The first thing that we need to see is the word και (G2532) the Greek word for and. And is a connecting word joining the thought from verse one to verse two. And does not merely join the two verses it places verse one equal to verse two. And is defined by Webster thusly: a logical operator that requires both of two inputs to be present or two conditions to be met for an output to be made or a statement to be executed.[1] So we see that we must have the “present yourselves” and the “be not” in order to get to the “so that” in verse two.
Next we need to recognize is that it is possible for us to be conformed to this world. The word for not here is μη (G3361) and it supposes that there is a possibility for a thing to be or not to be, as opposed to ου (G3756) which is a definite negation of a thing being.
The word for conformed is συσχηματίζω (G4964) and is only used twice in the New Testament. Here in Romans 12:2 and in 1 Peter 1:14, both times it is preceded by μη. The main thought behind it is to be molded to the shape of a thing or to take on a form of a thing. By implication, the forces doing the molding are both external and internal.
In 1st Peter 1:14 we see that the forces are internal, the “former lusts which were yours in your ignorance”. And we read in James 1:14 “But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust.” Even Paul had trouble with this as he states in Romans 7:19 “For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want.”
In Galatians 5:19-21 we have a list of the deeds of the flesh. This is not an all inclusive list; we can surmise this from the words “such things” in verse 21. It may be helpful to examine this list in order to understand the snares placed before us.
[1]Merriam-Webster, I. (2003). Merriam-Webster's collegiate dictionary. Includes index. (Eleventh ed.). Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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