Definition: 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.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Romans 6:17. It's a really important and often misunderstood part of the Bible. Here’s what it means in simple terms: The Basic Idea: This verse is saying that at some point in our lives, we were tempted to do things that are wrong or against God’s will – we were “servants of sin.” But, even though we made those choices, we really wanted to follow a specific set of beliefs or ideas. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “But God be thanked…” : This acknowledges that we’ve made mistakes and perhaps acted in ways we regret. It’s a way of showing gratitude for the grace that allows us to even be here, to have the opportunity to learn and grow. “…that ye were the servants of sin…” : This means we weren't completely free from temptation. We allowed ourselves to be influenced by bad thoughts, desires, or behaviors – things that go against our true nature and God’s will. It's like being a little bit under the sway of something negative. “…but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.” : This is the crucial part. “Obeyed from the heart” means we really wanted to follow those ideas, even if we didn’t always do so. “That form of doctrine…” refers to a specific set of beliefs – often things like: Pride: Thinking you're better than everyone else Greed: Wanting more than what you have Power: Seeking to dominate others So, putting it all together: This verse is saying that we were once tempted to follow a path of wrong behavior. But because we genuinely wanted to do the right thing and follow God's will, even when we stumbled, we actually obeyed those ideas – even if it wasn’t always perfectly. It's about recognizing our past choices and accepting that we have been shaped by temptation. Important Note: It doesn’t mean we are automatically good or perfect. It just means that we were once susceptible to negative influences, and we have the opportunity to choose a better path forward. In essence, this verse is about our ability to recognize and resist temptation, and it's an invitation to continue striving towards God’s will. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of Romans 6? Give some real-life examples of how this verse applies to us today?