Romans 6:17
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,
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Paul's "thanks be to God" isn't for their past as sinners, but a profound gratitude that despite their history as "slaves of sin," they are now molded by the core teachings of the faith, obeying with their whole hearts. This "form of doctrine" acted like a mold, shaping them into a new spiritual identity.
Paul is reminding the Roman believers of their profound transformation, contrasting their past enslavement to sin with their present willing obedience to the teachings of the gospel. This is not just about outward actions, but a deep, heartfelt surrender to the "mold of teaching" that shaped their new identity in Christ. He expresses deep gratitude to God for this radical shift, emphasizing that this change was not due to their own merit but a gift from God that should spur them to live as servants of righteousness.
Paul launches into a statement of thanks, but it's not for the past you might expect. What's the real reason for his joy?
Paul expresses profound gratitude to God, not that the Roman believers were slaves of sin, but that they are no longer. This isn't a thank-you for their sinful past, but for the transformative grace that rescued them from it.
A Contrast for Emphasis
He highlights their former state as slaves to sin to emphasize the magnitude of God's intervention. It's like thanking God that a person is no longer suffering from a severe illness, not for the illness itself, but for the healing received.
The Source of Change
This radical shift wasn't due to their own efforts but a divine work. The 'thanks be to God' points to the supernatural power that broke the chains of sin and redirected their allegiance.
What does it truly mean to obey 'from the heart,' and what is this 'standard of teaching'?
The verse points to a deep, internal transformation. 'Obeyed from the heart' signifies a sincere, willing, and complete surrender to God's will, not just outward compliance.
The 'Type' of Teaching
The 'standard of teaching' (or 'form of doctrine') refers to the core truths and pattern of Christian instruction. It's the foundational message of the gospel that shapes believers into Christ's likeness.
Internalizing the Truth
This isn't about passively receiving information. It's about allowing the truth of God's Word to mold and remold one's inner being, leading to a life that reflects that teaching. The original language suggests a 'pattern' or 'mold' into which believers are cast, transforming them.
Understand the original words
kardias · Greek Noun
The core seat of human personality, encompassing the intellect, will, emotions, and moral decision-making. Obedience that is "from the heart" is genuine, internal, and sincere, rather than merely external or ritualistic.
typon didaches · Greek Noun phrase
A structured body of Christian doctrine or authoritative instruction handed down by the apostles. It refers to the apostolic message that establishes the boundaries and content of the Christian faith.
This verse was written during a time when the church in Rome was growing, composed of both Jewish and Gentile believers. Paul's letter addresses how their new life in Christ, freed from the dominion of sin and the law, should be lived out, emphasizing a willing, heartfelt obedience to the teachings of the Gospel.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus' Crucifixion and Resurrection
The foundational events of Christianity, leading to the establishment of the early church and the spread of the gospel message.
c. AD 30-50
Early Spread of Christianity
The gospel message begins to spread from Jerusalem throughout Judea, Samaria, and into the wider Roman Empire, including major cities like Rome.
c. AD 57— this verse
Paul Writes Romans
Paul, likely in Corinth or Cenchreae, writes his letter to the church in Rome, which he had not yet visited, explaining core Christian doctrines.
c. AD 64
Great Fire of Rome and Persecution
A devastating fire sweeps through Rome, and Emperor Nero blames Christians, initiating the first major state-sponsored persecution of believers in the capital.
This passage speaks of the freedom Christ has secured for us, emphasizing that we should stand firm in that liberty and not be entangled again with the yoke of bondage, echoing the transition from slavery to sin described in Romans 6.
Colossians 3:5-7It highlights the need to put to death earthly desires and put on the new self, directly relating to the transformation from a life enslaved by sin to one guided by obedience to God's teachings.
1 Peter 1:14This verse calls believers to live as obedient children, not conforming to the former lusts that characterized their ignorance, which parallels the idea of heartfelt obedience to a new 'form of doctrine' after being slaves to sin.
Jeremiah 31:33This prophecy speaks of God writing His laws on the hearts of His people, illustrating the internal, heartfelt obedience that Romans 6:17 celebrates, contrasting it with external, compelled service.
henryRomans 6:16-20: "Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?"
6:16-20 Every man is the servant of the master to whose commands he yields himself; whether it be the sinful dispositions of his heart, in actions which lead to death, or the new and spiritual obedience implanted by regeneration. The apostle rejoiced now they obeyed from the heart the gospel, into which they were de…
barnesRomans 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."
But God be thanked - The argument in this verse is drawn from a direct appeal to the feelings of the Roman Christians themselves. From their experience, Paul was able to draw a demonstration to his purpose, and this was with him a ground of gratitude to God. That ye were ... - The sense of this passage is plain. The ground Of the thanksgiving was…
Paul's "thanks be to God" isn't for their past as sinners, but a profound gratitude that despite their history as "slaves of sin," they are now molded by the core teachings of the faith, obeying with their whole hearts. This "form of doctrine" acted like a mold, shaping them into a new spiritual identity.
Paul is reminding the Roman believers of their profound transformation, contrasting their past enslavement to sin with their present willing obedience to the teachings of the gospel. This is not just about outward actions, but a deep, heartfelt surrender to the "mold of teaching" that shaped their new identity in Christ. He expresses deep gratitude to God for this radical shift, emphasizing that this change was not due to their own merit but a gift from God that should spur them to live as servants of righteousness.
Paul is reminding the Roman believers of their profound transformation, contrasting their past enslavement to sin with their present willing obedience to the teachings of the gospel. This is not just about outward actions, but a deep, heartfelt surrender to the "mold of teaching" that shaped their new identity in Christ. He expresses deep gratitude to God for this radical shift, emphasizing that this change was not due to their own merit but a gift from God that should spur them to live as servants of righteousness.
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"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," — Paul's "thanks be to God" isn't for their past as sinners, but a profound gratitude that despite their history as "slaves of sin," they are now molded by the core teachings of the faith, obeying with…
