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 6:17KJV
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Romans 6:17 (KJV)

What does Romans 6:17 mean?

Romans 6:17 expresses Paul’s thanks to God for a change in the people he addresses. They had been under sin’s control, but they came to respond sincerely to the teaching they received.

Paul uses the image of servitude to describe their former relationship to sin. The phrase “from the heart” points to an inward response, not merely an outward action.

The Greek behind Romans 6:17

  • “servants” — δοῦλοι (douloi): The word often means “slaves,” people under a master’s control. The KJV’s “servants of sin” therefore carries a stronger picture of being subject to sin than a modern reader might hear in “servants.”
  • “form” — τύπος (typos): The word can mean a pattern or model. Here it describes the teaching as a recognizable pattern that was handed on to the hearers.
  • “delivered” — παραδίδωμι (paradidōmi): The word carries the sense of handing something over or passing it on. Paul presents the teaching as something the hearers received, rather than something they devised.

Why Romans 6:17 matters

  • Paul gives thanks for a change, not for their former condition. His thanks begins with “But God be thanked” and moves from what they “were” to their response to the teaching.
  • The response has a personal as well as a public side. “From the heart” places the emphasis on the hearers’ inner willingness.
  • Paul’s image contrasts two kinds of service. After describing them as formerly servants of sin, he says in verse 18 that they became servants of “righteousness,” or what is right.

Where else these words appear

“form” Greek G5179 · used in 15 verses

  • John 20:25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.
  • Romans 5:14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.
  • 2 Thessalonians 3:9 Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.

“obeyed” Greek G5219 · used in 21 verses

  • Matthew 8:27 But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!
  • Acts 12:13 And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda.
  • Colossians 3:20 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.

“doctrine” Greek G1322 · used in 29 verses

  • Matthew 7:28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:
  • John 7:16 Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.
  • 1 Corinthians 14:26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.

“you” Greek G3860 · used in 118 verses

  • Matthew 4:12 Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee;
  • Mark 13:12 Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death.
  • John 19:11 Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.