Bible Strands
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.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul writes to the Philippians, placing this call to imitation directly between his own standard (v.16) and a warning about "enemies of the cross" (v.18).
The words — Συμμιμηταὶ (Summimētai) is a compound of συμ- (together) + μιμηταί (imitators), literally "co-imitators." It frames imitation as a communal act, not a private one.
The thread — Paul repeats the same charge in Philippians 4:9 ("Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me, put it into practice") and in 1 Corinthians 4:16 ("I urge you to imitate me").
Why it lands — The verse asks the reader to deliberately copy a pattern of life and to watch others who embody it, not as passive admiration but as active, ongoing practice.
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
Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
Cross-references
- 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.
- 1 Corinthians 4:16 Therefore I urge you to imitate me.
- 1 Peter 5:3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.
- 1 Timothy 4:12 Let no one despise your youth, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.
- 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.
- 2 Thessalonians 3:7 For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not undisciplined among 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.
- 1 Corinthians 10:32 Do not become a stumbling block, whether to Jews or Greeks or the church of God—
- Romans 16:17 Now I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who create divisions and obstacles that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Turn away from them.