The Bible could have translated it that way! Instead Romans 12:2 usually reads “be changed” or “be transformed by the renewal of your mind” but they could have written “be transfigured.” It’s the same word in the Greek!

The Greek the word is Strongs #G3339 – “metamorphoo.” Our word metamorphosis is related to it. This power packed word is only used five times in the New Testament and three of those times describe what happened to Jesus during a supernatural encounter when he met with Moses and Elijah on a mountain top in view of three of his disciples. Jesus face shown like the sun. Father God spoke. Jesus’ disciples became terrified and fell on their faces. That’s the word being used! The other two times the word is used, it’s translated as “transformed” and it’s directed toward believers. We are instructed to receive transformation from the LORD.

Let’s expand our understanding of this amazing word. It’s describing metamorphosis of soul; making God’s kids into people of excellence, beautiful, pure and holy; perhaps barely recognizable in comparison with the way folks started out. We’re not talking about just a wee bit of change here and there, a new idea or two. Transformation is to receive an entire makeover; day by day becoming a mature new creation reality, a mature son, more and more displaying the character of Christ, walking out his heart, mind and actions in the way we live our lives.

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