Romans 6 17

Romans 6:17 kjv

But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.

Romans 6:17 nkjv

But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered.

Romans 6:17 niv

But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance.

Romans 6:17 esv

But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed,

Romans 6:17 nlt

Thank God! Once you were slaves of sin, but now you wholeheartedly obey this teaching we have given you.

Romans 6 verses

Romans 6 17 Meaning

Romans 6:17 is an exclamation of Paul's thanksgiving to God for the spiritual transformation of the Roman believers. It affirms that despite their previous state of being utterly controlled by sin, they have genuinely and wholeheartedly embraced the foundational Christian teaching they received, thereby changing their allegiance from sin to righteousness. This verse celebrates their decisive break from sin's dominion through divine grace and their active commitment to truth.

Romans 6 17 Context

Romans 6:17 stands as a powerful declaration following Paul's profound theological discourse on the believer's freedom from sin and identification with Christ's death and resurrection (Rom 6:1-14). He previously dismantled the notion that believers should continue sinning so that grace may abound (Rom 6:1). Instead, Paul established that through baptism, believers have died to their old self and have been raised to walk in newness of life, no longer slaves to sin but living for God (Rom 6:2-11). The immediate preceding verses (Rom 6:15-16) address a second misguided thought: "Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace?" Paul forcefully countered this by arguing that whoever one obeys, that one is their master—either sin, leading to death, or obedience, leading to righteousness. Verse 17 then erupts as an emphatic statement of gratitude, acknowledging the Roman believers' real, heart-deep shift in allegiance from the oppressive master of sin to the freeing 'pattern of teaching'.

Historically, the Roman world was intimately familiar with various forms of slavery. Paul leverages this common understanding as a powerful metaphor for spiritual bondage and freedom. For the original audience, the concept of a "master" and complete ownership would resonate deeply, making the contrast between "slaves to sin" and "slaves to righteousness" exceptionally potent. The "pattern of teaching" (τύπον διδαχῆς) likely refers to the core apostolic instruction, possibly linked to their catechesis before or during baptism, which served as the framework for their new life in Christ.

Romans 6 17 Word analysis

• But thanks be to God (Χάρις δὲ τῷ θεῷ, _Charis de tō Theō_): "Χάρις" (_Charis_) denotes grace, favor, or thanksgiving. Here, it functions as an expression of profound gratitude. Paul's thanksgiving to God highlights that this transformation is not due to human effort but entirely to divine intervention and grace, removing any boasting from human accomplishment.
• that (ὅτι, _hoti_): Introduces the reason for Paul's thanks.
• though you used to be slaves (ἦτε δοῦλοι, _ēte douloi_):
  • "ἦτε" (_ēte_): The imperfect tense of "to be," indicating a past, ongoing, and habitual condition. It firmly asserts their former, persistent state of enslavement.
  • "δοῦλοι" (_douloi_): "Slaves," "bondservants." This is a strong and totalizing term for one completely owned and controlled by another. It paints a picture of utter subjection and lack of autonomy under sin's tyrannical rule.
• to sin (τῆς ἁμαρτίας, _tēs hamartias_): "ἁμαρτίας" (_hamartias_), "sin." Here, sin is personified as a powerful and malicious master who held them in bondage.
• you have come to obey (ὑπηκούσατε δὲ, _hypēkousate de_):
  • "ὑπηκούσατε" (_hypēkousate_): "You obeyed," "you hearkened." This is an aorist tense, signifying a decisive, completed action or event, pointing to their conversion experience or their response to the gospel. It implies active, willing submission.
  • Obey from your heart (ἐκ καρδίας, _ek kardias_): "καρδίας" (_kardias_) refers to the heart, which in biblical understanding is the core of a person's being—the center of intellect, emotion, and will. This phrase signifies a deep, genuine, and sincere obedience that springs from an inner disposition, not merely outward compliance or a legalistic facade. It reflects an internal transformation that changed their fundamental allegiance and motivation.
• the pattern of teaching to which you were delivered (εἰς ὃν παρεδόθητε τύπον διδαχῆς, _eis hon paredothēte typon didachēs_):
  • "τύπον" (_typon_): "Pattern," "mold," "form," "example." It indicates a definitive standard, a body of instruction that has a distinct shape and content. It's not abstract but a clearly delineated set of truths and ethical requirements.
  • "διδαχῆς" (_didachēs_): "Teaching," "doctrine," "instruction." This refers to the content of the Christian faith.
  • "εἰς ὃν παρεδόθητε" (_eis hon paredothēte_): "To which you were delivered/entrusted." "παρεδόθητε" (_paredothēte_) is a passive verb (a "divine passive"), indicating God's action. This suggests they were not merely presented with a teaching to choose, but were placed into its mold, immersed within its structure, or surrendered to its authority. This emphasizes that God Himself orchestrated their transition from being handed over to sin to being committed to the truth of the gospel.
• Words-Group analysis:
  • "Slaves to sin": This phrase starkly highlights their former condition—complete subjugation, without true freedom or control over their actions, ultimately leading to spiritual death. Sin functioned as a master dictating their will and outcome.
  • "Obey from your heart": This signifies an authentic conversion and an internal spiritual revolution. This obedience is not external or forced but springs from a renewed inner person, reflecting a profound shift in desires and allegiances. It distinguishes genuine faith from mere outward religious performance, echoing Old Testament promises of a new covenant where God writes His laws on the heart.
  • "The pattern of teaching to which you were delivered": This refers to the coherent, foundational body of apostolic truth and Christian ethics that the Roman believers received. The active phrase "to which you were delivered" underscores that their conformity to this teaching was a divinely initiated event. They were, in essence, transferred from the dominion of sin into the authoritative framework of divine truth, becoming molded by its principles, both doctrinally and practically. It denotes not just passive reception, but active integration into its way of life.

Romans 6 17 Bonus section

The passive voice of "παρεδόθητε" (you were delivered/entrusted) is theologically rich, emphasizing that the believer's shift in allegiance from sin to the "pattern of teaching" is not a human initiative but a divine act. This "divine passive" reinforces the understanding that salvation is entirely God's work. It suggests believers were not just presented with a choice, but graciously placed by God into the transformative mold of truth, underscoring the sovereignty of grace in their conversion. Furthermore, the "pattern of teaching" likely correlates with early Christian catechesis (instruction) given to new converts, possibly around baptism. This indicates that foundational Christian truths were not fragmented but presented as a coherent, unified whole—a 'type' or 'form' into which believers were initiated and by which they were expected to live, fostering both doctrinal purity and ethical conformity. This systematic approach to discipleship was critical for anchoring believers against false teachings and ensuring they genuinely walked in their newfound freedom.

Romans 6 17 Commentary

Paul's thanksgiving in Romans 6:17 serves as a triumphant declaration of the Roman believers' radical transformation. Prior to Christ, they were unequivocally "slaves to sin," lacking agency and destined for spiritual death. Their conversion, however, brought a divine rescue from this oppressive master. The significant shift is marked by their genuine "obedience from the heart" to the "pattern of teaching" they received. This isn't superficial adherence but a profound internal allegiance, signifying a renewed will and inner person. The "pattern of teaching" refers to the comprehensive, structured body of truth taught to early believers, likely encompassing Christ's person and work, justification, sanctification, and Christian ethics. They were not merely exposed to this teaching but "delivered to it," implying a divinely orchestrated transference of ownership and an immersive molding into its truth. This new loyalty to God's truth freed them from sin's power, empowering them to live righteously, and confirms the reality of their new life in Christ, for which Paul expresses deep gratitude.