{Therefore} (oun). This inferential participle gathers up
all the great argument of chapters 1-11 . Now Paul turns to
exhortation (parakal(935c)), "I beseech you." {By the mercies} (dia
t(936e) oiktirm(936e)). "By means of the mercies of God" as shown in his
argument and in our lives. See 2Co 1:3 for "the Father of
mercies." {To present} (parast(8873)ai). First aorist active
infinitive of parist(886d)i, for which verb see 6:13 , a technical
term for offering a sacrifice (Josephus, _Ant_. IV. 6, 4), though
not in the O.T. Used of presenting the child Jesus in the temple
( Lu 2:22 ), of the Christian presenting himself ( Ro 6:13 ), of
God presenting the saved ( Eph 5:27 ), of Christ presenting the
church ( Col 1:28 ). {Bodies} (s(936d)ata). So literally as in
6:13,19 2Co 5:10 and in contrast with
ous (mind) in verse
2 . {A living sacrifice} ( husian z(9373)an). In contrast with the
Levitical sacrifices of slain animals. Cf. 6:8,11,13 . Not a
propitiatory sacrifice, but one of praise. {Acceptable}
(euareston). "Well-pleasing." See on 氧Co 5:9|. {Which is your
reasonable service} ( (886e) logik(886e) hum(936e) latreian). "Your
rational (spiritual) service (worship)." For latreia, see on
消:4|. Logikos is from logos, reason. The phrase means here
"worship rendered by the reason (or soul)." Old word, in N.T.
only here and 1Pe 2:2 o logikon gala (not logical milk, but
the milk nourishing the soul).
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