1 Corinthians 4:16
I urge you, then, be imitators of me.
There is a lot packed in this short verse. First, there are some assumptions:
- That Paul is worthy to be imitated.
- That there are specific ways the Corinthians can imitate Paul.
- That the Corinthians can see this worthiness in the way Paul lives.
- That they have a reason to imitate him.
Second, the word “then” gives us a clue that there is a back story to this imitation. In this case, Paul is a model of someone who has the mind of Christ and is living this out through obedience to his call. The Corinthians were acting like the world and were not allowing the Holy Spirit to grow them into maturity.
Third, Paul is powerless to change them except through his words (“urge”). This letter is an effort to point them to a better way of life that will set them on the true course to spiritual maturity.
There are many lessons we can learn here. At its simplest, this passage draws me to a question: Am I worthy of urging someone to imitate me? Am I living out the mind of Christ in obedience to the Holy Spirit? Can people see a difference in my life? Is my life one that draws people or repels or repulses them?
For older posts, click here.