Romans 12:2

Do not be conformed ¹  to this present world, ²  but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may test and approve ³  what is the will of God – what is good and well-pleasing and perfect.

Ex 23:2; Le 18:29,30; De 18:9-14; Ps 19:7-11; Ps 34:8; Ps 51:10; Ps 119:47,48,72,97,103,128,174; Pr 3:1-4; Pr 3:13-18; Eze 18:31; Eze 36:26; Joh 7:7; Joh 14:30; Joh 15:19; Joh 17:14; Ro 7:12,14,22; Ro 12:1; Ro 13:14; 1Co 3:19; 2Co 4:4; 2Co 5:17; 2Co 6:14-17; Ga 1:4; Ga 5:22-23; Eph 1:18; Eph 2:2; Eph 4:17-20; Eph 4:22-24; Eph 5:9; Eph 5:10,17; Col 1:21,22; Col 3:10; Col 4:12; 1Th 4:3; 2Ti 3:16,17; Tit 3:5; Jas 1:27; Jas 4:4; 1Pe 1:14,18; 1Pe 2:3; 1Pe 4:2; 2Pe 1:4; 2Pe 2:20; 1Jo 2:15-17; 1Jo 3:13; 1Jo 4:4,5; 1Jo 5:19; Re 12:9; Re 13:8

¹ 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.

² tn Grk “to this age.”

³ sn The verb translated test and approve (δοκιμάζω, dokimazw) carries the sense of “test with a positive outcome,” “test so as to approve.”