Discovery BoxRomans 1:20 
Context1:20 For since the creation of the world his invisible attributes – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, because they are understood through what has been made. So people 1 are without excuse.
Romans 3:19
Context3:19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under 2 the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world may be held accountable to God.
Romans 4:13
Context4:13 For the promise 3 to Abraham or to his descendants that he would inherit the world was not fulfilled through the law, but through the righteousness that comes by faith.
Romans 12:2
Context12:2 Do not be conformed 4 to this present world, 5 but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may test and approve 6 what is the will of God – what is good and well-pleasing and perfect.
1 tn Grk “they”; the referent (people) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
2 tn Grk “in,” “in connection with.”
3 sn Although a singular noun, the promise is collective and does not refer only to Gen 12:7, but as D. Moo (Romans 1-8 [WEC], 279) points out, refers to multiple aspects of the promise to Abraham: multiplied descendants (Gen 12:2), possession of the land (Gen 13:15-17), and his becoming the vehicle of blessing to all people (Gen 12:13).
4 tn Although συσχηματίζεσθε (suschmatizesqe) could be either a passive or middle, the passive is more likely since it would otherwise have to be a direct middle (“conform yourselves”) and, as such, would be quite rare for NT Greek. It is very telling that being “conformed” to the present world is viewed as a passive notion, for it may suggest that it happens, in part, subconsciously. At the same time, the passive could well be a “permissive passive,” suggesting that there may be some consciousness of the conformity taking place. Most likely, it is a combination of both.
5 tn Grk “to this age.”
6 sn The verb translated test and approve (δοκιμάζω, dokimazw) carries the sense of “test with a positive outcome,” “test so as to approve.”
