Romans 6:17
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.
Original Language Analysis
χάρις
be thanked
G5485
χάρις
be thanked
Strong's:
G5485
Word #:
1 of 18
graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεῷ
God
G2316
θεῷ
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
4 of 18
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
ὅτι
that
G3754
ὅτι
that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
5 of 18
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
δοῦλοι
the servants
G1401
δοῦλοι
the servants
Strong's:
G1401
Word #:
7 of 18
a slave (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary; frequently, therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὑπηκούσατε
ye have obeyed
G5219
ὑπηκούσατε
ye have obeyed
Strong's:
G5219
Word #:
10 of 18
to hear under (as a subordinate), i.e., to listen attentively; by implication, to heed or conform to a command or authority
ἐκ
from
G1537
ἐκ
from
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
12 of 18
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
καρδίας
the heart
G2588
καρδίας
the heart
Strong's:
G2588
Word #:
13 of 18
the heart, i.e., (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the middle
εἰς
which
G1519
εἰς
which
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
14 of 18
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
ὃν
G3739
ὃν
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
15 of 18
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
παρεδόθητε
was delivered you
G3860
παρεδόθητε
was delivered you
Strong's:
G3860
Word #:
16 of 18
to surrender, i.e yield up, entrust, transmit
Cross References
1 Peter 2:9But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:Romans 16:26But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:Romans 1:8First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.2 Corinthians 2:14Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.2 Timothy 1:13Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.Acts 11:18When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.Romans 15:18For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed,3 John 1:3For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.Hebrews 5:9And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;Philemon 1:4I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,
Historical Context
Early Christian catechesis involved teaching converts core doctrines (kerygma: death-burial-resurrection; ethical teaching: didache). The phrase 'form of doctrine' suggests a standardized body of apostolic teaching, possibly including baptismal confession and ethical instruction. In Roman culture, students were 'handed over' to teachers/tutors; Paul uses this language of believers being entrusted to gospel truth. Heart-obedience contrasts with Pharisaic externalism Jesus condemned—genuine transformation, not mere rule-keeping. The aorist hypēkousate (obeyed) points to conversion as decisive moment of submission to gospel truth.
Questions for Reflection
- What evidence shows that your obedience to God comes 'from the heart' rather than mere external conformity?
- How has the 'form of doctrine' (core Christian teaching) shaped and transformed your thinking and living?
- Where might you be obeying God outwardly without genuine heart engagement and affection?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin—charis de tō theō hoti ēte douloi tēs hamartias (χάρις δὲ τῷ θεῷ ὅτι ἦτε δοῦλοι τῆς ἁμαρτίας). The imperfect ēte (ἦτε, ye were) indicates past continuous state, now changed. Paul gives thanks not for their slavery to sin itself but for their deliverance from it—the clause is ironic or elliptical, completed by the next phrase. Charis tō theō (χάρις τῷ θεῷ, thanks be to God) is doxological: God deserves credit for their transformation.
But ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you—hypēkousate de ek kardias eis hon paredothēte typon didachēs (ὑπηκούσατε δὲ ἐκ καρδίας εἰς ὃν παρεδόθητε τύπον διδαχῆς). Ek kardias (ἐκ καρδίας, from the heart) indicates genuine, internal transformation—not mere external conformity. That form of doctrine (typon didachēs, τύπον διδαχῆς)—typon (pattern, standard, mold) suggests apostolic teaching as the fixed standard into which believers are formed. Paredothēte (παρεδόθητε, ye were delivered/handed over) is passive—God committed them to this teaching pattern, entrusting them to the gospel's transforming truth. Salvation involves intellectual content (doctrine) embraced volitionally (obey) and affectively (from the heart).