in the N. T.] [Additional variants: tē, hoi, oi, tēn, ta, tēs, tois, tais, tō, tōn, tou, hé, Hē, hē, hai, tas.]
c. [unto] God [Strong: 2316 theós, theh'-os; of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with G3588) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very:—X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward).]
5. “…which is your reasonable service.”
a. [which is] your [Strong: 5216 humōn, hoo-mone'; genitive case of G5210; of (from or concerning) you:—ye, you, your (own, -selves).]
b. reasonable [Strong: 3050 logikós, log-ik-os'; from G3056; rational ("logical"):—reasonable, of the word.] [Zodhiates: Pertaining to reason.(In Romans 12:1 the “reasonable service” or worship is to be understood as that service to God which implies intelligent meditation or reflection…” .] [Vines: “The sacrifice is to be intelligent, in contrast to those offered by ritual and compulsion; the presentation is to be in accordance with the spiritual intelligence of those who are new creatures in Christ and are mindful of the mercies of God.”]
1). 1 Peter 1:14-16 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
1:15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
1:15 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
2). Ephesians 4:17, 18 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,
4:18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:
c. service [Strong: 2999 latreía, lat-ri'-ah; from G3000; ministration of God, i.e. worship:—(divine) service.]
1). This requirement of total ownership and possession by God is reasonable in light of the fact we are not our own, God has purchased us.
a). 1 Corinthians 6:19, 20 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
