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“do not conform to the pattern of this world”

Greek New Testament Romans 12:2

Romans 12:2 uses two different Greek words for 'form.' Syschēmatizesthe — from syn (with) + schēma (outward, changeable form) — describes the conformity to be avoided. Metamorphousthe — from morphē (essential, inner form) — describes the transformation to be embraced. The English uses none of these distinctions.

The word itself

συσχηματίζω syschēmatizō

Lexicon citation

BDAG s.v. συσχηματίζω: to form according to a pattern or mold, to conform. From schēma — outward, changeable form (as opposed to morphē — essential inner form).

Two Greek words for “form”

Classical and Koine Greek distinguish between two related but distinct words for “form”:

  • Schēma (σχῆμα) — outward, changeable, visible form. The shape something appears in. Surface configuration.
  • Morphē (μορφή) — essential, inner, defining form. What something fundamentally is.

Modern English typically renders both as “form,” “shape,” or “appearance” — with no built-in distinction. The Greek treats them as different.

In Romans 12:2 Paul deliberately uses both, in opposition.

The verse

Romans 12:2 (BSB):

Do not be conformed [syschēmatizesthe] to this world, but be transformed [metamorphousthe] by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

Greek verbBuilt fromWhat it covers
syschēmatizōsyn (with) + schēmaTake on the same outward, changeable form
metamorphoōmeta (change) + morphēChange in essential, inner form

Paul is naming two levels of form and giving opposite instructions about each. Do not be conformed at the outward level — do not be pressed into the same mould as this age. Do be transformed at the inner essential level — be remade.

”This world” or “this age”?

The Greek phrase is tō aiōni toutō — “this age.” Not kosmos (world, universe) but aiōn (age, era, epoch). Paul elsewhere distinguishes “this age” from “the age to come” (Romans 8:38, 1 Corinthians 1:20, 2:6, 2:8).

The conformity Paul warns against is temporal — being shaped by the values of the current era — not spatial (the physical world). The English “world” is ambiguous; it can mean cosmos or age. The Greek is specific to age.

What the schēma / morphē distinction does

Reading the verse with the distinction in view:

Outward conformity (schēma):

  • The fashions, opinions, structures, and assumptions of the present age
  • Things that change from era to era
  • Surface configurations of life that mirror dominant cultural patterns

Inner transformation (morphē):

  • The essential character of the believer
  • Deep-structural change, not surface adjustment
  • The kind of transformation visible at the Transfiguration (same verb)

Paul is not saying “be different on the outside.” He is saying do not let your outward life be pressed into the mould of this age, and do let yourself be inwardly remade. The two work in opposite directions and at different levels.

Why the English flattens this

Most English translations render both verbs with “conform” / “transform” or similar. The Greek roots — schēma vs morphē — disappear. Some translations attempt to recover the distinction with “fashion” (KJV: “be not conformed to this world… but be ye transformed”) which preserves a hint of the surface/depth contrast, but the Greek root distinction is essentially invisible in standard English Bibles.

For the partner verb in the same verse, see our entry on metamorphousthe.