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Vv.1-2 state the general principle of Christian conduct. On the basis of God’s mercy, as presented in chs. 1-11, Paul urges Christians to offer their bodies to God as a sacrifice. Here Paul elaborates on 6:12-13, where “body” means “self,” or “total person.” Here “bodies” has the same meaning. When the principle of vv.1-2 is applied to the various circumstances in 12:3-15:13, it touches many aspects of our total person. The self we offer to God is to be living, holy, and pleasing to God.
“Living” means spiritually alive to God (cf. 6:13). That means to be responding to God, having active fellowship with him.
God is holy and anything or any person related to him is holy (Nu 16:5). For moral beings, holiness also has ethical significance. “But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy’” (1Pe 1:15-16). Paul often uses “holiness” in the moral sense (cf. 1Co 6:9-11; 1Th 4:3; et al.), which means the absence of moral defilement.
V.2 spells out, in terms of daily living, the meaning of offering ourselves as sacrifices to God. We should not conform ourselves to the pattern of this world but be continually transformed by the renewing of our minds. Once our thoughts were filled with the points of view, the value scales of this world. These need to be replaced by those of the Bible. Then, and only after then, will we be able to discern (dokimazō, “to find out and then accept”) what is the will of God, namely, what is good, acceptable (or pleasing to God), and perfect (rsv).
“Good,” “pleasing to God,” and “perfect” are the guidelines for discerning the will of God. In 12:3-15:13 Paul applies these guidelines to discern the will of God in different circumstances. He instructs us to take certain action because it is good (12:9, 21; 13:4; 14:16; 15:2), perfect (highest possibility), cf. 12:18), acceptable or pleasing to God (14:18).
What is “good” is helpful to people (12:20-21) and conforms to the moral standard revealed by God (2:10; 7:12, 19). “Perfect” means to use our gifts, resources, and opportunities for maximum effect in God’s kingdom. (Cf. 12:18. Do your best, make the best effort to bring about the kingdom value.) What is pleasing to God can be found from the Bible.