Romans 1:20

1:20 For since the creation of the world his invisible attributes – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, because they are understood through what has been made. So people ¹  are without excuse.

Romans 12:2

12:2 Do not be conformed ²  to this present world, ³  but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may test and approve ⁴  what is the will of God – what is good and well-pleasing and perfect.

[1:20]  ¹ tn Grk “they”; the referent (people) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[12:2]  ² tn Although συσχηματίζεσθε (suschmatizesqe) could be either a passive or middle, the passive is more likely since it would otherwise have to be a direct middle (“conform yourselves”) and, as such, would be quite rare for NT Greek. It is very telling that being “conformed” to the present world is viewed as a passive notion, for it may suggest that it happens, in part, subconsciously. At the same time, the passive could well be a “permissive passive,” suggesting that there may be some consciousness of the conformity taking place. Most likely, it is a combination of both.

[12:2]  ³ tn Grk “to this age.”

[12:2]  ⁴ sn The verb translated test and approve (δοκιμάζω, dokimazw) carries the sense of “test with a positive outcome,” “test so as to approve.”