“Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ. Now I praise you because you remember me in everything and hold firmly to the traditions, just as I delivered them to you.”

One of the most misunderstood principles in the NT is Paul’s penchant for presenting himself as an example of the Christian life. We have stated it before in these essays, but it bears addressing again—precisely because of Paul’s repetition:

For if you were to have countless tutors in Christ, yet you would not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. Therefore I exhort you, be imitators of me. (1 Cor. 4:15–16)

He offers himself also to the Philippians as an example (Phil. 3:17, 4:19) and teaches Timothy (1 Tim. 4:12) and Titus (Titus 2:7) to be examples. Even Peter instructs the elders to be examples to others (1 Peter 5:3). This is the essence of discipleship, not arrogance (as some have charged). This is akin to teaching a child how to tie his or her shoes by saying, “Here, watch me.” In fact, we should all be examples to others of how to walk the Christian life!

It is actually true that we are all examples, whether we choose to be or not. The question is whether we are good examples of the Christian life or not. Paul writes, “Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ” (emphasis added). He is both intentional and mindful in what he does. This is an extension of the previous verse, “I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit but the profitof the many, so that they may be saved” (1 Cor. 10:33). Paul lived his life as an example to the Corinthians. Of course his primary motivation for self-sacrifice was to reach the unsaved. But as the effective teacher and discipler that he was, he capitalizes on it for its exemplary value.

Rather than present himself arrogantly as a prima donna, he is conveying that this is actually normative Christianity, for it follows the example of Christ. We each should encourage others by our lives to move farther down the road toward Christlikeness. We are followers who help other followers to sacrificially follow Christ. That is the example of Paul; that is the example of Christ.

Specifically, Paul praises the Corinthians for remembering and holding to his teachings of “the traditions,” that is, the apostolic teachings “handed down” (the literal rendering of “traditions”). Despite all the spiritual failings of the Corinthians, they had at least done something right! However, as we shall soon see, the practice of these teachings was laced with selfishness and superficiality.

Lord, help me be a great example to others of sacrificial Christlikeness.