6You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit, 7so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.
Imitation, it is said, is the highest form of flattery. Thus some might think it arrogant for Paul to affirm his readers’ imitation of him (and to place that before mentioning their imitation of the Lord). Yet he does this numerous times in his writings (see 1 Cor. 4:16, 11:1, Phil. 3:17, 4:9). This same Paul also writes unreservedly to these same believers to “become imitators of the churches of God” (1 Thess. 2:14). Further, he unreservedly tells the Ephesian believers to “be imitators of God, as beloved children. . .” (Eph 5:1, see also Eph. 4:32). Jesus Himself used the principle of imitation as core to discipling others, when He said,
“If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you.” (John 13:14–15)
Following Jesus’ example includes 1) serving one another as He served the disciples in the Upper Room by washing their feet and 2) teaching others—by demonstrating Christ-like behavior. A teacher of Christian life and truth teaches not only with words, but also by example. Paul takes this seriously and doesn’t beat around the bush with false humility. He is very conscious that his life was just as important as his words in their teaching efficacy.
Think of teaching a child how to tie her shoe. You can talk about loops, and pushing one part through another, but sooner or later you say, “Here, let me
show you. Watch me do it.” There is nothing arrogant about that; you are confidently transmitting knowledge.
Paul commends his readers that they too are in the spotlight for all to see what Christlikeness looks like when lived out. Keep in mind, the Thessalonian believers were doing quite well in living out the principles of faith, love, and hope. As young believers often do, they imitated their teacher who brought them to Christ. Yet the apostle Paul recognized that was just a stepping stone to the great imitation, that of Christ. That is why he was very careful himself to model his life after the example of His Lord, as he taught the Corinthians: “Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ” (1 Cor. 11:1).
Lord, I commit to living my life today as an example to others of how Christlikeness looks in regular, everyday life.
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