FOLLOW CHRIST AND PAUL'S EXAMPLE

JESUS WAS PAUL'S EXAMPLE
EDITED BY GLENN PEASE
1 Corinthians11:1 1Followmy example, as I follow
the example of Christ.
New Living Translation
And you shouldimitate me, just as I imitate Christ.
English StandardVersion
Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.
BIBLEHUB RESOURCES
Be ye followers ofme, even as I also am of Christ.
1 Corinthians 11:1-2
Follow Paul and follow Christ
DeanStanley.

I. BE YE FOLLOWERS OF PAUL. But how can we be like a man who has
been dead for centuries, whose language andoccupations were wholly
different from ours? Canthe nineteenth century be changedinto the first? No.
There are hundreds of points in which we cannot be like him; and yet Paul is
more capable of being an example to us than he has been to almostany
previous age of the world. He is truly the apostle of Englishmen, because —
1. He is the apostle most congenialto our peculiar excellences. There is a real
likeness betweenthe Englishcharacterand the freedom and love of truth
which is the fibre and tissue of the teaching of St. Paul.
2. He is the apostle of progress. Are any of us inclined to think that
Christianity is worn out, that it is too contractedfor these broad, enlightened
times? Some forms of it may have become so, but not the Christianity of St.
Paul. He is the apostle of the vast and unknown future. St. Paul is always
looking, not backward, but forward. He went beyond his ownage, beyond the
ages that followed;and, howeverfar we have advancedin enlightenment and
liberation, he has gone before us still.
3. The apostle of toleration. Have we outgrown the noble lessons ofRomans
14.? Are we more able to bear with those who differ from us, more tender to
the rights of conscience, thanhe? Let us separate the essentialfrom the non-
essential, the temporal from the eternal, as he did.
II. EVEN AS HE WAS OF CHRIST.
1. In many forms this is the burden of all his Epistles (Romans 13:14;
Colossians 2:6; Romans 8:29; Galatians 6:14;Galatians 2:20). He is but a
servant of Christ. To carry in his own life a copy, howeverimperfect, of what
Christ had said and done; to be one with Christ now and hereafterwas his
highest ambition and hope of salvation. And to this he calls us still.

2. True, we cannot imitate Christ in the letter, but we can in the spirit; we
cannot "put on" His outward garb and actions, but we can put on "the mind
which was in Christ Jesus." We cannotattain to His perfection;in greatpart
He is rather the likeness ofGod than the example of man; but we can study in
His life and characterthe will of God and the duty of man. He should be to us
as a secondconscience, to fix our wills, to calm our scruples, to guide our
thoughts, the conscienceofour conscience, the mind of our mind, the heart of
our heart.
III. HOW SHALL WE BRING HOME THIS JOINT EXAMPLE TO
OURSELVES? How shall we concentrate onour own lives the rays of this
double light, the greaterlight for ever going before, the lesserlight for ever
moving behind? Turn from the text to the context, and you will find laid down
two fundamental principles of Evangelicalreligion —
1. Forthe service of God (1 Corinthians 10:13.). Whatsoeverye do, in
commerce and in labour, wheresoeverit be, there is what you have to do to
the glory of God. Here, joining in the prayers and hymns, etc., you are
preparing for the service ofGod. But there, in your daily life, is the true
"Divine service," in which we must all bear our parts.(1)Paul was ever
employed in driving the enthusiasm of his followers into homely, useful,
practicalchannels.(2)What was true of Paul was still more true of Christ. He
did not retire to the wilderness. He lived and died in blessedcompanionship
with men. In labour and in festivity, in moving multitudes and in crowded
ship, He found alike His Father's work.
2. How are we to follow Paul and Christ in the service of man? (1 Corinthians
10:33;1 Corinthians 9:22). Not by one uniform mode, but in ten thousand
was, everfresh, every varying with the wants and characters ofeach.(1)Every
face that looks up from this crowd is different from every other; it expressesa

history, a character, a weakness, a strength of its own. To every one the
apostle would have been, as it were, a different man; he would have
transformed himself into the thoughts and would have borne with the
infirmities of each. No outward difference would have prevented him from
seeing the goodwhich lay beneath. He would have made straight for that and
built it up, and so would have savedthe soulin the midst of which he had
discoveredit.(2) And this example is not only for teachers orspecialtimes and
places. It is for all times, places, and persons;for it is the example, not only of
Paul, but of Christ Himself. He, too, "became all things to all men, if by any
means He might save some." He came with a gracious wordand touch for
each. And as Christ and Paul have done to us, so ought we in our humble
measure to do to our brethren; so ought we humbly to hope that they eachin
their turn will do to us, if by any means some of us may be saved.
(DeanStanley.)
Following Christians and following Christ
I. WE OUGHT TO FOLLOW THE EXAMPLE OF FORMER SAINTS, SO
FAR AS THEY WALK IN THE LAWS OF GOD.
1. Though by nature all be sinners, yet by grace many in all ages have been
saints.
2. The lives of many saints are recordedfor our imitation (James 5:10, 11, 17;
Philippians 3:17; Philippians 4:9).
3. But everything recordedof them is not to be followed.(1)Notsuch actions
as are condemned.(2)Nor all such which are not condemned (Genesis 19:8;
Genesis 27:25-27;Genesis 42:15-16).(3)Norall such as are approved. For —

(a)Some things are only in part approved (Luke 16:8; Exodus 1:19-20).
(b)Some things were done by the extraordinary call and instinct of God
(Numbers 25:7-8;2 Kings 1:10; Luke 9:54, 55). So Abraham offering Isaac.
4. In our imitation of the saints we must observe —(1) Whether what they do
be according to the law of God.(2)The circumstances oftheir actions (Amos
6:5). Read, then, the lives of former saints, and follow their examples,
especiallythe particular graceswhereinthey were eminent (Numbers 12:3; 1
Samuel 3:18; Job 1:21; Acts 5:41).
II. CHRIST IS THE GRAND EXAMPLE WHICH WE OUGHT TO
IMITATE.
1. What is it to imitate Christ?(1) As He did it.
(a)Understandingly (John 4:22).
(b)Obediently (Luke 2:49; 1 Samuel 15:22).
(c)SincerelyJohn 4:24; 2 Corinthians 1:12).
(d)Wholly (Matthew 3:15; John 17:4).
(e)Believingly (John 11:41, 42).

(f)Cheerfully (Isaiah 53:7; Hebrews 10:34; Romans 12:8).
(g)Humbly (Matthew 11:29).
(h)To the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31).
2. What are those works which we are to imitate Christ in? Christ was truly
God from eternity (John 1:1; John 8:58). He became truly man in time (John
1:14; 1 Timothy 2:5), and He was and is truly both God and man in one
person (Acts 20:28). WhatsoeverHe did in the flesh He did under one of these
three notions.(1)We are not to follow Christ in what He did as God; such are
His acts —
(a)Of omnipotence. Healing the sick, casting outdevils, raising the dead, etc.
(b)Of omniscience (Luke 11:17;Luke 13:32).
(c)Of sovereignty(Matthew 16:2, 7).(2) Nor in what He did as God-man, in
the acts —
(a)Of His prophetical office (Deuteronomy 18:15;John 15:15; Acts 3:22).
(b)His priestly office. Satisfying for our sins (1 John 2:2), and interceding for
our souls (Hebrews 7:25).

(c)His kingly office (Isaiah 9:7).(3) But we are to follow Him in what He did as
mere man.
(a)He was subject to His parents (Luke 2:51). This subjectionconsistethin
reverencing them (Leviticus 19:3); in obeying them, by hearkening to their
instructions (Proverbs 13:1; Proverbs 23:22)and performing their lawful
commands (Colossians 3:20;Ephesians 6:1); in thankfulness, by
acknowledging their care and providing for their necessities (1 Timothy 5:4;
Genesis 47:12;John 19:26, 27). Consider — This is pleasing to God
(Ephesians 6:1), and hath a promised blessing (Ephesians 6:2, 3; Exodus
20:12).
(b)He committed no sin 1 Peter2:22; Isaiah 53:9; 1 John 3:5). How are we not
to sin? We are not to love it (Psalm 119). We must imitate Christ in —
(c)Love.
(d)Submission.
(e)Meekness andholiness.
(f)Hearing.
(g)Finishing His work.

(h)Taking all opportunities of doing good.
3. Means.
(1)Watchalways over thy heart (1 Peter5:8; Proverbs 4:23).
(2)Live as under the eye of God.
(3)Considerthou art a Christian.
(Bp. Beveridge.)
A followerof Christ
J. Sherman.
It needs no argument to prove that all men do not follow Christ. Many profess
to follow Him, and many boast that they do follow Him, but, oh, how few
faithfully follow Christ! Indeed, the grand mistake of the world lies in this —
that following Christ consists in mere attendance to a few forms and
professions ofreligion, whereas it is wholly a spiritual service, and cannever
be taken up by any but spiritual men. Therefore the Scriptures assure us that
a followerof Christ is —
I. ONE WHO HAS BEEN QUICKENED BY CHRIST. A dead man cannot
follow another. A man dead in trespassesand sins must be quickened by the
Son of God before he will take one step in the way to heaven.

II. ONE WHO HEARTILY LOVES CHRIST. "We love Him, because He
first loved us." "The love of God constrainethus." All Christ asks in return
for His love is "Follow Me," and the grateful and redeemedspirit says, "Lord,
I will follow Thee whithersoeverThou goest."
III. ONE WHO EMBRACES THE DOCTRINEOF CHRIST. When
quickeing takes place, the soul receives the kingdom of heaven as a little child.
"Teachme," says sucha spirit, "Thy way, O Lord; I will walk in Thy truth;
unite my heart to fear Thy name." It does not take the doctrines of the gospel
and throw awaythe precepts;it does not reserve the precepts and castaway
the doctrines, but it takes it as a whole, as the word of Christ, and the
directory in the way to heaven.
IV. ONE WHO CHEERFULLY WALKS IN THE WAYS OF CHRIST.
Religious labour is no drudgery to him. Neverhas a Christian any melancholy
as long as he walks in Christ's paths; it is when he turns out of them that
occasions him sadness and pain.
V. ONE WHO COPIES THE EXAMPLE OF CHRIST. A followerof Christ
is not one whose head is filled with well-digestedschemes oftheology. Christ
hath left us an example that we should follow His steps. Following Christ is
walking behind Him, putting our feetinto the print of His footsteps, andso
going on in the way to heaven. He has left His footprints —
1. In His meek and amiable spirit.
2. In heavenly behaviour and conversation.

3. In prayer.
4. In His abounding liberality.
5. In His diligent labours.
6. In His spirit of love.
VI. ONE WHO PERSEVERINGLYCONTINUESWITHCHRIST. Some
follow Christ from gain, some partially, as long as the truth does not touch
their consciences;some in poverty and affliction; but when the sun of
prosperity has arisen, when persecutionor affliction cometh on accountof the
truth, then they desertChrist. "But he that endureth to the end shall be
saved."
(J. Sherman.)
True following
WeeklyPulpit.
Some men are destined to lead either in evil or in good. St. Paul, who had been
a leaderin persecution, was made "a leaderand commander of Christ's
people," and he removes every trace of human assumption when he qualifies
the exhortation with "evenas I am also of Christ."
I. TO FOLLOW CHRIST IS THE SOURCE OF CHRISTIAN INFLUENCE.
It is one thing to look at the life of Jesus with interest and admiration; it is
another thing to regard it as our pattern and inspiration. To gainthe higher
influence of the Saviour's life we must follow Him —

1. Wholly. The would-be followers of His day made loud professions of
following Him, but when He said, "If any man will come after Me, let him
take up his cross,"etc., the crowd dispersed, and only the twelve remained.
2. Constantly. When you sit for your likeness the photographermeasures the
time in which to take a deep and sharp impression. Half the time would only
give half the result. If you only look at Jesus once in awhile, and if serious
thought only possessyou at times, the flood of worldly influence will sweep
awaythe goodimpressions as the tide demolishes footsteps in the sand.
3. Openly. Conversionbecomes more real, love to Christ more intense, and
hatred of sin more forcible by the exhibition of the virtues of Him who has
calledus out of darkness into light. The light we shed on others is again
reflectedon ourselves. The voice of the echo is sweeterthan your own; so is
piety when it returns to us from its mission of mercy.
II. TO EXHIBIT CHRIST IS THE MISSION OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE.
1. The power of example is great. The ancient Romans used to place the
statues of distinguished men in their halls. When they left in the morning they
were inspired by the remembrance of their noble deeds, and when they
returned in the evening they were ennobled by the thought of the associations
they enjoyed.
2. The power of Christian example is the greatest. Bothin moulding and
reforming characters ithas not a rival. Its force is that of Divine love working
through human actions. Godin Christ Jesus made His life the noblest of all

lives, because it has produced the greatestreforms in the race. The life of
Jesus in His Church is its perpetuation.
(WeeklyPulpit.)
Christ's example
DeanChurch.
1. Once in the course of the world's history there has been seenon earth a
perfect life. It was a life not merely to admire, but to follow. It has been ever
since the acknowledgedhuman standard.
2. And we have not only the perfect example, but we have it declaredwhy and
how it is perfect. Lessons, teaching and enforcing, accompanyeachincident of
our Lord's ministry; they are drawn togetherinto a solemn summary in the
Sermon on the Mount. Here we have the highest moral guidance for the
world.
3. That example and law of life were nothing less than universal. They were
meant for all men. Differing so widely as men do, Christ calls them all alike to
follow Him.
4. Christianity makes itselfuniversal by making its moral standard, not verbal
rules or laws, but a character. Thatcharacteris one who is calledin Scripture
the Image of God. All that Christ did and said were the various expressions of
the perfectgoodness ofthe Father. And that is the Christian law. And this is
what fits the Christian standard to be a universal one. For a character, if it is
greatenough, carries its force far beyond the conditions Under which it may
have been first disclosed. If shown under one setof circumstances its lesson
can be extended to another, perfectly different. It adapts itself with the
freedom and elasticityof life. We can follow it on, from the known, to what it

would be, in the new and strange. "JesusChristis the same yesterday and to-
day and for ever" — the same in glory as in the form of a servant. Under
conditions utterly changed, His goodnessis that same very goodness whichwe
saw. And so we can derive from that Characterlessons forour state, which is
so different from His. And not only so, but we can derive lessons from it for
conditions of human life very far removed from those conditions under which
His goodnesswas manifestedto us here. Literal imitation may be impossible,
but it is not impossible to catch its spirit and apply its lessons to altered
circumstances. In that character, thoughshown to us in the form of servant,
we know that everything is gathered which could make human nature what it
ought to be. ConsiderChrist as a pattern for —
I. THE LIFE OF FAITH.
1. All the while that He was on earth He was in heart and soul undivided for a
moment from heaven. He does what is most human; but He lives absolutely in
the Divine. However, we see Him: tempted, teaching, healing, etc., in the
wilderness, in the temple, on the Cross — He is yet all the while "even the Son
of Man which is in heaven."
2. Men have comparedthe active and the contemplative life, and the life of
practicalbeneficence with the life of devotion. We see greatthings done
without the sense of religion, and we see the religious spirit failing to
command the respectof those who have other ways of ministering to men's
wants. But in Christ we have both lives combined. In Him we see man serving
to the utmost his brethren; but we also see man one with the thought and will
of God.
3. Here we see how characterin itself, irrespective of circumstance, is adapted
to be a guide; here is an example, shown under the most exceptional

conditions, yet fit to be universal. But on what outward circumstances does
such a life depend? Why is not equally to be realisedin the calling of the ruler,
the rich man, the student? How need their outward conditions affecttheir
relationship to God?
II. THE LIFE OF TRUTH.(1)To all, quite apart from the accidental
conditions of their state, Christ's life shows what alone is real and greatin life;
and surely there are ends and purposes in the life of eachof us which are
literally as real as the ends of His life. One is high and another low;one has
much and another little, but to every one who believes in God and providence,
the work of eachis equally real: a call, a stewardshipfrom God.(2) What we
see in Christ's life is not only a purpose and work passing man's
understanding, but that purpose followed, and that work done, in a waywhich
man can understand. It is a life governedby its end and purpose, in which
shows or illusions have no place; and further, a life in which its purpose is
followedwith absolute indifference to whatever sacrifice it may cost. He has
put all this into words which mark for ever the change He made in our views
of life — "My meat is to do the will of Him that sent Me, and to finish His
work";"I must work the works of Him that sent Me while it is day"; and
when all was over, "I have finished the work that Thou gavestMe to do."
III. THE LIFE OF LOVE. It is the new commandment, new to the world, but
as old as the eternalWord who brought it, which turns the Sermonon the
Mount from a code of precepts into the expressions and instances of a
character. Its words have their interpretation and their reasonin that Divine
temper which had come with Christ to restore the world. The purity, the
humility, the forgiving mind, the unflagging goodnessthey speak of, were but
some among the infinitely varied ways of acting out the meaning of His last
charge, "Thatye love one anotheras I have loved you"; and of His last
prayer, "That the love wherewith Thou hast loved Me, may be in them, and I
in them." A greatdeal may be said of love without everreally touching what

is its vital essence. But here our sympathies are appealedto. We see how Jesus
Christ showedwhatit is to lead a life of love. Conclusion:
1. The mutable shapes ofsociety, unfolded by God's providence, fix almost
without our will our outward circumstances. Butfor the soul, whereverit is,
Christ our Lord has one unchanging call, "Be perfect";and He has one
unchanging rule for its fulfilment, "Be what I am, feel what I felt, do as I
should do." How shall we? How but by looking steadfastlyat Him and trying
to see and know Him? In the same Living Personeachage has seenits best
idea embodied; but its idea was not adequate to the truth — there was
something still beyond.(1) An age of intellectual confusionsaw in His
portraiture in the Gospels the ideal of the greatTeacher, the healer of human
error. It judged rightly; but that was only part.(2) The monastic spirit saw in
it the warrant and suggestionofa life of self-devotedpoverty as the condition
of perfection: who can doubt that there was much to justify it: who can doubt
that the reality was something far wider than the purest type of monastic
life?(3) The Reformation saw in Him the greatimprover, the quickener of the
dead letter, the stern rebuker of a religion which had forgottenits spirit; and
doubtless He was all this, only He was infinitely more.(4)And now in modern
times there is the disposition to dwell on Him as the ideal exemplar of perfect
manhood. He is all this, and this is infinitely precious. We may "glorify Him
for it and exalt Him as much as we can, but even yet will He far exceed." And
as generations go on they will still find that Characteranswering to their best
thoughts and hopes.
2. What is the lesson? Surelythis: to remember when we talk of the example
of Christ, that the interpretations and readings of it are all short of the thing
itself; and that we possess, to see and to learn from, the thing itself.
(DeanChurch.)

Christ, our example
O. Winslow, D.D.
The apostle —
I. Directs our attention to CHRIST AS THE GREAT MODEL OF THE
CHRISTIAN. It is a marked characteristic ofChristianity that all the truths
are presentedin no vague, intangible form, but as embodied in one living
model. Note —
1. The fitness of Christ to be our model pattern. We needed one Divine and yet
human. One all Divine would have been inimitable; one all human must have
fallen below the necessitiesofthe case.So Christ came, "Godmanifest in the
flesh." His divinity fitted Him to revealGod's will, and uniting His Deity with
humanity, He lived, laboured, suffered, and died as a Man, to present a visible
picture which shall be the model of study and imitation for all time.
2. The perfection of this model. PerfectGod and perfect man, He forms a
perfect study for the believer. His love to God was supreme; the exercise of
His will was ever in perfect harmony with the Divine will. In the hour of His
temptation, He emerges from the furnace unscathed; and in the profoundest
depth of agonythere is the deepestsubmission to God.
3. Its surpassing loveliness. Look atHis unearthly life — living in the world,
and yet above the world. Look at His humility — the incarnate God though
He was, yet stooping to washHis disciples'feet. Look at Him as a Man of
prayer — walking in the closestcommunion with His Father.
II. Delineates THE CHARACTER OF A TRUE BELIEVER AS MOULDED
UPON THAT OF JESUS. A followerof Christ.

1. Is a partakerof its spiritual nature. An unsanctified heart, an unrenewed
soul, cannotbe said to be castinto this mould. It becomes, then, a question of
the deepestmoment, "Am I born againof the Spirit?"
2. Has his hope of acceptance, as a lost sinner, entirely in Christ. He has
renounced his own righteousness, andhas receivedas his only justification
"the righteousness ofGod which is by faith in Christ Jesus."
3. Sits as a humble learnerat the feet of Christ.
4. Follows Christonly. We may follow ministers and not Christ, Churches,
and not the Head of the Church.
5. Is crucified with Christ: "If any man will come after Me, let him deny
himself and take up his cross and follow Me."
(O. Winslow, D.D.)
Imitation of Christ
E. Bayley, D.D.
1. We find in the Word of Godthat the imitation of Christ is frequently laid
down as the leading principle of the gospel(Matthew 16:24;John 12:26; John
13:13;1 Peter 2:21; Ephesians 5:1.; 1 Thessalonians 1:16). In these passages
we are taught the importance of the principle of example. The Word of God
has many ways of teaching. But especiallyit teaches by example. Example
embodies precept, places it before us in pictorial form, which we can easilysee

and understand. And not only so, but example recommends precept; because
where it is a goodexample, it evidently carries with it the proof of sincerity on
the part of the person who sets it.
2. But it may be askedwhy, if Christ is the real standard and example, does
St. Paul sethimself before us? I think the reasonis simply this, that while
Christ is undoubtedly the example, St. Paul regardedhimself as an illustration
of that example. Note some of the leading features of our Lord's characterin
which this principle of imitation is to be carriedout.
I. In HIS SPIRIT OF SELF-RENUNCIATION (Philippians 2:6; cf. 5.) How
closelySt. Paul copiedour Lord in this! He "countedall things but loss that he
might win Christ," and glorify Him. And that same spirit lies at the
foundation of all true religion. "If any man will be My disciple, let him deny
himself."
II. HIS SPIRIT OF OBEDIENCE. "Mymeat is to do the will of Him that sent
Me, and to finish His work." It was —
1. A willing obedience;one in which He delighted.
2. A constant, ceaselessobedience.
3. An obedience victorious, because it was through and after conflict. And so
with St. Paul. "Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?" seems to have been the
question which pervaded his whole career. Now, we love and value the
privileges of the gospel;but do not let us lose sight of its responsibilities.

III. HIS SPIRIT OF ZEAL (John 2.). St. Paul followedHim in this. Men in
the presentday seemafraid of zeal. But it is goodto be zealous in a good
cause. Lukewarmnessin religion is especiallyhateful in the sight of God.
IV. HIS SPIRIT OF MEEKNESS AND GENTLENESS — "I beseechyou,"
says St. Paul, "by the meekness andgentleness ofChrist." He never quenched
the smoking flax. And so St. Paul, with all his fire and energy, observed the
evident spirit of tenderness and sympathy with which he watchedover the
infant Church. There are rough and rugged characters whichare full of
energy in Christ's cause, but which need to look at His example in this respect.
V. HIS SPIRIT OF LOVE as shown in giving Himself for us; as shown
towards the impenitent, and to the multitude scatteredas sheephaving no
shepherd. All this was imitated by St. Paul.
VI. THE SPIRIT OF BLESSED ANTICIPATION AS REGARDS THE
FUTURE (Hebrews 12:3). In the same way St. Paul tells us that his one desire
was to finish his course with joy. We should endeavourin our seasons oftrial
to remember that the time is short, and that if we be faithful there is laid up
for us "an exceeding weightof glory, a crownof righteousness."Conclusion:
The subject may be used —
1. By way of self-examination. It is exceedinglydifficult to bring home to the
sinner's conscience, by the mere statement of truth, the guilt which attaches to
him. But let the sinner place his own life by the side of Christ's life.
2. As a principle of guidance. There are perplexing questions which
continually arise in the Christian life. Whenever you canfind Christ's

example as a guide to you in your conduct, you may be perfectly certainthat
yon are safe in the course you adopt.
3. As an encouragementfor Christians. It is according to the will of God that
we should be conformed to the image of His Son. In attempting, therefore, to
reachthis conformity, you are attempting that which is the revealedwill of
God concerning you, and, therefore, which you may reasonablyexpect. He
will give you grace, atleastin some measure, to attain. In the future we shall
be like Him, for "we shall see Him as He is." And the more we see Him now,
the more we live with Him now, the more like Him we shall become.
(E. Bayley, D.D.)
Imitation and commendation
D. Thomas, D.D.
In these words we have —
I. THE PRINCIPLE ON WHICH THE CHARACTERS OF MOST MEN
ARE FORMED. Menare imitative beings, and from a law of their nature
those whom they most admire, and with whom they most associate,they
become like in spirit and in character. The request of Paul at first sight seems
somewhatarrogant, "Be ye followers ofme." No man has a right to make
such an unqualified claim. Hence Paul puts the limitation, "Even as I also am
of Christ." The apostle undoubtedly refers to the preceding verses, in which
he speaks ofhimself as not seeking his own pleasure or profit, but that of
others. This Christ did. He "pleasednot Himself." He means to say, Be like
me as I in this respectresemble Christ. Here is the principle that should
regulate our imitation of men; imitate them just so far as they resemble
Christ. Children should not imitate their parents, pupils their teachers,
congregations their ministers, save so far as they resemble Christ.

II. A COMMENDATION OF MERIT WHICH MANY ARE RELUCTANT
TO RENDER (ver. 2). In some things, then, some of the Corinthians pleased
Paul. There was much in them at which he found fault, but so far as they did
the proper thing he praises them. To render generouslycredit where credit is
due, is the characteristic ofa greatsoul, but one which most men are reluctant
to perform. A wife will go on lovingly attending to the wants and wishes of her
husband, and perhaps not from one year to another does she receive from him
one word of hearty commendation. So with servants and masters, and
ministers and their congregations.
(D. Thomas, D.D.)
A momentous example
Sharpened Arrows.
In one of our westerncities, high up on a very tall building, is a large clock. It
registers whatis called "electric time," and is knownto be very accurate
because it is regulated by the calculations of scientific instruments. On a large
sign is painted, "Correctcitytime," and when one has any doubts about
having the exacttime, he sets his watchby this clock. Greatmills, railroads,
manufactories, run by its time. Should it lose or gain an hour the whole city
would be thrown into confusion. Let us remember, one watch setright will do
to set many by; while, on the other hand, the watchthat goes wrong may be
the means of misleading a whole multitude of others. So it is with life. A
wholly consecratedpersonmay become the example for many, and a wicked
life of sin may, too, be the means of entangling a whole community of
associates."Examine yourselves."
(Sharpened Arrows.)

Imitation of the good
E. Warre, D.D.
It is characteristic ofSt. Paul that in his Epistles, as in his ministry, he uses his
own life, his ownpersonality, almost as if they were not his own; they are as
much at the service of his argument as of his work. Such was the nature of his
self-surrender to Christ. There is much in the faculty of imitation, and in the
facts connectedwith it, that is mysterious, much beyond our ken. Man is
presentedto us in Holy Scripture on the one hand in his first state before the
fall, as a creature of imitation, made after the likeness ofGod. On the other
hand, in his fallen state we find him wearying himself with all kinds of
yearnings after the likeness ofGod manifested in every kind of idolatry. In the
fulness of time Christ came on earth, in His human nature, both restoring the
Divine image and making it possible for man to realise the long lost ideal.
What wonder, then, that St. Paul, realising and profoundly impressedwith
this greatfeature of the Incarnation, should emphasise imitation of himself as
leading to Christ, imitation of Christ, and imitation of God in Christ? What
wonder if of all books (next to the Bible itself) the most dear to devout souls
and spirits striving upwards after heavenly things should be the "Imitatio
Christi" of Thomas A.Kempis? But before we go on to considerhow this can
become potent in our life and practice, we ought not to fail to observe one
aspectof imitation which is of infinite importance to us in its effects for good
or for ill. Imitation is not only a conscious activity, by which we can strive to
follow and adapt ourselves to any example which we may selectforourselves.
It is a part of nature; not only of human nature. It has its unconscious as well
as its consciousside. It pervades animal life to an extent which we are apt to
ignore or forget. It is the first didactic force. It is concernedwith the simplest
and most necessaryproblems of life. By it the young of many animals are first
taught to take their food. For instance, in the case ofchickens hatchedby an
incubator, if they are to be artificially reared, it is necessarythat the example
of picking up their foodshould be set them in some way. By imitation they
learn to live. Imitation, as Darwin has pointed out, is one of the chief factors in
the advancementand modification of such intellectual powers as animals
possess. There are, indeed, subtle indications of its force in lower animal life,
but it is most manifest in birds and in the apes, whose very name furnishes a

verb of kindred meaning. And again, as we rise in the scale ofanimal life, it is
very noticeable as a characteristic ofsavageraces ofmen; of man, indeed, in
what some are wont to call his primitive state. We need hardly dwell upon its
development in civilised man. It is dominant in those arts which claim so large
a portion in his education, his enjoyment of life, his material well-being.
Again, as part of human nature, imitation has two functions, which it is
important that we should observe, explanatory as they are in a measure of
that which we have noticedin the history of man in relation to God. On the
one hand he receivedthe likeness, onthe other hand he sought it outside
himself. Even so, just as in the nervous and muscular system of the body we
have the division into involuntary and voluntary, so the imitative faculty in
man is unconscious and conscious,is passive as well as active. Much more of it
perhaps is unconscious than conscious, andthe mystery of its essentialbeing
and origin is more inexplicable in the former than in the latter. Why is it that
such physical defects as squinting and tricks of movement are said to be
infectious, capable of being communicated at sight to very young children?
Why is it that, as so often happens, a boy's handwriting becomes like his
tutor's? All these instances point to unconscious, involuntary imitation. The
surroundings of a child, of a boy, of a young man, have more effectupon him
than he himself can discern, or any one else candetermine, and that because
of this faculty of imitation, which is part and parcelof his nature. He
assimilates them as he does his food, they become portions of his being, and
affecthis growth, his development, his ultimate destiny. Naymore, it seems as
if these influences became hereditary in their effects. We cannotlimit these
effects to merely physical characteristics orphysical results. If our intellectual
and spiritual being is thus subject to the supreme influence of assimilation and
unconscious imitation, can we doubt its powerin the sphere of morality? "Tell
me who he lives with, and I will tell you who he is," is an old proverb. "With
the holy thou shalt be holy, and with the perfectman thou shalt be perfect.
With the cleanthou shalt be clean, and with the froward thou shalt learn
frowardness." Youth is plastic. And without doubt the first and most
important counselis: "Be not over hasty in making friends"; take heed as to
the associateswhomyou choose to live with. Remember you will probably
become like them. All unconsciouslyyour moral being will receive the
impression of their moral being, their conversation, their tone, their virtues,

or their vices. Unless the soul proposes to itself the imitation of good, it will
prove unconsciouslyto be assimilating and imitating evil. The Apostle Paul
had so devoted himself to the imitation of Christ, that as we have seenhe
regardedhimself as living in Christ, and Christ living in him. This imitation
cannot be without effort, and if, as in the mixed community of Corinth with
all its blemishes, and weaknesses, andgrievous sins, it was not easyto rise to
the ideal of the unseen, yet still the nearerideal of the goodman is better than
none, and the apostle did not hesitate to set his own example before them.
There must be few of us who cannot find some such goodexample, some good
and holy, some pure and honourable, some generous and manly life, to which
we may look with satisfactionand hopefulness, and a desire so to follow it as
to rise "upon the stepping stones of our dead selves to higher things." But
even so the imitation must ultimately be not even of goodand holy men, but of
Christ in them. "Be ye followers ofme even as I also am of Christ." The work
of the Incarnation was not only to restore to humanity the image of the perfect
man in Christ but also the power, to them that believe in Christ, of reflecting
that image, and by conscious andunconscious imitation of becoming more
and more like Him. I know not at what time of life this work of the imitation
of Christ canbe entered upon more freely, more reasonably, more joyfully,
than that in which, when childish things are being put away, the young man
reaching toward the maturity of his physical and mental powers, is still
occupiedwith his own educationand improvement, and is not yet immerged
in the world-life with all its engrossing toilof business and pleasure, its
triumphs, its disappointments, its sorrows, andsoul-enthralling anxieties.
(E. Warre, D.D.)
Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keepthe
ordinances as I delivered them to you
Apostolic commendation
J. W. Burn.
I. ITS GROUNDS.

1. Personal, "thatye remember me."(1)We all like to be remembered,
especiallyby those who owe us much, or betweenus and whom there exist the
tenderestrelationships. These Corinthians owedall their spiritual life and
blessings to the apostle, and it comforted him amidst the toils and perils of his
Ephesianministry to know that he was not forgotten. Nothing would more
sadden a father than to be forgottenby his children, a wife by her husband, a
pastor by his church.(2) We like to be remembered "in all things." They
remembered Paul's preaching, his labours at his handicraft, his sympathy and
helplessness. And when we come acrossanacquaintance that we have not seen
for years, how pleasantit is to be remembered by one's features:tone, gait, or
some other characteristic, andto gatherin conversationthat this and that
incident or word has been treasured up.
2. Moral. The Corinthians not only remembered Paul and what he said; they
remembered to do what he told them. Not the most tender personal
recollections wouldhave compensatedfor the absence ofthis. Paul's wish was
not to be popular, but to be permanently useful. This is what Christ wants: "If
ye love Me, keepMy commandments." This is what we all want: parents,
teachers, ministers, etc., and exact obedience is what is required — "as I
delivered them," adding nothing to them, taking nothing from them, but
keeping them both in the spirit and in the letter.
II. ITS EXPRESSION. This was —
1. Frank and open. Encouraging sentiment is sometimes entertainedwhere it
is not expressed. This does no good. If you feelthat a man deserves your
praise, why not tell him so?

2. Large-heartedand generous. There were a goodmany things which the
apostle could not praise, but was forced to blame the Corinthians; but where
he felt he could praise conscientiouslyhe did so unstintedly.
3. Fraternal, "Brethren." He did not indulge them as children simply to spur
them on, nor flatter them as superiors to secure their patronage. He treated
them as equally next himself concernedabout the prosperity of the Church,
and in their efforts to promote that prosperity he felt them worthy of a
brother's praise.
(J. W. Burn.)
COMMENTARIES
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers
XI.
(1) Be ye followers of me.—See concluding Note on 1 Corinthians 10.
BensonCommentary
1 Corinthians 11:1. Be ye followers of me — Carefully, therefore, follow my
directions, and imitate my example, in condescensionto the weaknessesand
prejudices of others, for their good;even as I also — In this, and in every
thing else, copy after the perfect pattern of our greatLord and Master, Jesus
Christ. This verse evidently belongs to the preceding chapter, where the
apostle had proposed himself as an example, and ought not to have been
separatedfrom it.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary
11:1 The first verse of this chapter seems properly to be the close to the last.
The apostle not only preachedsuch doctrine as they ought to believe, but led
such a life as they ought to live. Yet Christ being our perfectexample, the
actions and conduct of men, as relatedin the Scriptures, should be followed
only so far as they are like to his.
Barnes'Notes on the Bible
Be ye followers ofme - Imitate my example in the matter now under
discussion. As I deny myself; as I seek to give no offence to anyone; as I
endeavornot to alarm the prejudices of others, but in all things to seek their
salvation, so do you. This verse belongs to the previous chapter, and should
not have been separatedfrom it. It is the close ofthe discussionthere.
Even as I also am of Christ - I make Christ my example. He is my model in all
things; and if you follow him, and follow me as far as I follow him, you will
not err. This is the only safe example; and if we follow this, we can never go
astray.
Jamieson-Fausset-BrownBible Commentary
CHAPTER 11
1Co 11:1-34. Censure on Disorders in Their Assemblies:Their Women Not
Being Veiled, and Abuses at the Love-Feasts.
1. Ratherbelonging to the end of the tenth chapter, than to this chapter.
followers—Greek, "imitators."

of Christ—who did not please Himself (Ro 15:3); but gave Himself, at the cost
of laying aside His divine glory, and dying as man, for us (Eph 5:2; Php 2:4,
5). We are to follow Christ first, and earthly teachers only so far as they follow
Christ.1 Corinthians 11:3-16 Paulexhorteth the Corinthians to follow him, as
he
did Christ:
1. He praiseth them for observing the rules he had
given them.
2. And forbiddeth men to pray or prophesy with heads
covered, and women with heads uncovered; the
covering of the head being a token of subjection.
1 Corinthians 11:17-19 He blameth them for abuses in their religious
assemblies, particularlyfor their divisions,
1 Corinthians 11:20-22 and profanation of the Lord’s supper.

1 Corinthians 11:23-34 He remindeth them of the first institution thereof,
and showeththe danger of partaking of it unworthily.
Interpreters judge, that these words do properly belong to the foregoing
chapter, in the last verse of which he had propounded his own example to
them; but whether they be applied to that chapter or this, is not much
material. They teachus, that the examples of the apostles are part of our rule;
yet the modesty of the apostle is remarkable, who requires of his people no
further to follow him than as he followedChrist: nor indeed ought any man to
require more of those that are under his charge, than to follow him so far
forth as he imitates the Lord Jesus Christ.
Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible
Be ye followers ofme, even as I also am of Christ. &c. These words more
properly close the preceding chapter, than begin a new one, and refer to the
rules therein laid down, and which the apostle would have the Corinthians
follow him in, as he did Christ: that as he sought, both in private and public,
and more especiallyin his ministerial service, to do all things to the glory of
God, and not for his own popular applause, in which he imitated Christ, who
sought not his own glory, but the glory of him that sent him; so he would have
them do all they did in the name of Christ, and to the glory of God by him:
and that as he studied to exercise a consciencevoid of offence to God and
man, in doing which he was a followerof Christ, who was holy in his nature,
and harmless and inoffensive in his conversation;so he was desirous that they
should likewise be blameless, harmless, and without offence until the day of
Christ: and that whereas he endeavouredto please men in all things lawful
and indifferent, wherein he copiedafter Christ, who by his affable and
courteous behaviour, and humble deportment, sought to please and gratify all
with whom he conversed;so he would have them not to mind high things, but
condescendto men of low estates, andbecome all things to all, that they might

gain some as he did: and once more, that as he soughtnot his own pleasure
and advantage, but the salvation of others, in imitation of Christ, who pleased
not himself, but took upon him, and bore cheerfully, the reproaches ofmen,
that he might procure good for them; so the apostle suggests, thatit would be
right in them not to seek to have their own wills in every thing, but rather to
please their neighbour for goodto edification.
Geneva Study Bible
Be ye followers ofme, even as I also am of Christ.
EXEGETICAL(ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)
Meyer's NT Commentary
1 Corinthians 11:1 belongs still to the preceding section.
Become imitators of me. Become so, Paulwrites, for there was as yet a sad
lack of practicalevidence of this imitation; see also 1 Corinthians 10:32 (comp
Kühner, a[1747]Xen. Anab. i. 7. 4).
κἀγώ]as I also have become an imitator, namely, of Christ. Comp on
Matthew 15:3. Christ as the highest pattern of the spirit describedin 1
Corinthians 10:33. Comp Php 2:4 ff.; Romans 15:3; Ephesians 5:2; Matthew
20:28.
[1747]d refers to the note of the commentator or editor named on the
particular passage.
Cambridge Bible for Schools andColleges
Ch. 1 Corinthians 11:1. This verse belongs to the former chapter, and
concludes the argument, as in ch. 1 Corinthians 4:16.
Bengel's Gnomen

1 Corinthians 11:1. Μιμηταί μου, imitators [followers]of me) He adds this
verse to the former to show, that we must look to Christ, not to him [the
apostle], as our highestexample.—Χριστοῦ, of Christ) who did not please
Himself, Romans 15:3, but gave Himself at all costs for our salvation,
Ephesians 5:2.
Pulpit Commentary
Verse 1. - Followers ofme; rather, imitators of me; follow herein my example,
as I follow Christ's. What Christ's example was, in that he too "pleasednot
himself," he sets forth in Romans 15:1-3; and the generalprinciple of self
abnegationfor the sake ofothers in Philippians 2:4-8. This verse ought to be
included in ch. 10. It sums up the whole argument, and explains the long
digressionof ch. 9. As I also am of Christ. This limits the reference to his own
example. I only ask you to imitate me in points in which I imitate Christ.
Vincent's Word Studies
Followers (μιμηταί)
Lit., imitators, as Rev. This verse belongs to the closing sectionof ch. 10.
PRECEPTAUSTIN RESOURCES
BRUCE HURT
1 Corinthians 11:1 Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ. (NASB:
Lockman)
1 Co 4:16; Therefore I exhort you, be imitators of me.

Phi 3:17 Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk
according to the pattern you have in us.
Greek:mimetai, mou ginesthe kathos kago. Christou
Amplified: Pattern yourselves afterme [follow my example], as I imitate and
follow Christ (the Messiah). (Amplified Bible - Lockman)
Complete Jewish:try to imitate me, even as I myself try to imitate the Messiah
Ed: I do not like this translation as it seems to suggestwe needto exert self-
effort, which is only half true, for the only way we can carry out this
command is by renouncing self-effortand relying wholly on the Holy Spirit's
enablement! Not "Let go and let God" but "Let God and let's go!"
ESV: Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.
KJV: Be ye followers ofme, even as I also am of Christ.
NET Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.
NIV: Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.
NLT: And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.

Phillips: Copy me, my brothers, as I copy Christ himself. (Phillips:
Touchstone)
Wuest: Become imitators of me, even as I also am an imitator of Christ
(Eerdmans)
Young's Literal: Followers ofme become ye, as I also am of Christ. (1Co 11:1
YLT)
The Christ Life
In this verse Paul calls all believers to imitate his life, just as He imitated the
life of Christ. To take it a step further, Paul is calling us to live the "Christ
life," even as he did in Galatians 2:20-note. To live the Christ life is not a
matter of "trying" but of "dying." In other words it is daily surrendering to
the Spirit of Jesus and allowing Him to enable us to live like Christ lived. It is
to allow the Spirit of Christ to live through me, daily giving me the desire and
the power(Phil 2:13NLT-note)to live as Jesus lived while on earth as a Man
(1 John 2:6-note). Jesus saidthat He came to give life and give it abundantly.
The Christ life is the abundant life Jesus promised(John 10:10b). It is a life of
faith and obedience. It is a life which gives greatglory to the Father (Mt 5:16),
for others see us living in a manner that is not natural but supernatural. For
example, they see us forgiving when the normal human reactionwould be
unforgiving and even to avenge a wrong (cp Ro 12:19-note). And the only way
to live in this manner is to daily be filled with Spirit (Eph 5:18-note) and walk
by the Spirit of Christ (Gal 5:16-note). Father in Heaven, by Your Spirit grant
eachus the desire and the powerto live the "Christlife" for His glory. Amen
1 CORINTHIANS 11:1
A MISPLACED PASSAGE

1 Corinthians 11:1 is a verse that should never have been severedfrom 1
Corinthians 10 when Stephen Langton added the Bible chapter divisions in
1205!
Krell adds that Stephen Langton was "a professorin Paris (he later became
Archbishop of Canterbury), who put these into a Vulgate edition of the Bible.
It was Robert Stephanus, a Parisianbook printer, who took over the verse
divisions already indicated in the Hebrew Bible and assignednumbers to them
within the chapter divisions already assignedby Stephan Langton. While
riding on horseback from Paris to Lyons he affixed his own verse divisions to
the NT and numbered them within Langton’s chapter divisions. Prior to that
time when folks lookedat Old and New Testamentmanuscripts, there were no
divisions, just one continuous long epistle from beginning to end." (1
Corinthians 10:14-11:1 Community Jeopardy)
Jon Courson- If chapters 10 and 11 were divided most logically, this verse
would be at the end of chapter10. After ending his discussionof Christian
liberty, Paul simply says, “If you want to know what to do—just follow me.”
Paul’s is a statementI pray we can make increasingly our own when our kids
are confused, our neighbors are questioning, or newer Christians are
wondering about what they should do.
Context of Christian Liberty - (Note this sectionprobably begins back in 1Cor
8:1ff - e.g., see William Baker's commentbelow)1Cor 10:23 All things are
lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all
things edify.
24 Let no one seek his own good, but that of his neighbor.

25 Eat anything that is sold in the meat market, without asking questions for
conscience'sake;
26 FOR THE EARTH IS THE LORD'S, AND ALL IT CONTAINS.
27 If one of the unbelievers invites you, and you wish to go, eatanything that
is set before you, without asking questions for conscience'sake.
28 But if anyone should sayto you, "This is meat sacrificedto idols," do not
eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for conscience'sake;
29 I mean not your own conscience, but the other man's; for why is my
freedom judged by another's conscience?
30 If I partake with thankfulness, why am I slanderedconcerning that for
which I give thanks?
31 Whether, then, you eator drink or whateveryou do, do all to the glory of
God.
32 Give no offense either to Jews orto Greeks orto the church of God;
33 just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my ownprofit but the
profit of the many, so that they may be saved.

11:1 Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.
Keith Krell - Paul closes the sectionin the lasttwo verses with an unsettling
invitation. We could ask ourselves, “CouldI issue the same invitation Paul
does?” He says that his own life is a pattern of freedom in Jesus Christ, and he
invites other people to imitate him. In 1 Cor 10:33-11:1, Paulwrites: “stas I
also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit but the profit of the
many, so that they may be saved. Be imitators of me, just as I also am of
Christ.”36 Pauldoesn’t mean that he was a man-pleaser(cf. Gal 1:10). His
concernwas that his life would be attractive so that they would be drawn to
Jesus in him. “Saved” in this context probably includes Christians and means
savedin the wide sense of delivered from anything that keeps someone from
advancing spiritually (cf. Rom 15:1-3).37 Paulis not content simply to live his
life as an example for the Corinthians to emulate; he actually instructs them
to (lit.) become “imitators” of him. (cf. 1Cor4:16). For Paul, as an apostle of
Christ, it wasn’t just a matter of preaching and teaching. It was a matter of
living out the truth that he taught. And in many of those cities Paul went to,
he would be the first and only Christian they would see. So watching him live
his life was very important for them to understand the reality of the
gospel.Paulis asking everyone of us through this entire passage, “Doyou
want to know what it means to live a consistentChristian life? Do you want to
properly balance freedom and restraint? Do you want to be in the world and
not of the world? Do you want to have a positive spiritual influence in your
community, but not allow that community to mold you so you compromise
what’s true and what’s right? Do you want to live a balanced life, not being
driven by the extremes of legalismor it’s opposite, selfishlicense? If you do,
then watchme, follow me, live with me. I may not be perfect, but I try to
imitate the selfless life that Christ lived. I want to glorify God in what I say
and what I do and in the attitudes of my heart. To the extent that I succeed,
then the goodnews is that you can, too.” (1 Corinthians 10:14-11:1
Community Jeopardy)

A goodleader knows the way,
shows the way, and goes the way.
IMITATIO CHRISTI
Charles Spurgeononce said that "A Christian should be a striking likeness of
Jesus Christ...We shouldbe pictures of Christ....Oh!My brethren, there is
nothing that canso advantage you, nothing canso prosper you, so assistyou,
so make you walk towards heaven rapidly, so keepyour head upwards
towards the sky, and your eyes radiant with glory, like the imitation of Jesus
Christ.
To follow in the steps of those
Whose eyes are on the Lord
Will help to keepus strong and true,
And faithful to His Word. —D. De Haan
Imitate those who imitate Christ.
Be imitators - The verb be is present imperative calling for this to be our
lifestyle. Every command in the NT (880 present imperatives and 762 aorist
imperatives) is a call for us to renounce self-reliance and to rely wholly on the
Holy Spirit. Or statedanother, we cannot obey any of the >1500 commands in
the NT unless we are filled with and enabledby the Holy Spirit. To attempt to
fulfill Paul's command to be imitators (or any command) in our own strength
will only result in futility and frustration for our fallen flesh will eventually

fail us. As John MacArthur says "If we do not obey this command (he is
referring to Eph 5:18 - be filled with the Spirit), we cannotobey any other—
simply because we cannotdo any of God’s will apart from God’s Spirit.
Outside of the command for unbelievers to trust in Christ for salvation, there
is no more practicaland necessarycommand in Scripture than the one for
believers to be filled with the Spirit."
There's no better sermon
than a goodexample.
Be (Become)(1096)(ginomai) means to cause to be ("gen"-erate), to become,
to come into existence, to be formed. The verb ginomai is in the present
imperative which means that the only way to continually obey is by
renouncing self-reliance and relying on the Spirit's energizing us, giving us the
DESIRE and the POWER (Php 2:13NLT-note). Our responsibility is to work
out what the Spirit works in (Php 2:12-note). If you try to live like Christ
without relying on the same means He relied on to conduct Himself (the Holy
Spirit - see Lk 4:1, 14, Acts 10:38, etc), you will become frustrated and fail.
The only one who could enable us to live like Jesus lived is the Spirit of Jesus
(Acts 16:7)!
Here is an example from a sermon by Bishop Beveridge on the "means" by
which we can imitate Christ - "(1)Watch always over thy heart (1Pe 5:8; Pr
4:23). (2) Live as under the eye of God. (3) Consider thou art a Christian."
(Following Christians and Following Christ) Notice that there is no mention of
the Holy Spirit. We must remember that Jesus "emptied" Himself when He
left heavento become a Man (Php 2:6-7). He relied on the Spirit's anointing
and empowerment, not His own divine power(Lk 4:14, etc). Is this
mysterious? To be sure. But it is also Biblical. And to tell someone to follow
the example of Jesus (1Pe 2:21)and fail to tell them how this is possible (the

indwelling, continually "energizing" Spirit - Php 2:13NLT), is to place them
under the law and set them up for a spiritual exercise in futility!
Imitators (3402)(mimetes)means one who follows. Mimetes basicallymeans to
copy or imitate someone's behaviorand has many relatedwords in English -
"mime" (one who acts out an imitation of another person or animal),
"pantomime" (a theater production which originally was without words),
"mimeograph" (a machine which makes many copies from one stencil).
Webstersays that to imitate means to follow as a pattern, model, or example;
to be or appear like. The1828Websters evensays in the definition of imitate
that...
We should seek the best models to imitate, and in morals and piety, it is our
duty to imitate the example of our Savior. (Reference)
Writing to the saints at Corinth Paul said...
I exhort you therefore, be imitators of me. (1Cor 4:16)
Be (present imperative) imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ. (1Cor
11:1)
Similarly Paul commanded the predominantly Gentile believers in Ephesus
to...

Be (present imperative) imitators of God, as beloved children (Ephesians 5:1-
note)
The writer of Hebrews exhorted his predominantly Jewishaudience...
that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and
patience inherit the promises. (Heb 6:12-note)
In ancient Greek mimetes referred to imitation. Aristotle used the word to
describe how people imitated animals, postulating that at the beginning of
civilization men learned from animals, e.g., weaving and spinning from
spiders, and house-building from swallows!
W. Bauder - Very early on (in Democritus of the pre-Socratics)the words
were used to express ethical demands made on men. One should take as one's
model the boldness of a hero, or one should imitate the goodexample of one's
teacheror parents... The Rabbis were the first to speak of imitation of God in
the sense ofdeveloping the image of God in men. In the Pseudepigrapha in
addition to the exhortation to imitate men of outstanding character(Test. Ben.
3:1; 4:1) one can also find the thought of the imitation of God (i.e. keeping his
commands, Test. Ash. 4:3) and of particular characteristicsofGod (Aristeas
188, 210, 280 f.). (Brown, Colin, Editor. New International Dictionary of NT
Theology. 1986. Zondervan)
Teachers basedtheir whole educationalprocedure on imitation, as students
imitated the behavior of teachers. Slowlythe idea developedthat people
should imitate the gods, and Plato emphasized this.

Joyfully following Jesus the Lord
And trusting His leadevery day
Makes us examples that others cansee
To follow when trials come their way.
—Sper
Others should imitate us
only as far as we imitate Christ.
The basic meaning of mimetes is seenin a mime. An English woman went to
France to study under the famous mime artist, MarcelMarceau. All day he
taught his students how to make the movements of mime, and eachevening
they went to see him perform. Their performances were marked indelibly by
the style of the master. This is an excellentpicture of a Christian who imitates
the Lord by exposure to Him.
A person who mimes acts a part with mimic gesture and action, usually
without words. Let your actions speak louderthan your words and then you
will have a platform to proclaim the word of truth, the gospel. As believers in
their messagethe Thessalonians beganto pattern their lives after the example
setby the missionaries. This fact rejoicedthe heart of Paul as it was open
evidence of the reality of the Thessalonianbelievers'conversionand therefore
of their divine election. The Thessalonians had become third generation
mimics of Christ. Christ is the first; Paul is the second;and the Thessalonians
are the third. The Thessalonianbelievers imitated the Lord and Paul
(Silvanus, Timothy) in that they responded to the gospelin spite of affliction.
Note that Paul did not write what reportedly was said by one pastor"Do as I
say; not as I do." Unfortunately this saying has characterizednumerous
preachers, many of whom have reputations as great teachers ofGod's Word.

However, when their lives are measuredby the Bible's qualifications for
communication and character, suchministers come up woefully short. Make
sure you mime the right model!
As an African chief once said: A goodexample is the tallestkind of preaching.
Be like Jesus, this my song,
In the home and in the throng;
Be like Jesus, allday long!
I would be like Jesus.
—Rowe
Nothing is more attractive
than being like Jesus.
JonathanEdwards was so concernedabout the example which he setwhich
others might imitate, that he framed the resolve to "neverto do anything
which I would be afraid to do if it were the last hour of my life." Find a man
like this and become an imitator of him!
Here is a secularquote that has more truth in it then we would like to believe
(think of "spiritual children") "Children have never been very goodat
listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them. They must,
they have no other models. (James Baldwin)

Our children watchand imitate
The things we sayand do;
So if we imitate the Lord,
They'll imitate Him too.
—Sper
Children may close their ears to advice,
but their eyes are always open to example.
Here's anotherquote worth pondering in this area of imitation "We
unconsciouslyimitate what pleases us and approximate to the characters we
most admire. (Christian NestellBovee_
In his preface to the writings of Shakespeare, SamuelJohnsonwrote that
"Example is always more efficacious than precept."
Merrill Tenney once saidthat "The best advertisement for your church is not
a large notice board, but rather the example that is set when the town drunk
becomes a Christian and lives a godly life."
As shown in the uses of mimetes below Scripture always uses this word in a
positive sense.
Richards writes that mimetes "is a call to reproduce in our ownway of life
(Ed: NOT by self effort but Spirit power, daily learning to yield our rights to

Him, allowing Him to control us as we abide in the Vine Christ Jesus)those
godly qualities that result from salvationand that we see in others. The idea is
intimately linked with the thought that teachers and leaders ought to be clear,
living examples of the practical implications of commitment to Jesus.
(Richards, L O: Expository Dictionaryof Bible Words: Regency)
Mimetes is found 6 times in the NAS (always translatedimitators (KJV has
"followers")
I (Paul) exhort you (Corinthians) therefore, be imitators of me. (1Cor 4:16)
Be imitators of me (Corinthians are urged to imitate the self-sacrificing
example of Paul and Christ), just as I also am of Christ. (1 Cor 11:1)
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children (Eph 5:1-note) and walk in
love, just as Christ also loved you, and gave Himself up for us, an offering and
a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. (Eph 5:2-note) (Comment: Just as God
forgave us so we should forgive others Eph 4:32 [note])
For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus
that are in Judea (the problems of the believers at Thessalonicaamong their
fellow Gentiles were similar to those of the believers in Judea who were
persecutedby Jews), for you also endured the same sufferings at the hands of
your own countrymen, even as they did from the Jews (1Thes 2:14-note)
And we desire that eachone of you show the same diligence so as to realize the
full assurance ofhope until the end, that you may not be sluggish, but
imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises (Be

diligent just as OT saints like Abraham were, knowing that what has been
promised will be fulfilled). (Hebrews 6:11-12)(By the way, this verse provides
ample reasonfor saints today to read biographies of saints of yesteryear.)
Robert Morganhas an illustration entitled "It Stirs Me Up Much"...
Jim Elliot, who gave his life while trying to reach the Auca Indians, was
largely shapedthrough the reading of Christian biography.
I see the value of Christian biography tonight, he wrote in his journal, 'as I
have been reading Brainerd's Diary much today. It stirs me up much to pray
and wonder at my nonchalance while I have not power from God. I have
consideredHeb 13:7 (note) just now, regarding the remembrance of certain
ones who spake the word of God, 'considerthe outcome of their life, and
imitate their faith'.
I recallnow the challenge ofGoforth's Life and By My Spirit, read in the
summer of 1947, the encouragementof Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secret, and
The Growth of a Soul. There are incidents which instruct me now from the
reading of J. G. Paton's biography, read lastwinter. And now this fresh
Spirit-quickened history of Brainerd. O Lord, let me be granted grace to
'imitate their faith.'
It has since been through the reading of Elliot's journals that scores ofyoung
people have given their lives to the service ofthe Gospel. (Morgan, R. J.
Nelson's Complete Book ofStories, Illustrations, and Quotes:Thomas Nelson
Publishers) (I highly recommend reading Hudson Taylor's "Spiritual Secret"
which can be downloaded free Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secret)

Imitators is perfectly illustrated by this sectionof Scripture for the
Thessalonians followedthe apostles'example especiallyby gladly enduring
persecution(with joy) for the Gospel's sakeand also (1Th 1:8) by sounding
forth the gospelwith others.
Hiebert commenting on the use of mimetes in 1Thes 1:8adds that
Paul's description of the converts as mimitae (from which we getour English
word mimic) does not imply that their conversionwas artificialor insincere. It
does not have the belittling connotation of our English derivative. It was no
superficial or slavish copying of merely external resemblances. As De Boer
well remarks, 'It was an imitation in the deep and basic sense of the word; it
was a bringing to expressionin their own lives of what they had seenand
detectedoutside of themselves. It was a capturing of something they had
witnessedaround them and making it a part of themselves.'Clearly their
conversionwent beyond mere verbal profession. They actively beganto
express in their own lives the characteristics ofthis new life as they observedit
in the lives of the missionaries. It was an imitation perfectly consistentwith
the development of their own selfhoodwithin this new life. Such imitation
demands moral effort (cp Ezek 36:27 where the first half speaks ofthe
provision of divine power and the secondhalf the necessityofpersonal
responsibility). (Hiebert, D. Edmond: 1 & 2 Thessalonians)
In 1Thes 1:8 Paul writes that the Thessaloniansbecame imitators of us and of
the Lord. So there he is holding up the lives of Silas and Timothy (1Th 1:1) as
additional lives that worthy of following! Hiebert explains that "The order (us
followedby the Lord) may at first strike us as startling, but it is the logical
order. It is the natural order in the experience of converts on a new mission
field. Even before the messageofa missionary is fully understood or
personally accepted, the hearers will observe the outworking of that message
in the life of the missionary. And when the Spirit leads them to a personal

acceptanceofthe message, the new converts naturally look to the missionary
to learn how to live the Christian life. To reflecttheir message in their own
lives is part of the work of missionaries." (Hiebert, D. Edmond: 1 & 2
Thessalonians)
Pulpit Commentary - Christ not only died as a Sacrifice, but lived as an
Example. He is the greatExample Whom we must imitate, the Patternof the
new creation, the Original of which all believers are copies. Especiallywe
must imitate Him in His patient endurance of suffering. The cross is ever the
Christian's motto."
As F B Meyeronce wrote "Children mostly resemble their father. There is
often an unmistakable family likeness, whichcompels the most casual
observerto exclaim, "The very image of his father." Oh that in eachof us
there might be that which would make men think of God! (Our Daily Homily)
Jesus, my Savior, let me be
More perfectly conformed to Thee;
Implant eachgrace, eachsindethrone,
And form my temper like Thine own.
THE COMMAND
QUALIFIED
Just as I am of Christ - "Am" is added to make translation smooth. Just as is
a term of comparisonwhich should always prompt the question "Whatis the

writer comparing?" Clearly Paul is saying become like me in the ways that I
am like Christ.
Be aware that someone's watching
As you go along your way;
Your example is remembered
More than anything you say.
—Hess
There's no better sermon
than a goodexample.
Keep in mind that most of the New Testamentwas not written yet and so
Paul's life was the Bible that most of the new believer's read (of course they
had access to his letters but those were written over many years - Click to see
a list of approximate dates in which the Bible books written - notice that
1Corinthians is one of the earlier books making Paul's example of paramount
importance). And so twice in his first letter to the church at Corinth (a church
in greatneed of a reliable role model) Paul commands the saints to walk as he
himself walkedexplaining that he sought to imitate Christ's walk.
Paul is not boasting in himself but ultimately in Christ Who he follows.
As a believer it is fine to follow a man, but just make sure he is a man who
follows Christ!

How was Paul like Christ? It seems that one of the clearestdescriptions is
found in his famous declaration"I have been crucified with Christ; and it is
no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the
flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered Himself up
for me.." (Galatians 2:20-note)
John MacArthur has a devotionalentitled The Model of Witnessing (1Cor
11:1) - Christ is the perfect model to imitate in witnessing to others. First, He
was available. Although there were times when He left the crowds, Jesus was
regularly among the people, even when He was busy.
Second, He wasn’tpartial. Often Jesus was with common people, lepers,
prostitutes, and tax collectors—those belonging to the lowerclasses socially
and morally. But He also helped a Roman centurion, a man of dignity and
stature (Matt. 8:5-13), and ministered to wealthy Jairus, whose daughter
needed a miracle (Mark 5:22-24, 35-43). Jesusreflectedthe mind of God, who
is no respecterofpersons (Acts 10:34).
Third, He was sensitive to the pain of others. In Mark 5, a lady with a
hemorrhage for twelve years reachedout and touched Christ’s garment. Jesus
asked, “Who touchedMy garments?” (Mk 5:30) out of concernfor her.
Last, He secureda public confessionfrom those who believed in Him, such as
the blind man (John 9:1-41), and the Samaritanleper (Luke 17:11-19).
Follow Christ’s example as you witness to others. (Truth for today : a daily
touch of God's grace)

Henry Blackaby's devotionalon 1Cor 11:1 - Role Models
Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. 1 Corinthians 11:1
Who are your role models? Are you aware of the effectthat others have on
you? We are all influenced by other people, sometimes for goodand
sometimes for bad. Those who claim to be their own person, boasting that no
one influences them, are living in denial. The question is not, Will someone
influence me? but, Who is going to influence me?
Paul understood that the ultimate role model is Christ. As he strove to be like
Christ, he urged others to follow his example. Paul was not boasting; he
understood fully that the only things in his life worth emulating were the
things that were like Jesus. He was taking on the responsibility of mentor, and
he took it seriously. He was motivated by love for those Christians less mature
in their faith than he was. His desire was not that they be like him, but like
Christ.
We often choose ourrole models unwisely. We idolize sports heroes or other
celebrities, knowing very little about their character. Thenwe are crushed to
discoverthat our heroes are not all that we thought. It is important to be
smart about role models we choose.Takestockofwho exerts the most
influence in your life right now. Is it someone whose example you’d be better
off not following? Considerending an unhealthy relationship and seeking out
those who, by their example, will show you how to be more like Jesus. (The
Experience)
One theologiansaid, “All people are createdin the imago dei—the image of
God. All believers are calledto the imitatio Christi—the imitation of Christ.”

While that sounds very spiritual, the truth is that many professing believers
are far from "imitatio Christi" and more like "imitatio kosmos," (so to speak)
imitators of the world. Followers (disciples)ofChrist should follow Christ by
imitating Him. Of course the only way to imitate Christ is to live by the same
powersource He lived by during His life. And what was His source of
supernatural power? It was the Holy Spirit, Who symbolically anointed Him
at His baptism thereby inaugurating His ministry (Mt 3:16-17), and then
filling and leading Him into a time of trial and testing (Mt 4:1-2, Luke 4:1-2)
and finally empowering Him for His revolutionary three and one half year
ministry (Lk 4:14). You say, "But He was God, so surely He functioned as a
Man in His divine power." Paul explains that He relinquished His divine
prerogatives in His incarnation. In so doing He provided for us the perfect
example of how a man should live before God. The first Adam failed and
sinned, falling out of the Father's will. The SecondAdam remained sinless and
continually lived in perfect submission to His Father's will. In Acts 10:38
Petergives us a summary or overview of Jesus'earthly ministry explaining
"You know of Jesus ofNazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit
and with power(HIS SUPERNATURAL POWER), andhow He went about
(HIS SUPERNATURALPRACTICE)doing good, and healing all who were
oppressedby the devil; for God was with Him (HIS SUPERNATURAL
PROVISION)." He gave us this example that we might follow in His steps,
trusting not in our natural ability or fleshly power, but wholly leaning on the
Spirit's provision and powerto enable us to walk as more than conquerors in
Christ, in the "Imitatio Christi."
We see this pattern repeatedlyin the New TestamentGod's call for believers
to "be imitators" ultimately of Jesus, the perfectexample of the perfect Man...
1 Cor 4:16 Therefore (basedon what he has just said - see Taylor's discussion)
I exhort you , be imitators of me.

Mark Taylor has an insightful note on 1Cor4:16 and the verses in the
preceding context - There is a significantconnectionbetweenPaul’s
description of suffering and the teaching of Jesus atthis point, which paves
the wayfor the exhortation of imitation in 4:16-17. Paul’s catalog of
tribulations puts Christian values in stark contrastto worldly values. The
world’s opinion of the apostles maybe summed up in two phrases, translated
by the NIV as “scum of the earth” and “refuse of the world,” terms used
metaphorically for anything contemptible. Apostles were regardedby the
world as the most detestable of all people, but, as such, the apostles incarnated
the scandalof the cross.....
The focus of 1Cor4:14-17, which is closelylinked to 1Cor4:6-13, is apostolic
imitation. To this point in the argument Paul has establishedthat his ministry
among them embodied the wisdom of God (1Cor2:1-5,13-16;3:10), that he
and other apostles are living examples of Christ crucified (Ed: cf Gal 2:20)
(1Cor4:9-13).....
In light of all that Paul has argued to this point in the letter and in light of his
role as the founder of the church in Corinth, their father in the Gospel, he has
establishedhis right to say(literally), “Become imitators of me.” He has not
written to shame but to admonish (1Cor4:14). But how are they to imitate
Paul? 1Cor4:17 explains that it has to do with his way of life in Christ. The
most immediate example (Ed: The context) is 1Cor4:9-13, which includes not
only the reality of suffering for the Gospelbut also the proper response to
those who inflict it (4:12-13) (Ed: Compare Peter's exhortation regarding
suffering for doing right in 1Pe 2:20-21 and the proper response to unjust
suffering in 1Pe 2:22-23). To imitate Paul would be to walk in the way of
humility and suffering and godliness for the cause of Christ. Imitation is not
the same as saying, “I belong to Paul!” Rather, Paul wants them to incarnate
the cross (Ed: Which recalls Paul's famous declarationin Galatians 2:20. And
so Paul is calling the readers to imitate the crucified life in their daily
experience. All believers have been crucified with Christ positionally but it is

quite another thing to live it out in our daily lives as Jesus advocatedin Mk
8:34-35, Lk 9:23), to live out their Christian identity in a real and meaningful
way, to become true disciples of Christ. This teaching, Paul claims, is
universal to all the churches and not specific only to the church at Corinth
(see also 1Cor7:17; 11:16;14:33-36). There was a consistencyof apostolic
teaching and expectationof imitation in all the churches (Ed: Nor was Paul
the only apostle who exhorted the saints to be imitators of Christ - e.g. Peterin
1Pe 2:21 and John in 1Jn2:6). Paul’s sending Timothy was not a specialcase
in the sense that unusual demands would be made of the Corinthians. The
Corinthians are part of a greaterwhole (cf. 1 Cor 1:1-2).....Paulhimself plans
to visit Corinth in person (1Cor4:18-21), but until he comes he wants
Timothy’s actualpresence in Corinth to remind them of his pattern of life in
Christ. The implication that “presence”is a necessarycomponentof
“imitation” is hard to miss. (1 Corinthians - New American Commentary)
Comment: Paul's exhortation is clearly synonymous with a call to discipleship,
for a disciple was to follow his teacherand ultimately to imitate him. (See 2Ti
3:10) As an aside, as Taylor alludes to above, it is difficult to imitate someone
without being in their presence.
Php 3:17 Brethren, join (more literally "become followers"-present
imperative = an "opportunity" to jettisonself-reliance and rely on the Spirit)
in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern
you have in us.
John 13:15 “ForI gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you.
How many of us could say - "My life is the book from which I want you to
learn?'' or "My life agrees withmy teaching''?

If we would desire to be men who make disciples able to make disciples, then
we need to be able to confidently declare to them "Be imitators of me, just as I
am of Jesus."
This is also a goodpattern for any spiritual activity we do (or any praise we
receive for so doing) -- to point away from ourselves and to Christ!
As a corollary, it is not wrong to follow the example of a man, as long as that
man is following Christ!
Leon Morris - He calls on his converts to imitate him, but in the very actof
saying this he points them awayfrom himself. The reasonthey should imitate
him is that he imitates Christ. His example points them to the Saviour. (1
Corinthians,1985,Tyndale NewTestamentCommentaries)
W E Vine on 1Cor11:1 - this verse obviously belongs to the end of chapter
ten. The principle Paul has just statedas to his own actions he exhorts his
readers to follow, and he does so, not in the spirit of self-advertisement, but
because Christis the controlling example for all, the principle being that of
the sacrifice ofour ownrights and likes with a view to the interests and profit
of others. See Romans 15:1–3. (Collectedwritings of W. E. Vine)
Mark Taylor on 1Cor11:1 - All things boil down to the imitation of Paul who
imitates Christ, and Paul imitates Christ by not seeking the things of himself
but what is for the benefit of others that they might be saved(1Cor10:33-
11:1; cf. 1Cor10:24). Ultimately the paradigm of “Christ crucified” (1Cor
1:23; 2:2) is the guiding principle for Christian decision-making and behavior.
(Ibid)

John MacArthur - Paul closes this section, which in thought extends into
chapter 11, with a practicalsuggestionforfollowing the principles of
Christian liberty. Becausethe apostle lived in such a way as to please allmen
in all things, not seeking [his] own profit, but the profit of the many, that they
may be saved, he could safelytell the Corinthians to follow his example. He
had lived and ministered in Corinth for eighteenmonths, and the believers
there knew him well. “You remember how I lived when I was with you,” he is
saying. “Live like that yourselves.” Paul’s goalwas to bring people to
salvation. He was willing to setaside anything for that (cf. 1Cor9:19–23).
The reasonPaulwas so confident and successfulin his Christian living in
general, and in the responsible use of his Christian liberty in particular, was
that he was an imitator of Christ, the supreme example of One who set aside
His rights for the sake ofothers, the One who “emptied Himself, taking the
form of a bond–servant” and “humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the
point of death” (Phil. 2:7–8). Paul calledthe Corinthians to imitate him as he
imitated the God–glorifying condescensionof Christ (cf. 4:16; Phil. 3:17).
(1Corinthians, MacArthur New TestamentCommentary).
John Butler - The copying of Paul. “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of
Christ” (I Corinthians 11:1). In view of the problem in Corinth of being man
followers, it is important to understand that the word “followers” here means
imitators. Paul wanted the believers to imitate him even as he imitated Christ.
Earlier Paul requestedthe same thing (I Corinthians 4:16). Paul was not
soliciting a group of followers. He only wanted the believers to conduct
themselves as he conducted himself in imitating Christ. Notmany men can say
this. Most men are like the religious leaders of Christ’s day of whom Christ
said to do as these leaders say, but do not behave as they do (Matthew 23:3).
(Analytical Bible Expositor: I & II Corinthians)

Expositor's Greek - Paul’s personalexample played a large part in his
argument (9); it is fitting he should refer to it in summing up.
Roy Ciampa - Christ’s example of putting the needs of others before his own
freedom or rights, and especiallyof doing whateveris necessaryto secure
their salvation(see againthe preceding verse), was clearly the motivating
force behind Paul’s own approach to ministry as he has described it to the
Corinthians and promoted it as a model for them to follow. (Pillar New
TestamentCommentary)
Pulpit Commentary on 1Cor11:1—Followersofme; rather, imitators of me;
follow herein my example, as I follow Christ’s. What Christ’s example was, in
that he too “pleasednot himself,” he sets forth in Rom. 15:1–3;and the
generalprinciple of self-abnegationfor the sake of others in Phil. 2:4–8. This
verse ought to be included in ch. 10. It sums up the whole argument, and
explains the long digressionofch. 9. As I also am of Christ. This limits the
reference to his own example. I only ask you to imitate me in points in which I
imitate Christ.
Richard Pratt on 1Cor11:1 - Paul’s commitment to seeking the salvationof
the lostled him to subjugate his personalpreferences and freedoms to the
goodof others. As a result of the consistencywith which Paul fulfilled this
service, he felt capable of encouraging the Corinthians to follow his example
as he followedthe example of Christ. Christ gave up his freedom and honor,
humbling himself to the point of death on a cross, in order to save others (Phil.
2:5–8). Paul encouragedthe Corinthians to remember Christ’s greatsacrifice
as the perfectmodel of love and concernfor others (see Eph. 4:32–5:1). (I & II
Corinthians, Holman New TestamentCommentary)

Bruce Barton on 1Cor 11:1 - This verse belongs at the conclusionof chapter
10, not at the beginning of chapter 11, where it has been traditionally placed.
Paul had just told the Corinthians that his goalwas to seek the goodof others,
not himself. In this regard, Paul called upon them to imitate him. Elsewhere
Paul had encouragedthe believers to imitate him. In 1Cor4:15–16, he had
stated, “Foreven if you had ten thousand others to teachyou about Christ,
you have only one spiritual father. ForI became your father in Christ Jesus
when I preachedthe GoodNews to you. So I ask you to follow my example
and do as I do” (NLT, see commentary on 1Cor4:14–16;see also Eph 5:1;
1Th 1:6; 1Th2:14). As in chapter 4, Paul’s words were not prideful. He had
just spent three chapters explaining how the Corinthian believers needed to
deal with the issue of eating meat that had been offered to idols. His
conclusionof the matter balancedfreedom in Christ with responsibility to
love the “weaker”believers. All Christians should be so focusedon bringing
others to Christ that nothing stands in the way of that goal. Paul followedhis
own advice (see 1Cor8:13; 10:33) and encouragedthe believers to follow his
example. The reasonthey could do so? Because he followedChrist’s
example—just as I also imitate Christ. The New Testamentplaces strong
emphasis on imitating leaders. (1 & 2 Corinthians, Life Application Bible
Commentary)
Barton on IMITATION - Why did Paul say, “Imitate me” (1Cor 11:1)? Paul
wasn’t being arrogant—he did not think of himself as sinless. He had already
introduced them to the Messiah;now he wanted them to follow his example.
The Corinthian believers did not know much about the life and ministry of
Christ. Paul could not tell them to imitate Jesus becausethe Gospels had not
yet been written, so they knew little of what Jesus was like. The best way to
point these new Christians to Christ was to point them to a Christian whom
they trusted (see also Galatians 4:12;Philippians 3:17; 1Th 1:6; 2:14; 2
Thessalonians 3:7, 9). Paul had lived in Corinth almost two years and had
built a relationship of trust with many of these new believers. Even today,
God’s Spirit still uses the faithful lives of Christians alongside the Scriptures
to help people understand and follow Christ. Watch how faithful Christians
live and, in the light of Scripture, pattern your conduct after theirs. (Ibid)

ESV Study Bible - God has designedthe Christian life so that much of one’s
progress comes through imitating other Christians, imperfect though they be
(cf. 11:1; Phil. 3:17; 2 Thess. 3:7; 1 Tim. 4:12; Titus 2:7; 1 Pet. 5:3).
(Crossway)
Charles Ellicott notes that "Any shade of offence that such words (Imitate me)
could, by any chance, have given is at once removed by the clause which
follows. ‘even is I also am of Christ;’ the comparative kai serving to bring out
the factthat he himself was an imitator, as he advised them to be,—an
imitator of the highest of all examples.
William Bakeron 1Cor11:1 - Paul offers his final bit of advice to help the
Corinthians guide their own decisions in the future. They cangauge their lives
by how Paul has conducted himself. This they could understand, not only by
having observedhim when he lived among them for 18 months but by hearing
his teaching both while he was there and in this letter. Paul was not so
egotistical, however, to think that even though he was a chosenapostle of
Christ, that somehow his life was not without flaws. Thus, he accents thathis
life is but an imitation of the one in whom Christians invest their hope. Paul is
not so much thinking of modeling Jesus’life and ministry. Rather, drawing on
what he said in 1Cor4:8–13, he sees his ownsuffering and endurance of
physical hardship for the sake of others as parallel to Christ’s torturous and
humiliating death on a Romancross for the sake ofthe world (Garland
2003:503;Thiselton2000:796). This kind of self-sacrifice is preciselywhat
Paul had been presenting as the behavioral paradigm for the Corinthians
since he took up the issue of meat offeredto idols in 1Cor8:1. (Cornerstone
Biblical Commentary, Volume 15: 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians)
Robert Hughes compares 1Cor4:16 and 1Cor11:1 writing that in the former
passage"the callwas to imitation of Paul as the proper view of leadership.

Here the callwas to imitation of Paul’s glorificationof God and furtherance of
the gospelby self-limitation of freedom in order to become a servant of all."
(First Corinthians, Everyman’s Bible Commentary)
Paul Benware on "THE MATTER OF DOUBTFUL THINGS (1Cor8:1–11:1)
- A “doubtful thing” is something (often having to do with an activity or one’s
adornment) about which the Bible has no specific commands and concerning
which sincere Christians differ. At Corinth, one such doubtful thing had to do
with eating meat that previously had been sacrificedto idols. Although Paul
does not take sides on the issue, he does give some principles to apply to such
situations. (See Romans 14 as well.)First, Paul says, believers are to make
decisions on the basis of knowledge.There ought to be a biblical basis for the
choice made. Second, they are to act on the basis of love. They should be
willing to suppress their liberties for the sake ofweakerChristians. Paul
modeled this truth in his own life, giving up his own personalrights in order
to benefit other believers. (Survey of the New TestamentRevised)
Verbrugge notes that Paul "is not content simply to live his life as an example
for the Corinthians to emulate; he actually instructs them to (lit.) become
“imitators” (mimētēs, GK 3629)ofhim. He used this same word and concept
in 4:16 (see comments there). Here, however, Paul goes onto stress that he
himself is an imitator—of Christ and of his lifestyle. That must always be the
overriding goalin our lives—not to use some other human being as our model
but to use the perfect, sinless Christ. It is not too much to say that Paulis here
instructing the Corinthians to imitate him only insofar as he imitates Christ.
(The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 11: Romans–GalatiansRevised
Edition, Zondervan)
A T Robertson- The division of the chapters is unfortunate. This verse clearly
belongs to what precedes. He has just statedhis own principle of action, and
he begs them to follow it, because it is Christ’s. There is no connectionwith

what follows. ‘Become imitators of me.’ Excepting Heb. 6:12, mimetes is in
NT. peculiar to Paul (1Cor4:16; Eph 5:1; 1Th 1:6, 2:14): not found in LXX.
Everywhere it is joined with ginesthai(Lemma = ginomai) which indicates
moral effort; ‘Strive to behave as I do.’ Everywhere the more definite
‘imitator’ (RV.) is to be preferred to ‘follower’(AV.): ‘Be ye followers ofme’
is doubly defective. Just as of Christ - This addition dispels the idea that it is
in any spirit of arrogance that he asks them to imitate him; once more he is
only asking them to do what he does himself, to follow the example of one
whom they recognizedas their teacher. It is as an example of self-sacrifice
that he takes Christ as his model; the whole context shows this. And it is
commonly this aspectof Christ’s life that is regarded, when He is put before
us in N.T. as an example: Ro 15:2, 3; 2 Cor. 8:9; Eph. 5:2; Phil. 2:4, 5. “The
details of His life are not generallyimitable, our calling and circumstances
being so different from His. Indeed, the question, ‘What would Jesus do?’
[WWJD]may be actuallymisleading” (Goudge). The wiser question is, ‘Lord,
what wilt Thou have me to do?’ )A critical and exegeticalcommentaryon the
First epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians, International Critical
Commentary)
Norman Geislercomments on the way 1Cor 11:1 is misinterpreted asking
Does Paul’s statement“Imitate me” justify authoritarianism, as some cultic
groups claim?
MISINTERPRETATION:Paul sometimes calls on his followers to imitate
him (see also 1 Cor. 4:16). Some authoritarian cults, such as the Boston
Church of Christ, use this to justify their authoritarianism. Is this a legitimate
inference from these verses?

CORRECTING THE MISINTERPRETATION:The New Testamentoften
exhorts believers to submit to their leaders (1Cor. 16:16;Heb. 13:17;1 Peter
5:5). It also says wives are to submit to their husbands, children to their
parents (Col. 3:18-20), and citizens to their governments (Titus 3:1). But this
should not be twistedinto ecclesiasticalauthoritarianism.
This submission is qualified. Children are to obey their parents only “in the
Lord” (Eph. 6:1), not in literally anything their elders may command. The
same is true of citizens submitting to their respective governments. There are
many instances of justified disobedience to government, such as when the
Pharaohcommanded the midwives to kill every male baby that was born
(Exod. 1:15–21)or when the three Hebrew children were commanded to bow
before an idol (Dan. 3). We should submit to a proper authority only when it
takes its place under God but not when it takes the place of God.
There is an important difference betweenlegitimate submissionand
illegitimate authoritarianism. Proper submission to a church leaderis
voluntary, not compulsory. It involves a free choice to join or leave that
organizationwithout intimidation or reprisal. It is done out of love and
respect(cf. Heb. 13:7), not out of fear. While the Bible speaks ofvoluntary
submission from the bottom up, it nowhere enjoins compulsory obedience
from the top down. That is, it never says that leaders should command (or
demand) obedience;only that followers should freely give it. Church leaders
themselves are reminded not to “lord it over the flock” but rather to be
“examples” to it (1 Peter5:2–3). They are to lead by their life, not their lips;
by their character, not their commands. (When cultists ask:a popular
handbook on cultic misinterpretations)
PAUL AN EXAMPLE
CHRIST OUR HIGHEST EXAMPLE

As Johann Bengelsays Christ is our highest example because He "did not
please Himself, Ro 15:3, but gave Himself at all costs for our salvation, Eph
5:2." (Gnomon)
Christ's selfless example is preeminently presenting in Philippians - (Phil 2:4)
do not merely look out for your own personalinterests, but also for the
interests of others. (Phil 2:5) Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in
Christ Jesus.
ILLUSTRATION OF IMITATION - When in the MexicanWar, the troops
were wavering, a generalrose in his stirrups, and dashed into the enemy’s
lines, shouting, “Men, follow!” They, seeing his courage and disposition,
dashed on after him, and gained the victory. What men want to rally them for
God is an example to lead them. All your commands to others to advance
amount to nothing so long as you stay behind. To affectthem aright, you need
to start for heavenyourself, looking back only to give the stirring cry of “Men,
follow!” (Talmage quoted by D L Moodyin "Thoughts for the Quiet Hour")
PONDER THE PASTOR'S
EXAMPLE
Given the fact that many Christians observe their pastors as those they might
seek to imitate, it is worth surveying what it is they are imitating. And as you
read the list remember that you are looking in the mirror? Would you want
others to imitate you (even in those times when you know no one is watching
or listening)?

Here is researchthat we distilled from Barna, Focus on the Family, and Fuller
Seminary, all of which backedup our findings, and additional information
from reviewing others'research:
Fifteen hundred pastors leave the ministry eachmonth due to moral failure,
spiritual burnout, or contention in their churches.
Fifty percent of pastors'marriages will end in divorce.
Eighty percentof pastors feelunqualified and discouragedin their role as
pastor.
Fifty percent of pastors are so discouragedthat they would leave the ministry
if they could, but have no other way of making a living.
Eighty percentof seminary and Bible schoolgraduates who enter the ministry
will leave the ministry within the first five years.
Seventy percent of pastors constantlyfight depression.
Almost forty percent polled said they have had an extra-marital affair since
beginning their ministry.
Seventy percent said the only time they spend studying the Word is when they
are preparing their sermons (This is Key).

From our recentresearchwe did to retestour data, 1050 pastors were
surveyed from two pastor's conferencesheld in Orange County and Pasadena,
Ca-416 in 2005, and634 in 2006 (I conducteda similar study for the Fuller
Institute in the late 80s with a much greatersampling).
Of the one thousand fifty (1,050 or100%) pastors we surveyed, every one of
them had a close associateorseminary buddy who had left the ministry
because ofburnout, conflict in their church, or from a moral failure.
Nine hundred forty-eight (948 or 90%) of pastors statedthey are frequently
fatigued, and worn out on a weeklyand even daily basis (did not sayburned
out).
Nine hundred thirty-five, (935 or 89%) of the pastors we surveyed also
consideredleaving the ministry at one time. Five hundred ninety, (590 or
57%) said they would leave if they had a better place to go-including secular
work.
Eighty- one percent (81%) of the pastors saidthere was no regular
discipleship program or effective effort of mentoring their people or teaching
them to deepen their Christian formation at their church (remember these are
the Reformedand Evangelical-notthe mainline pastors!). (This is Key)
Eight hundred eight (808 or 77%) of the pastors we surveyed felt they did not
have a goodmarriage!

Sevenhundred ninety (790 or 75%) of the pastors we surveyed felt they were
unqualified and/or poorly trained by their seminaries to lead and manage the
church or to counselothers. This left them disheartenedin their ability to
pastor.
Sevenhundred fifty-six (756 or 72%) of the pastors we surveyed statedthat
they only studied the Bible when they were preparing for sermons or lessons.
This left only 38% who read the Bible for devotions and personalstudy.
Eight hundred two (802 or 71%) of pastors statedthey were burned out, and
they battle depressionbeyond fatigue on a weeklyand even a daily basis.
Three hundred ninety-nine (399 or 38%) of pastors said they were divorced or
currently in a divorce process.
Three hundred fifteen (315 or 30%) said they had either been in an ongoing
affair or a one-time sexualencounter with a parishioner.
Two hundred seventy (270 or 26%) of pastors saidthey regularly had
personaldevotions and felt they were adequately fed spirituality. (This is
Key).
Two hundred forty-one (241 or 23%) of the pastors we surveyed said they felt
happy and content on a regular basis with who they are in Christ, in their
church, and in their home!

FOLLOW CHRIST AND PAUL'S EXAMPLE

FOLLOW CHRIST AND PAUL'S EXAMPLE

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