Romans 6:17

God be thanked. Literally, “thanks to God.” Compare Romans 7:25, where the Greek phrase is the same.

Ye were the servants. This very literal translation of the Greek makes it appear that Paul is thanking God that the Roman Christians had been in slavery to sin. This is obviously not the case. Rather, the apostle is thankful that although they had once been slaves of sin, they have now become obedient. It should be an occasion of great joy and thanksgiving when sinners are won to obedience (see Luke 15:7, 23, 24). If we placed as high a value on the human soul as Heaven does, there would be more rejoicing among us when the lost are found and brought to Christ.

Ye have obeyed. Or, “you became obedient,” or “you have become obedient.”

From the heart. This is the type of obedience that springs from faith in Christ. It is the response of love and trust. It is obedience under grace as opposed to legalistic obedience. It is not forced, but willing and sincere.

Form of doctrine. Literally, “type of teaching.” For a definition of “form,” or “type” (: tupos ), see on Romans 5:14. The meaning that seems most appropriate in this context is that of “pattern,” “example” (cf. Philippians 3:17; 1 Thessalonians 1:7; 2 Thessalonians 3:9; 1 Timothy 4:12; Titus 2:7). Paul is speaking of the standard, or pattern, of Christian faith and duty in which the believers had been instructed.

Which was delivered you. Literally, “to which you were delivered.” It might seem more normal to speak of a form of doctrine being delivered to the believers (see 2 Peter 2:21; Jude 3). But Paul may be continuing his picture of the transference of the sinner to a new master. Believers, who were once slaves of sin, have now become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which they were committed.