Comprehensive Imitation

“Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, orseen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you”(Philippians 4:9).

This is comprehensive: everything you have learned,received, heard, or seen.

Paul said something similar to the Corinthians:

“I am not writing this to shame you, but to warn you, as mydear children. Even though you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you donot have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through thegospel. Therefore I urge you to imitate me. For this reason I am sending to youTimothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you ofmy way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere inevery church…Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave toeveryone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to winthe Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though Imyself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those nothaving the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free fromGod's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. Tothe weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men sothat by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of thegospel, that I may share in its blessings…Do not cause anyone to stumble,whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God—even as I try to please everybody inevery way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that theymay be saved. Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ” (1Corinthians 4:14-17, 9:19-23, 10:32-11:1).

In each case, Paul requires imitation of himself as heimitates Christ.

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