Question:

77.1—We talked a lot about yielding and presenting in the Bible Study Thursday morning. What is the difference between these and which one should we use? This is in Romans 6:13: “Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God,” KJV).

Answer:

77.1—The King James version translates the Greek word, paristemi, with the word “yield” in Romans 6:13 and the word “present” in Romans 12:1: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” Either word is a correct translation. The Greek word paristemi means: “1) To place beside or near, 2) To stand beside, stand by or near, to be at hand, be present.” So the word “present” is closer to the meaning of the Greek word. When we “present” ourselves to God we do “yield” to Him. Romans chapter 6 emphasizes the fact that we “yield” ourselves, either to sin or to God. Romans 12 states our “service” as presenting our bodies to God for Him to use as He sees fit.