CINXE.COM

1 Corinthians 4:16 Therefore I urge you to imitate me.

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>1 Corinthians 4:16 Therefore I urge you to imitate me.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_corinthians/4-16.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/11/46_1Co_04_16.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Corinthians 4:16 - Paul Warns his Children" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Therefore I urge you to imitate me." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script> <script src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/biblehub.js' type='text/javascript'></script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/1_corinthians/4-16.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/1_corinthians/4-16.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/1_corinthians/">1 Corinthians</a> > <a href="/1_corinthians/4.htm">Chapter 4</a> > Verse 16</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/1_corinthians/4-15.htm" title="1 Corinthians 4:15">&#9668;</a> 1 Corinthians 4:16 <a href="/1_corinthians/4-17.htm" title="1 Corinthians 4:17">&#9658;</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible">&nbsp;Audio&nbsp;</a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References">&nbsp;Crossref&nbsp;</a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary">&nbsp;Comment&nbsp;</a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon">&nbsp;Greek&nbsp;</a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/1_corinthians/4.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">&nbsp; (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/1_corinthians/4.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Therefore I urge you to imitate me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/1_corinthians/4.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />So I urge you to imitate me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/1_corinthians/4.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />I urge you, then, be imitators of me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/1_corinthians/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Therefore I urge you to imitate me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/1_corinthians/4.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Therefore I exhort you, become imitators of me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/1_corinthians/4.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/1_corinthians/4.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Therefore I urge you, imitate me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/1_corinthians/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Therefore I urge you, be imitators of me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/1_corinthians/4.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Therefore I exhort you, be imitators of me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/1_corinthians/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />I exhort you therefore, be imitators of me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/1_corinthians/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Therefore I exhort you, be imitators of me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/1_corinthians/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />So I urge you, be imitators of me [just as a child imitates his father].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/1_corinthians/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Therefore I urge you to imitate me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/1_corinthians/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Therefore I urge you to imitate me. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/1_corinthians/4.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />I beseech you therefore, be ye imitators of me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/1_corinthians/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />and I want you to be like me. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/1_corinthians/4.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />I beseech you therefore, be ye imitators of me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/1_corinthians/4.htm">GOD'S WORD&reg; Translation</a></span><br />So I encourage you to imitate me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/1_corinthians/4.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />I beg you, then, to follow my example. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/1_corinthians/4.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />So I urge you to imitate me. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/1_corinthians/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Therefore I urge you to imitate me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/1_corinthians/4.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />I encourage you, then, be imitators of me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/1_corinthians/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />I appeal to you therefore, be imitators of me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/1_corinthians/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/1_corinthians/4.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />I entreat you therefore to become like me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/1_corinthians/4.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />I beg you therefore, be imitators of me. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/1_corinthians/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />I call on you, therefore, become followers of me;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/1_corinthians/4.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Therefore I exhort you, become imitators of me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/1_corinthians/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> I call upon you, therefore, become ye followers of me;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/1_corinthians/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />I beseech you therefore, be ye imitators of me.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/1_corinthians/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me, as I also am of Christ. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/1_corinthians/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Therefore, I beg you, be imitators of me, just as I am of Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/1_corinthians/4.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Therefore, I urge you, be imitators of me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/1_corinthians/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />I appeal to you, then, be imitators of me.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/1_corinthians/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />I beseech you therefore, to follow me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/1_corinthians/4.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />Therefore, I beg of you that you would imitate me.<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/1_corinthians/4.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />I exhort you, therefore, be imitators of me.<CM><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/1_corinthians/4.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />Therefore I exhort you, be ye imitators of me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/1_corinthians/4.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />Now I conjure you, be followers of me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/1_corinthians/4.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />and therefore I intreat you, to copy after me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/1_corinthians/4.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />I entreat you therefore to become like me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/1_corinthians/4.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />I beseech you, therefore, become imitators of me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/1_corinthians/4.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />I beseech you therefore, be ye imitators of me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/1_corinthians/4-16.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/g-wZWoK_LZU?start=777" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/1_corinthians/4.htm">Paul Warns his Children</a></span><br>&#8230;<span class="reftext">15</span>Even if you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. <span class="reftext">16</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/3767.htm" title="3767: oun (Conj) -- Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly.">Therefore</a> <a href="/greek/3870.htm" title="3870: parakal&#333; (V-PIA-1S) -- From para and kaleo; to call near, i.e. Invite, invoke.">I urge</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: hymas (PPro-A2P) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">you</a> <a href="/greek/1096.htm" title="1096: ginesthe (V-PMM/P-2P) -- A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude."></a> <a href="/greek/3402.htm" title="3402: mim&#275;tai (N-NMP) -- An imitator, follower. From mimeomai; an imitator.">to imitate</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: mou (PPro-G1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">me.</a> </span> <span class="reftext">17</span>That is why I have sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which is exactly what I teach everywhere in every church.&#8230;<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> &middot; <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/11-1.htm">1 Corinthians 11:1</a></span><br />You are to imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philippians/3-17.htm">Philippians 3:17</a></span><br />Join one another in following my example, brothers, and carefully observe those who walk according to the pattern we set for you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_thessalonians/1-6.htm">1 Thessalonians 1:6</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_thessalonians/2-14.htm">1 Thessalonians 2:14</a></span><br />For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Judea that are in Christ Jesus. You suffered from your own countrymen the very things they suffered from the Jews,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_thessalonians/3-7.htm">2 Thessalonians 3:7-9</a></span><br />For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not undisciplined among you, / nor did we eat anyone&#8217;s food without paying for it. Instead, in labor and toil, we worked night and day so that we would not be a burden to any of you. / Not that we lack this right, but we wanted to offer ourselves as an example for you to imitate.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/13-7.htm">Hebrews 13:7</a></span><br />Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/5-1.htm">Ephesians 5:1</a></span><br />Be imitators of God, therefore, as beloved children,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/5-3.htm">1 Peter 5:3</a></span><br />not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/4-12.htm">1 Timothy 4:12</a></span><br />Let no one despise your youth, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_timothy/3-10.htm">2 Timothy 3:10-11</a></span><br />You, however, have observed my teaching, my conduct, my purpose, my faith, my patience, my love, my perseverance, / my persecutions, and the sufferings that came upon me in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. What persecutions I endured! Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/2-6.htm">1 John 2:6</a></span><br />Whoever claims to abide in Him must walk as Jesus walked.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/16-24.htm">Matthew 16:24</a></span><br />Then Jesus told His disciples, &#8220;If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/6-40.htm">Luke 6:40</a></span><br />A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/13-15.htm">John 13:15</a></span><br />I have set you an example so that you should do as I have done for you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/15-18.htm">John 15:18-20</a></span><br />If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me first. / If you were of the world, it would love you as its own. Instead, the world hates you, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. / Remember the word that I spoke to you: &#8216;No servant is greater than his master.&#8217; If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you as well; if they kept My word, they will keep yours as well.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Why I beseech you, be you followers of me.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_corinthians/11-1.htm">1 Corinthians 11:1</a></b></br> Be ye followers of me, even as I also <i>am</i> of Christ.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/john/10-4.htm">John 10:4,5</a></b></br> And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice&#8230; </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/philippians/3-17.htm">Philippians 3:17</a></b></br> Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_corinthians/1-10.htm">Beg</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/1-10.htm">Beseech</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/4-8.htm">Desire</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/4-13.htm">Entreat</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/4-6.htm">Example</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/1-10.htm">Exhort</a> <a href="/acts/22-4.htm">Followers</a> <a href="/matthew/23-3.htm">Imitate</a> <a href="/1_peter/3-13.htm">Imitators</a> <a href="/romans/16-17.htm">Urge</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/3-21.htm">Wherefore</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_corinthians/16-15.htm">Beg</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/16-15.htm">Beseech</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/4-21.htm">Desire</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/16-12.htm">Entreat</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/10-6.htm">Example</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/2-8.htm">Exhort</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/10-2.htm">Followers</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/3-12.htm">Imitate</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/11-1.htm">Imitators</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/16-15.htm">Urge</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/5-8.htm">Wherefore</a><div class="vheading2">1 Corinthians 4</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_corinthians/4-1.htm">In what account the apostles ought to be regarded.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_corinthians/4-7.htm">We have nothing which we have not received.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_corinthians/4-9.htm">The apostles spectacles to the world, angels, and men;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_corinthians/4-13.htm">the filth and offscouring of the world;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_corinthians/4-15.htm">yet our fathers in Christ;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_corinthians/4-16.htm">whom we ought to follow.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <script type="text/javascript"><!-- google_ad_client = "ca-pub-3753401421161123"; /* 200 x 200 Parallel Bible */ google_ad_slot = "7676643937"; google_ad_width = 200; google_ad_height = 200; //--> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/1_corinthians/4.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div><b>Therefore</b><br />The word "therefore" serves as a critical connector, linking the preceding arguments and teachings of Paul to the exhortation that follows. In Greek, this is "&#948;&#953;&#972;" (dio), which implies a conclusion drawn from previous statements. Paul has been discussing the nature of apostleship, humility, and the role of spiritual leaders. This word signals that what follows is a logical and necessary response to the truths he has just laid out. It reminds us that Christian living is not isolated from doctrine; our actions are a direct response to the truths we embrace.<p><b>I urge you</b><br />The phrase "I urge you" comes from the Greek "&#960;&#945;&#961;&#945;&#954;&#945;&#955;&#8182;" (parakal&#333;), which conveys a sense of earnest appeal or exhortation. This is not a mere suggestion but a heartfelt plea from Paul. It reflects his pastoral heart and deep concern for the spiritual well-being of the Corinthian believers. Paul is not commanding with authoritarian force but is appealing with love and urgency, emphasizing the importance of the message. This reflects the relational nature of Christian leadership, where guidance is given out of love and concern rather than mere obligation.<p><b>to imitate me</b><br />The call "to imitate me" is derived from the Greek "&#956;&#953;&#956;&#951;&#964;&#945;&#943; &#956;&#959;&#965; &#947;&#943;&#957;&#949;&#963;&#952;&#949;" (mim&#275;tai mou ginesthe). The word "imitate" (&#956;&#953;&#956;&#951;&#964;&#945;&#943;) is where we get the English word "mimic." In the historical context, discipleship often involved imitation of a teacher's life and conduct. Paul is not suggesting that he is perfect, but rather that his life is a tangible example of living out the teachings of Christ. This is a bold statement, yet it is rooted in humility, as Paul elsewhere acknowledges his own weaknesses and dependence on Christ (<a href="/1_corinthians/11.htm">1 Corinthians 11:1</a>). The call to imitation is not about creating clones but about embodying the principles of the Gospel in a way that others can see and follow. It challenges believers to live lives worthy of emulation, reflecting Christ in all they do.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/1_corinthians/4.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(16) <span class= "bld">Wherefore.</span>--Because I stand in this relation I call you to preserve, as it were, in a moral sense, that family likeness which would naturally accompany such a relationship (<a href="/galatians/4-12.htm" title="Brothers, I beseech you, be as I am; for I am as you are: you have not injured me at all.">Galatians 4:12</a>; <a href="/ephesians/5-1.htm" title="Be you therefore followers of God, as dear children;">Ephesians 5:1</a>; <a href="/philippians/3-17.htm" title="Brothers, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as you have us for an ensample.">Philippians 3:17</a>).<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_corinthians/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 16.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Be ye followers;</span> rather, <span class="accented">imitators. He</span> makes the same appeal in <a href="/1_corinthians/11-1.htm">1 Corinthians 11:1</a>; <a href="/philippians/3-17.htm">Philippians 3:17</a>. Of course, he only uses his human example as a guide to them in the special virtues of humility, self denial, and faithfulness (<a href="/1_peter/5-3.htm">1 Peter 5:3</a>; <a href="/hebrews/13-7.htm">Hebrews 13:7</a>). In the highest sense we can only be "imitators of God" (<a href="/ephesians/5-1.htm">Ephesians 5:1</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/1_corinthians/4-16.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">Therefore</span><br /><span class="grk">&#959;&#8022;&#957;</span> <span class="translit">(oun)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3767.htm">Strong's 3767: </a> </span><span class="str2">Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I urge</span><br /><span class="grk">&#960;&#945;&#961;&#945;&#954;&#945;&#955;&#8182;</span> <span class="translit">(parakal&#333;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3870.htm">Strong's 3870: </a> </span><span class="str2">From para and kaleo; to call near, i.e. Invite, invoke.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you</span><br /><span class="grk">&#8017;&#956;&#8118;&#962;</span> <span class="translit">(hymas)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 2nd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> </span><span class="str2">You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to imitate</span><br /><span class="grk">&#956;&#953;&#956;&#951;&#964;&#945;&#943;</span> <span class="translit">(mim&#275;tai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3402.htm">Strong's 3402: </a> </span><span class="str2">An imitator, follower. From mimeomai; an imitator.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">me.</span><br /><span class="grk">&#956;&#959;&#965;</span> <span class="translit">(mou)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> </span><span class="str2">I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_corinthians/4-16.htm">1 Corinthians 4:16 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/1_corinthians/4-16.htm">1 Corinthians 4:16 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/1_corinthians/4-16.htm">1 Corinthians 4:16 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/1_corinthians/4-16.htm">1 Corinthians 4:16 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/1_corinthians/4-16.htm">1 Corinthians 4:16 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/1_corinthians/4-16.htm">1 Corinthians 4:16 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_corinthians/4-16.htm">1 Corinthians 4:16 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_corinthians/4-16.htm">1 Corinthians 4:16 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/1_corinthians/4-16.htm">1 Corinthians 4:16 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/1_corinthians/4-16.htm">1 Corinthians 4:16 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/1_corinthians/4-16.htm">NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 4:16 I beg you therefore be imitators (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_corinthians/4-15.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Corinthians 4:15"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Corinthians 4:15" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_corinthians/4-17.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Corinthians 4:17"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Corinthians 4:17" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>

Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10