“Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.”
My Notes
What Does Philippians 3:17 Mean?
"Be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample." Paul invites imitation — not just of himself but of everyone who walks the same way. The instruction has two parts: follow Paul's example, and watch for others who follow the same pattern. The community of imitators becomes identifiable by their shared walk.
The word "followers" (symmimetai — co-imitators) is a compound: together-imitators. The imitation is communal, not individual. You don't just follow Paul alone. You follow Paul together with other people who are also following Paul. The community imitates as a group.
The instruction to "mark" (skopeo — to watch, to observe, to fix your attention on) certain people creates a positive watchfulness: pay attention to the people who walk correctly. Watch how they live. Study their pattern. The marking isn't surveillance — it's apprenticeship through observation.
Reflection Questions
- 1.Who are you 'marking' — watching as a pattern for your own walk?
- 2.Who is watching your life as an example?
- 3.How does communal imitation differ from individual hero-worship?
- 4.What would it look like to join a group of people who are all following the same pattern together?
Devotional
Follow me. And watch the people who follow the same way. Paul invites communal imitation: don't just follow me as an individual — join the group of people following the same pattern. The community of imitators walks together.
The audacity of 'follow me' is tempered by the communal dimension: Paul isn't setting himself up as the sole example. He says: follow me AND mark the others who walk this way. The pattern isn't personality-dependent. Multiple people embody it. You can watch any of them and learn the same lesson.
The 'marking' — the watching, the observing — is how spiritual formation actually works: you learn by watching. Not just by hearing sermons or reading books. By observing how someone lives, handles difficulty, treats people, and makes decisions. The pattern is absorbed through proximity and attention.
Paul's invitation to be imitated is only possible because he imitates Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1). The chain of imitation goes: Christ → Paul → mature believers → you. Nobody is making it up. Everyone is following someone who follows someone who follows Christ. The chain of example is the mechanism of discipleship.
Who are you marking — watching closely as a pattern for your own walk? And who is marking you — watching your life as an example of how to follow Christ? The community of imitators works in both directions: you learn by watching and you teach by being watched.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
For many walk,.... "otherwise", as the Syriac version adds; and which truly explains the words, and gives the sense;…
Brethren, be followers together of me - That is, live as I do. A minister of the gospel, a parent, or a Christian of any…
Brethren, be followers - of me - In the things of Christ let me be your line, and my writings preaching, and conduct,…
He closes the chapter with warnings and exhortations.
I. He warns them against following the examples of seducers and…
Application of the thought of progress: warning against antinomian distortion of the truth of grace: the coming glory of…
Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture