Can someone help me with these passages in Romans (see additional details)?

Question

Romans 12:2 says 'do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind'

But then:

Romans 12:17b says 'Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.'

These seem to be contradicting statements. How do I conform my actions to the collective morals of the people in the world without conforming to the patterns of the world itself, especially since so many people seem to define what is right from the patterns of the world?

I just finished reading Romans, and it is a great book. I just have a few questions about some of the verses.

Thanks to those who gave valuable answers. I took your advice and looked it up in different translations. In both the Living Bible and the KJV, the word honest is used in place of 'right'. So, maybe what some of you are saying is that verse 2 says not to conform, but verse 17 elaborates and says to also keep my integrity, as a christian, in the eyes of others. Or at least be genuine. So, verse 17 isnt actually saying to conform to the morals of others, but rather conform to the 'unwritten' morals that lie in the hearts of all men, no matter how conformed they may be to the world.

Just FYI: for those who may think I am looking for contradictions, I'm not. It's just when I come across scripture that I don't understand, I make sure I tackle it before I go on. Many times i find scripture that seems to be contradicting. But, as I ask GOD for discernment and understanding, GOD always seems to give it to me, in different ways. (oftentimes through my fellow believers). Thanks again

BTW: there are so many good questions here, I don't know how I will be able to pick the best one. My hat goes off to all of you.

Answer 1

It is good that you question.

Paul wanted to be all thing to all people. This is why he is constantly contradicting himself.

Don't worry, the apostles, they people who actually knew Jesus were never too sure what he was talking about either.

The Romans liked his version of Christianity a lot better than the version that Jesus taught so it replaced Jesus' version and became the norm.

Don't take my word for it study your religious history and see for your self.

Love and blessings Don

Answer 2

Hi
I looked at the two verses that are in my King James Version.

ROMANS 12:2
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

ROMANS 12:17
17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

By looking at this I think you can see that it will be no contradiction at all. Just be a good Christian and use those attributes toward all men.
Hope this helps. E-mail me if you need more info.

p.s. I've been beginning to read Romans again. It is good.
I love how Paul starts to tell us that we fulfill the law through Jesus. And how by faith we are like our for-father Abraham the Gentile. YES isn't that great. He was a Gentile.

Blessings

Answer 3

I don't know what Bible version you were using, but the translation for v. 17b was not very good. In the King James Version, it reads 'Provide things honest in the sight of all men.' So that 'do what is right in the eyes of everybody' really means that you do Gods will (which is what is right) so that everyone can see you doing it and thereby glorify God.

I agree that Romans is a wonderful book. It is acctually one of my favorite books in the Bible. And when you run into somethings that seems to be a contradiction, it might help to go to another translation of the Bible because one thing might be translated more accurately in one than in the other.

Answer 4

No. It state clearly in the second verse that you should not copy the behavior of this world you should allow God to transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God want you to do and then you will know how good, perfect and pleasing God's will really is. Verse 17 tells you Not to pay back evil with evil and if you do anything you should do it in such a way that everybody can see you are a honorable person. God Bless

Answer 5

" Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world"- means do not live according world one day rule" Live now, there is no life after death"
I do not know what Bible you read, but in KJV Romans 12-17 says
Romans 12:17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
and

Romans 12:18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

So there is no contradictions here. You see sins od the world but you donot live according them. You live honest life and be peaceful with all men as much as you are able to.

Answer 6

If we read the whole of Romans 12:2 we know that the purpose of not conforming to the pattern of this world and to renew the mind is to prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God. This is matter of spiritual significance
In Romans 12:17 being careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody is exhorting us to not do anything offensive to anyone. This is a matter of courtesy to everybody to maintain good relationship.
It is quite common for the Apostle Paul in his letters to deal with our relationship with God in the earlier part of the chapter and our relationship with our fellow men in the latter part.

Answer 7

The pattern of this world is a mind set that doesn't acknowledge God or look past this life to a judgment or eternal life to come. It is exemplified in the phrase "eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we may die".

Doing what is right in the eyes of everybody acknowledges that mankind has a God given conscience and so people know innately that some things like murder and stealing are just wrong. It is also modified by the principle of obeying the laws of the land unless they are in direct conflict with God's laws.

Answer 8

I see those Scriptures as saying;
Concern yourself with the study of God's word, the renewing of your mind, body and soul to His service.
But we must also obey the laws of the land in which we live.
Another example would be a man at work, the guys are passing around the latest issue of some girlie mag. do we conform to the world and join those men looking at the mag. or do we be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.
They know we are a Christian, are we doing what a Christian should do?

Answer 9

Ah, the age-old quesion- how to be "in" the world, but not "of" the world.....

Verse 2--
I think that "conforming to the pattern of this world" may refer to allowing yourself to be ruled by the more base emotions we all have- greed, lust, apathy toward others...

Instead, we are encouraged to be ransformed by the renewing of our minds. The gospel of Jesus Christ encourages us to be led by the Holy Ghost and charity... live by love-- for God and for our fellow man, instead of allowing these selfish emotions govern our choices.


Verse 17--
Here's an alternate translation that may help... KJV says, "Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men." In other words, no matter what "the world" says about every man for himself, be kind and honest.




If you think about it that way, there is no contradiction. As Christians, our behavior needs to be above reproach. Yes, I see the contradiction there- we're still human and flawed. Guess that's the beauty of Grace. We do our best, and Jesus makes up the rest.

Answer 10

Rom 12:7 says (NIV)
"Do not repay anyone evil for evil; be concerned for what is noble in the sight of all.'

Rom 12:2 Should be clear. Rely on God influence and not the worlds influence to get you through the day.Ones mind will go through a transformation as you practice doing this.

As far as 12:17 the NIV I think clears it up. There is an unwritten standard of nobleness. That's what we need to strive for, so no one can criticize you for being a bad Christan.

For example,suppose someone cursed me out, if I responded with my own choice of words, that wouldn't be noble would it?