Bible Strands
1 Corinthians 4:16
Therefore I urge you to imitate me.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul addresses the Corinthian church as their spiritual father who brought them to faith through the gospel. He issues this appeal immediately before dispatching Timothy to reinforce his conduct among them.
The words — παρακαλῶ (parakalō) means "I exhort," and μιμηταί (mimētai) translates to "imitators." The Greek syntax forms a direct imperative for the audience to actively become his followers.
The thread — This directive recurs in 1 Corinthians 11:1, Philippians 3:17, and 2 Thessalonians 3:9, where Paul consistently points believers to his Christ-modeled conduct.
Why it lands — The text explicitly commands the Corinthians to adopt Paul's apostolic lifestyle as a standard. Readers must align their daily conduct with the specific teaching and example he establishes rather than pursuing independent patterns.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.
Cross-references
- 1 Corinthians 11:1 You are to imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.
- Philippians 3:17 Join one another in following my example, brothers, and carefully observe those who walk according to the pattern we set for you.
- 2 Thessalonians 3:9 Not that we lack this right, but we wanted to offer ourselves as an example for you to imitate.
- 1 Thessalonians 1:6 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord when you welcomed the message with the joy of the Holy Spirit, in spite of your great suffering.
- Philippians 4:9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me, put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
- Hebrews 13:7 Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.
- John 10:4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.
- 1 Peter 5:3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.