LEXICAL-GRAMMATICAL ANALYSIS OF ROMANS 12:2

CHRISTIAN LIFE BEHAVIOUR PERSEVERATION, TRANSFORMATION, AND HABITUATION

Abstract

This research proposes an understanding of Romans 12:2 in lexical-grammatical analysis. The focus of this research is the perseveration of the world’s values which is contrasted with the transformation of the mindset of believers by the Holy Spirit in the sanctifying process. The urgency of the research is motivated by the phenomenon of degradation of the life conduct of Christians who are indicated to experience cognitive dissonance towards the Christian faith. The method used in this research is descriptive qualitative using the literature study approach. Data analysis used lexical-grammatical analysis to find individual meaning and grammatical meaning. The results of this study are divided into three findings. First, the grammatical meaning of the word “μὴ συσχηματίζεσθε” is an imperative prohibition against the perseverance of believers in the expression of cognitive dissonance towards the values of the Christian faith. Second, the grammatical meaning of μεταμορφοῦσθε is the transformation of the mind that is done continuously by God for the change of believers’ life values. Third, the habituation of new life values is practical evidence of cognitive consonance that is congruent with God’s will. Further research recommended in this study is the historical context of the Book of Romans, the language style of the Book of Romans, and the role of the Holy Spirit in the process of sanctification in the Book of Romans.