1 Corinthians 11:1

My Notes

What Does 1 Corinthians 11:1 Mean?

"Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ." Paul issues a BOLD invitation: imitate ME — because I imitate CHRIST. The imitation has TWO LEVELS: the Corinthians imitate Paul, and Paul imitates Christ. The chain of imitation runs from Christ through Paul to the church. The boldness of the invitation is qualified by the condition: Paul is worth imitating ONLY BECAUSE he imitates Christ. The moment Paul stops imitating Christ, the invitation expires.

The phrase "be ye followers of me" (mimētai mou ginesthe — become imitators of me) uses the word MIMĒTAI — imitators, mimics, people who copy the pattern. The invitation isn't to ADMIRE Paul but to IMITATE him — to copy his behavior, his priorities, his responses, his lifestyle. The imitation is BEHAVIORAL, not just attitudinal. The following is in the DOING, not just the thinking.

The "even as I also am of Christ" (kathōs kagō Christou — just as I also [am an imitator] of Christ) is the CONDITION that makes the invitation valid: Paul imitates Christ. The Corinthians imitate Paul. The chain has integrity because each link imitates the one above. Remove the Christ-imitation from Paul and the whole chain collapses. The invitation to imitate Paul is CONDITIONAL on Paul imitating Christ.

Reflection Questions

• 1.Could you say 'imitate me as I imitate Christ' — and would it hold up?
• 2.What does the invitation to imitate requiring TOTAL TRANSPARENCY teach about leadership?
• 3.How does the Christ-condition make the boldness humble rather than arrogant?
• 4.What visible pattern of Christ does your life offer for others to imitate?

Devotional

Imitate ME — as I imitate CHRIST. Two levels of imitation. One chain of authority. The Corinthians copy Paul. Paul copies Christ. The invitation is bold AND conditional: follow me BECAUSE I follow Christ. The moment I stop following Christ, stop following me.

The 'be ye followers of me' is the BOLDEST invitation a leader can give: imitate my LIFE. Not just my WORDS. My life. Copy how I handle conflict. Copy how I serve. Copy how I sacrifice. The invitation puts the leader's ENTIRE LIFE on display as a pattern worth copying. The vulnerability is total. The transparency is required. You can't invite imitation while hiding your real life.

The 'even as I also am of Christ' is the CONDITION that makes the boldness HUMBLE: the invitation isn't 'imitate me because I'm impressive.' It's 'imitate me because I imitate CHRIST.' The Christ-following is the source of the Paul-following. The imitation-chain has a TOP — and the top is Christ, not Paul. Paul is a LINK, not the source. The invitation is: follow me to Christ. I'm the visible guide. He's the invisible destination.

The CHAIN-of-imitation model is the New Testament's DISCIPLESHIP METHOD: Christ → Paul → the churches. The new believers can't directly observe Christ (He's ascended). But they CAN observe Paul. Paul's life becomes the VISIBLE PATTERN of the invisible Christ. The imitation of the leader is the pathway to the imitation of the Lord. The human model serves the divine one.

Could you say 'imitate me as I imitate Christ' — and would the invitation hold up under scrutiny?

Commentary

Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.

Cross References

Related passages throughout Scripture