The Greek word suschematizo (which can be translated “conforming to an external pattern”) means to personally mold yourself according to the pattern of this world. Another way to translate “pattern” is “matrix.”
put it this way: “This verb speaks of an outward conforming, that which is external and does not represent what is on the inside. So when a believer conforms to the fallen world’s standard, this external does not represent the new creation on the inside of the believer.”
In other words, Paul is asking believers to stop wearing a mask that looks like the matrix of the world; knowing that the world is constantly trying to get us to conform with it. This way of living keeps us in bondage to the matrix and doesn’t allow who Christ has made us to be transform us.
Paul then contrasts this with the life-giving way to live, which is to be transformed through the renewing of our minds. The Greek word metamorphous is translated here as “transformed.” We get the word metamorphosis from this Greek word, which means change that begins from the inside and works its way throughout to completely change the person.
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