Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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1 Corinthians 11:1
What does 1 Corinthians 11:1 mean?
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1 Corinthians 11:1
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Paul doesn't just point to Christ as the ultimate model; he steps into the frame as a living example, daring us to follow him as he follows Jesus. This verse challenges us to live lives so surrendered to Christ that others can see Jesus through us, becoming models of faith themselves.
Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is addressing issues of order and conduct within the Corinthian church, particularly concerning worship services. He's been correcting their misunderstandings and improper practices, urging them toward unity and respectful behavior. This call to imitate him, as he imitates Christ, is his direct appeal to them to adopt the right attitude and actions he models, which are rooted in Christ's own example.
Paul doesn't just tell people what to do, he points to himself as an example. What gives him the right to say, 'Follow me!'?
An Apostle's Authority
Paul’s call to imitate him isn't arrogance; it’s rooted in his profound connection to Christ. He had spent years walking with Jesus, learning directly from Him, and transforming his life to reflect Christ’s teachings. This wasn't a suggestion; it was a shepherd’s plea to his spiritual children, urging them towards a path he himself was faithfully treading.
The Ultimate Goal
But Paul immediately clarifies the true object of imitation: "as I am of Christ." His own life was a testament to his devotion to Jesus. He wasn't asking them to follow a perfect man, but to follow a man who was passionately, imperfectly, but purposefully following Christ. His imitation of Christ was the reason they should imitate him.
Why does the Bible emphasize imitation so much? What does this tell us about how faith is meant to grow?
Learning by Example
Faith isn’t just about intellectual assent; it's deeply practical and relational. Paul understood that seeing faith lived out is a powerful teacher. Imitation allows spiritual truths to become tangible. It’s like learning a craft – you watch the master, you try their techniques, and you learn through doing.
A Chain of Devotion
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This verse sets up a beautiful, continuous chain: Christ is the ultimate model. Apostles like Paul imitate Christ. Leaders and mature believers imitate apostles and Christ. And then, all believers are encouraged to imitate those who are faithfully following Christ. It’s a dynamic process where God’s truth is passed down through authentic lives.
Understand the original words
mimētai · Greek Noun
To mimic or follow the pattern of another; in a Christian context, it refers to reproducing the lifestyle, character, and conduct of Christ or those who reflect Him.
Christos · Greek Noun
The anointed One, the Messiah; the Son of God who serves as the ultimate model of obedience, sacrifice, and divinity in human form.
Paul's instruction to imitate him is grounded in his own imitation of Christ, a practice he established during his foundational ministry in Corinth when the church was first formed.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus' Crucifixion and Resurrection
The central event of Christian faith, marking the culmination of Jesus' earthly ministry and the foundation for the apostles' mission.
c. AD 33-47
Early Church Growth and Apostolic Ministry
The apostles, including Paul, began spreading the gospel throughout the Roman Empire, establishing new Christian communities.
c. AD 49-50
Council of Jerusalem
A crucial meeting addressing whether Gentile converts needed to follow Jewish law, affirming that salvation was by grace through faith.
c. AD 50-52— this verse
Paul's Ministry in Corinth
Paul spent about 18 months in Corinth, establishing the church there and facing significant opposition. This is the period when the church he is now writing to was founded.
c. AD 55
Writing of 1 Corinthians
Paul writes this letter from Ephesus in response to reports he received about divisions, immorality, and doctrinal issues within the Corinthian church.
This passage highlights how the Thessalonians joyfully imitated Paul and the Lord, echoing the theme of believers following spiritual leaders who themselves follow Christ.
Philippians 3:17Paul directly calls believers to imitate him, showing that his example is a pattern for them to follow, just as they should follow Christ.
1 Corinthians 4:16Paul urges the Corinthian believers to become imitators of him, reinforcing his role as a spiritual father whose life is a model for them.
1 John 2:6This verse states that whoever claims to live in God ought to walk as Jesus walked, emphasizing that true imitation of Christ is the standard for all believers' conduct.
Paul doesn't just point to Christ as the ultimate model; he steps into the frame as a living example, daring us to follow him as he follows Jesus. This verse challenges us to live lives so surrendered to Christ that others can see Jesus through us, becoming models of faith themselves.
Paul is addressing issues of order and conduct within the Corinthian church, particularly concerning worship services. He's been correcting their misunderstandings and improper practices, urging them toward unity and respectful behavior. This call to imitate him, as he imitates Christ, is his direct appeal to them to adopt the right attitude and actions he models, which are rooted in Christ's own example.
Paul is addressing issues of order and conduct within the Corinthian church, particularly concerning worship services. He's been correcting their misunderstandings and improper practices, urging them toward unity and respectful behavior. This call to imitate him, as he imitates Christ, is his direct appeal to them to adopt the right attitude and actions he models, which are rooted in Christ's own example.
"Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ." — Paul doesn't just point to Christ as the ultimate model; he steps into the frame as a living example, daring us to follow him as he follows Jesus. This verse challenges us to live lives so surrende…
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Last reviewed October 2026