Praise

Week2 Day2

Word Study

Sacrifice

The Rationale for Paul’s Appeal

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

Romans 12:1

I don’t know why someone chose to use the word “spiritual” when they translated this verse, but it has served to confuse a lot of people, including me. What is “spiritual” worship? I mean, I kind of get the concept, but why such a vague term?

Well, I have good news. The word that Paul uses there is the word from which we get our word “logic” or “logical.” It’s also translated “rational” and “reasonable.” Paul is saying, “Look, offering your body to God as a living sacrifice only makes sense. It’s the logical, intellectually rational response. Clear, reasonable thinking about the outpouring of God’s mercies into your life will lead you to respond by giving all of yourself to Him. To do anything other—that is, to give yourself half-heartedly or not at all—is illogical and supremely irrational.”

The first-century Stoic philosopher Epictetus once said, “If I were a nightingale, I would do what is proper to a nightingale, and if I were a swan, what is proper to a swan. In fact, I am logikos (a rational being), so I must praise God.”

Action Step:

Praise God