Language Studies

Greek Thoughts

LOGIKOS - Part 1
Rational, spiritual, pertaining to reason or logic

Λογικὸς (Strong's #3050), which is variously rendered in English translations as "reasonable," "rational," or "spiritual," is an adjective derived from the word λὸγος (Strong's #3056) which means, "word" or "speech." Its actual meaning has to do with dwelling upon words or the thought process with which a person reasons. Λογικὸς is found twice in the New Testament; consequently, we will spend two weeks looking at the verses containing this word. By gaining insight into its meaning, you will obtain tremendous understanding of the intimate relationship you as a believer have with the Lord.

This week's study focuses on Paul's use of Λογικὸς in Romans 12:1.

"I encourage you therefore, brothers, through the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, well pleasing to God, your reasoning process service." (Literal Translation)

The first key word in this verse is οὖν (Strong's #3767), which means "therefore." It is important because it indicates a pivotal point in the Book of Romans. The first part of the book, chapters 1-11, is Paul's doctrinal presentation of Christianity; how the Lord saved us, sanctified us, and the Lord's sovereignty. With the use of οὖν in Romans 12:1, Paul marks the division of the book by saying "therefore." With this pivotal word, Paul turns his attention from doctrine to an encouragement for response. He exhorts the brothers through the mercies of God to respond to what the Lord has done for them.

Paul instructs Christians "to present your bodies as a living sacrifice." He makes this statement in light of the Old Testament practice of offering dead sacrifices to God. In contrast to that practice, the believer's response is to present his body, not as a dead sacrifice, but as a living one. This living sacrifice is to be "holy"- set apart for the Lord's use, and "well pleasing" — doing those things with the body that are pleasing to Him. All of these things are accomplished through the decisions a believer makes.

The last phrase of this verse can best be translated, "...Whom you serve with your reasoning process." The picture Paul paints here is one of a living, intimate relationship between the believer and his Lord: the believer serves the Lord from out of his reasoning process, his free-will process of decision making, surrendering his body as a living sacrifice to the Lord; the Lord, in turn, involves Himself in each Christian's decision-making process. This intimate interaction between the Lord and each of his children is the reason Paul presents several important commands in the next verse.

"And stop continually being fashioned by this age, but be continually being transformed by the renewing of your mind, for you to prove what is the good and well pleasing and perfect will of God." Romans 12:2 (Literal Translation)

With the commands to "stop continually being fashioned by this age, and be continually being transformed by the renewing of your mind," Paul tells the believer that he is to stop allowing the age in which he lives to dictate how he will think and how he will act. Instead, the believer is to be "continually being transformed by the renewing of his mind..." The word used here for mind is νοῦς (Strong's #3563) and has to do with the perceptive abilities of the mind. Paul explains that the reason for the believer seeking to be transformed is "to prove what is the good and well pleasing and perfect will of God." The word for "to prove" is the Greek word δοκιμὰζω (Strong's # 1381) meaning "to approve or come to a conclusion after testing." The believer is to test all things and come to the conclusion as to what the Lord's will is in each of his life situations.

These verses paint a picture of the Christian growth process and show how each believer is to serve the Lord. The believer is to seek to be transformed by the renewing of the perceptive abilities of his mind. He does this so that he can put the issues of life to the test of God's Word, reasoning things out, seeking to perceive what the Lord's will is for each situation. This process is fundamental because the most intimate relationship with the Lord is expressed from out of the reasoning process.

Many modern believers place their trust in following rules and regulations rather than in experiencing a living relationship with the Lord. In order to avoid falling into this trap, we must understand that the Bible teaches the ultimate relationship with the Lord is expressed from a decision to present one's body for the Lord's use and glory; a decision made by reasoning through life's issues and perceiving what the Lord's will is in every life circumstance.

Next week we will continue this word study using 1 Peter 2:2. We will study Peter's understanding of Paul's teaching on "continually being transformed by the renewing of your minds."

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