IS GOD'S WILL DIVIDED INTO 3 NAMELY GOOD WILL, ACCEPTABLE WILL AND PERFECT WILL?

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Many Preachers wrongly teach that Romans 12:2 is telling us that there are three different kinds of God's Will namely Good Will, Acceptable Will, and Perfect Will. They take the three adjectives - good, acceptable, and perfect to indicate increasing proximity to God's perfect will.

However, a proper study of the bible indicates that the verse is not saying that some things that God wills are good (but not acceptable to Him), other things are acceptable to Him (but not good) and other things are perfect to Him (but are not good or acceptable). This would have been contrary to other scriptures for we know that God will not command/ accept imperfection. His goal for us is perfection. Jesus said in Matthew 5:48, “You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect”.

Reading Romans 12:2 using King James Version (KJV) of the bible is somewhat misleading. This is where many of the Preachers got the wrong interpretation.

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

However, the adjectives "good", "acceptable" and "perfect" are rather in apposition to the phrase "the Will of God". The adjectives apply equally to the Will of God. They are not describing three kinds of God's Wills. The verse is rather saying that the Will of God is good, pleasing (acceptable), and perfect. 

Take a look at other translations aside KJV to get a better understanding:

(Romans 12:2 NLT) Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

(Romans 12:2 GNT) Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God--what is good and is pleasing to him and is perfect. 

(Romans 12:2 ESV) Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

(Romans 12:2 AMP) And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed andprogressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you].


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Comments

  1. joyceoye13/8/19 8:06 am

    Thank you for this piece, insightful and straight to the point. The Bible also teaches us that truth is established from two or more witnesses. The other verses quoted in the write up and translations shows us that there is one will of God which is good, pleasing (acceptable) and perfect.

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