Romans 12:2

Be not fashioned (mh sunschmatizesqe). Present passive imperative with mh, stop being fashioned or do not have the habit of being fashioned. Late Greek verb suschmatizw, to conform to another's pattern ( 1 Corinthians 7:31 ; Philippians 2:7 ). In N.T. only here and 1 Peter 1:14 . According to this world (twi aiwni toutwi). Associative instrumental case. Do not take this age as your fashion plate. Be ye transformed (metamorpousqe). Present passive imperative of metamorpow, another late verb, to transfigure as in Matthew 17:2 ( Mark 9:2 ); 2 Corinthians 3:18 , which see. On the distinction between schma and morph, see Philippians 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" (th anakainwsei tou noo). Instrumental case. The new birth, the new mind, the new (kaino) man. That ye may prove (ei to dokimazein). Infinitive of purpose with ei to, "to test" what is God's will, "the good and acceptable and perfect" (to agaqon kai euareston kai teleion).