Romans 12:1-2

Read Romans 12:1-2 

Helpful Background Information:

• The book of Romans was written by the Apostle Paul around AD 55. He did this during his third missionary journey, while he was in Corinth, which is located in Greece. 

• Romans chapter 12 is the the beginning of an ethical exhortation that Paul gives the Romans after his extensive theological explanation of the gospel in chapters 1-11. Paul’s statement of “Therefore,” in verse 1, presents a switch, indicating the beginning of his explanation of how the Romans can live according to the gospel. 

• In verses 1-2, Paul uses the illustration of offerings and sacrifices to present his point about not conforming to the pattern of this world. Offerings and sacrifices of the day were done in temples for the sake of the god the sacrifices were meant to please. Paul is making this comparison to emphasize how God cares about what we do with our bodies as believers. He is saying that resisting the sin of the world, not only spiritually, but physically, is a form of worship before the Lord. 

Reflection Questions: (do this later)

• As this section of Scripture is small, take time to read, reread, and meditate on it and its meaning. How can your perspective on the world change because of the truth in these two verses? How does being a Christian change how you relate to the world?

• This passage talks about the renewing of your mind as a Christian. What role does Jesus and has Jesus played in the healing of how you think?

• These verses talk about how God cares about the physical world. Why does and why should God care about what you do with your body? How can you seek to worship God with your body?