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Text Sermons : Greek Word Studies : Transformed (3339) metamorphoo

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Be transformed (3339) (metamorphoo from metá = denotes change of place or condition + morphoo = to form from morphe = form, shape referring to the essential form of a thing) has the basic meaning of changing into another form and is the term from which we get metamorphosis, which in biology denotes the amazing change of a lowly worm into a beautiful butterfly. So the change in view here is not a superficial fluctuation of fashion or conduct but a vital change revealing a new life. Metamorphoo describes Jesus' transfiguration in which His glory shined through His garments so that what Jesus really was on the inside was made manifest to Peter, John and James (Mt 17:2, Mk 9:2)

Metamorphoo describes the process by which that on the inside shows forth to the outside such that that everyone can see. In Romans 12:2 it describes an inward renewal of our mind through which our inner spirit is changed into the likeness of Christ.

The verb morphoo does not refer to what is outward and transient, but to what is inward and real and thus that which produces an outward expression which proceeds from and is truly representative of one’s inward character and nature. Hence on the Mount of Transfiguration the glory which was Jesus' essential and eternal inner divine nature, shone outward, for a brief time and to a limited degree. In a similar way, the believer's inner redeemed (divine - 2Pe 1:4-note) nature is to continually be manifest outwardly in our daily thoughts, words and deeds.

Metamorphoo is found 4x in the NT - Mt 17:12, Mk 9:2, Ro 12:2, 2Co 3:18 and is translated twice as transfigured and twice as transformed.


Matthew 17:2 And He was transfigured before them; and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light.

Mark 9:2 Six days later, Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John, and brought them up on a high mountain by themselves. And He was transfigured before them;

Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

2 Corinthians 3:18-note But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.
To be transformed describes a change on the outside that comes from the inside (an "inside job" so to speak). Paul is calling for an outward change in the character and conduct of the believer, which is to correspond with his or her inward spiritual condition. As someone has well said...

God loves us too much
to let us stay as we are.

Paul is saying that as we make the conscious presentation of our bodies to God, shun (Php 2:13NLT) the pressure to be squeezed into the world's mold, and allow God to renew our minds, then that which is on the inside begins to show forth outwardly so those around so that they see more and more of Christ in us the hope of glory (Col 1:27-note) and less and less of our self (cp similar spiritual dynamic in Jn 3:30).

The world seeks to change our mind, and thus exerts pressure from without. But the Holy Spirit desires to renew our mind and He does so from within as we take in the Word and obey truth illuminated in the Word (cp Jn 17:17). If the "liberated" thinking (deceptive thinking for they are in bondage, not at liberty) of this world system influences and controls your mind, you are a conformer. On the other hand, if God controls your thinking, you are a transformer. It is easy to have an external conduct that looks good, but an inward life and manner of thinking that is offensive to God (cf Titus 1:16-note; 1Jn 3:4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20). God's perfect righteousness and holiness is not satisfied with external piety that men see, but is more concerned about who we really are on the inside (cf Jas 1:26-note, James 1:27-note). Reputation is what others think about us. Character is what God knows is true about us. When God measures the character of a man or woman, He does not put the tape measure around their head but around their heart!

If you are continually being transformed by the joy of Christ in your heart, it will show on your face (cf Proverbs 15:13).

William Newell explains that...

to be "transformed" or "transfigured" into the image of Christ is the blessed path and portion of the surrendered believer in the midst of this present evil world...Note that neither in world-conformity, nor in Christian transformation, are we the actors (Ed note: that is, we are not the ones initiating this action): the verbs are passive, in both cases. It is, "Be not fashioned, " and "Be transformed." In the first case, Satan and the world have abundant power, they know to fashion anyone found willing. But how are we to be transformed? The answer is, By the renewing of your mind; and here we come again upon that wonderful part of our salvation which is carried on by the Holy Spirit; and we must look at it attentively. (Romans: Verse by Verse)

Harrison adds that...

Our pattern here is Christ, Who refused Satan's solicitations in the temptation and was transfigured (metamorphoo--the same word as that translated "transformed") in His acceptance of the path that led to Calvary (Mk 9:2, 3). As His mission could be summarized in the affirmation that He had come to do the Father's will Jn 6:38), the Christian's service can be reduced to this simple description also.

Paul knows that it is a moral axiom that we become like the gods we serve and so using metamorphoo he writes to the saints at Corinth explaining...

we all, with unveiled face beholding (present tense = continually. Some like the NIV favor this verb means reflecting, others like the NASB, KJV that it means to gaze upon) as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed (present tense = pictures a continual process; passive voice = indicates transformation is wrought by the Spirit) into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit." (2Cor 3:18-note)

If one takes the NASB, KJV renderings, the meaning is that as we continually gaze at the "mirror" of the Word of God, especially the Gospel, (cf, 2Cor 4:4) in which the glory of Christ is seen, the Spirit of Christ is progressively transforming us from one level of Christ likeness to another. This is another description of progressive sanctification (Click to see this sanctification or present tense salvation graphically displayed and contrasted with justification and glorification). The change “from glory to glory” that is the lot of believers under the New Covenant is such a wonderful contrast to the diminishing glory that Moses experienced under the Old Covenant (see Paul's explanation in 2 Corinthians 3).

What does it look like to be transformed? Here are some thoughts from A W Pink's book "The Holy Spirit"...

Here, then, are some of the principal effects produced by our being “changed,” or reformed, conformed, and transformed by the Spirit of God. There is a growing realization of the ineffable holiness of God and of the righteousness and spirituality of the Law, and the extent of its requirements. There is a deepening sense of our utter sinfulness, failure and blameworthiness, and the daily loathing of ourselves for our hard-heartedness, our base ingratitude, and the ill returns we make to God for His infinite goodness to us. There is a corresponding self-abasement, taking our place in the dust before God, and frankly admitting that we are not worthy of the least of His mercies (Gen. 32:10). There is an increasing appreciation of the grace of God and of the provision He has made for us in Christ, with a corresponding longing to be done with this body of death and conformed fully to the lovely image of the Lord; which longings will be completely realized at our glorification.

Haldane adds that metamorphoo...

signifies the change of the appearance of one thing into that of another. It is used by the fabulous writers to signify the change or metempsychosis of animals into trees, or of men into the appearance of other animals. This term denotes the entire change that passes on a man when he becomes a Christian. He is as different from what he was before, as one species of animal is from another. Let not men be so far the dupes of self-deception as to reckon themselves Christians, while they are unchanged in heart and life. ‘If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature (or creation); old things are passed away, behold, all things are become new.’ (2Co 5:17) If there be not a radical difference between their present state and that in which they were by nature, they have no title to the character of Christians. This shows that, in general, it is not difficult to discriminate Christians from the world. If the change be as great as the word of God here teaches, what difficulty can there be, in most cases, in judging of the character of those who profess Christianity? It is not the heart we are called to judge. If the person be metamorphosed, as the word originally implies, from a state of nature to a conformity with Christ, it will certainly appear, and the state of the heart will be evident from the life. As there are degrees in this transformation, although all Christians are transformed when they are born again, yet they ought to be urged, as here, to a further degree of this transformation. (Haldane)

AND GOD SAID: Let us FORM man in our image.

THE DEVIL SAYS: I will DEFORM man by sin.

THE WORLD SAYS: We must CONFORM man in our image.

EDUCATION SAYS: Let us INFORM man by knowledge.

SOCIETY SAYS: We will REFORM man by culture.

ONLY CHRIST SAYS: I will TRANSFORM man by grace.
(Middletown Bible)

Alexander Maclaren writes this...
transformation is no sudden thing, though the revolution which underlies it may be instantaneous. The working out of the new motives, the working in of the new power, is no mere work of a moment. It is a lifelong task till the lump be leavened. Michael Angelo, in his mystical way, used to say that sculpture effected its aim by the removal of parts; as if the statue lay somehow hid in the marble block. We have, day by day, to work at the task of removing the superfluities that mask its outlines. Sometimes with a heavy mallet, and a hard blow, and a broad chisel, we have to take away huge masses; sometimes, with fine tools and delicate touches, to remove a grain or two of powdered dust from the sparkling block, but always to seek more and more, by slow, patient toil, to conform ourselves to that serene type of all perfectness that we have learned to love in Jesus Christ. And remember, brethren, this transformation is no magic change effected whilst men sleep. It is a commandment which we have to brace ourselves to perform, day by day to set ourselves to the task of more completely assimilating ourselves to our Lord. It comes to be a solemn question for each of us whether we can say, ‘To-day I am liker Jesus Christ than I was yesterday; to-day the truth which renews the mind has a deeper hold upon me than it ever had before.’

But this positive commandment is only one side of the transfiguration that is to be effected. It is clear enough that if a new likeness is being stamped upon a man, the process may be looked at from the other side; and that in proportion as we become liker Jesus Christ, we shall become more unlike the old type to which we were previously conformed. And so, says Paul, ‘Be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed.’ He does not mean to say that the nonconformity precedes the transformation. They are two sides of one process; both arising from the renewing of the mind within. (For full messages Read Romans 12:2 Transfiguration -middle of page)




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