Romans 10:20
Context10:20 And Isaiah is even bold enough to say, “I was found by those who did not seek me; I became well known to those who did not ask for me.” 1
Romans 12:2
Context12:2 Do not be conformed 2 to this present world, 3 but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may test and approve 4 what is the will of God – what is good and well-pleasing and perfect.
1 sn A quotation from Isa 65:1.
2 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.
3 tn Grk “to this age.”
4 sn The verb translated test and approve (δοκιμάζω, dokimazw) carries the sense of “test with a positive outcome,” “test so as to approve.”