BRETHREN
JOIN
IN FOLLOWING MY EXAMPLE: Summimetai mou ginesthe (2PPMM) adelphoi:
(Phil
4:9 - note;
1Cor 4:16;
10:32,33;
11:1;
1Thes 1:6 - note;
1 Thes 2:10-14 - note;
2Thes 3:7,9;
1Ti 4:12;
Heb 13:7 - note;
1Pet 5:3 - note)
In this section Paul is addressing
the problem in the Church at Philippi that there were men whose
conduct was an open scandal to the gospel, and who by their lives,
showed themselves to be the enemies of the Cross of Christ. Paul says
that a good "antidote" to these evil examples is a good example.
Paul wants his life not to be admired, but imitated. All men
will imitate someone. Paul wants us to be imitators of those who are
wholeheartedly devoted to Christ.
Barclay renders this
verse...
Brothers, unite in imitating me,
and keep your gaze on those who live, as you have seen us as an
example. (Barclay,
W: The Daily Study Bible Series, Rev. ed. Philadelphia: The
Westminster Press)
As Henry Morris observes...
Paul was not arrogant or conceited;
he even called himself "less than the least of all saints" (Ephesians
3:8). However, the churches were being led astray by false apostles
and false teachers "whose God is their belly...who mind earthly
things" (Philippians 3:19). Therefore, he often had to defend himself
and his teachings (2 Corinthians 11:17,18; 12:11; etc.). The church
could not actually see Jesus, but they could see Paul, and compare his
life and ministry to those of the false teachers. Therefore, he could
say, in all humility: "Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of
Christ" (1 Corinthians 11:1; 4:16, 2 Thessalonians 3:7). (Morris,
Henry: Defenders Study Bible. World Publishing)
In view of what was at stake (the
integrity of the gospel message) it is not surprising that Paul
repeatedly emphasized imitation writing...
I exhort you therefore,
be imitators of me. (1Cor 4:16)
Be imitators of me, just as I
also am of Christ. (1Cor
11:1)
You also
became imitators of us
and of the Lord, having received the word in much tribulation with the
joy of the Holy Spirit, (see note
1Thess 1:6)
(To his beloved disciple Timothy)
Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech,
conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of
those who believe. (1Ti 4:12)
The writer of Hebrews echoes the
importance of imitating godly examples writing...
Remember those who led you, who
spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their
conduct, imitate their faith. (see note
Heb 13:7)
Peter likewise exhorted
the spiritual leaders of the church...
Don't lord it over (exercise
"lordship" or dominion over) the people assigned to your care, but
lead them by your good example. (see note
1 Peter 5:3,
NLT)
Steven Cole writes...
Paul is not being egotistical. It
is a false humility that denies the truth by saying, “Well, I’m really
not worth imitating.” Paul knew that he lived with
integrity before God. He also just admitted that he was still in the
process of coming to know Christ and the power of His resurrection
(3:12-14), so he is not implying that he is sinlessly perfect. But his
life was an example of how believers should live. He also adds that
there were others, probably referring to Timothy, Epaphroditus, and
men like them who walked with God. Such men show us in practical ways
how we should walk with God, how we should deal with relationships,
etc.
The most helpful source for spiritual growth for me, apart from
studying the Bible, has been reading the biographies of men of God.
The summer of 1970 was a turning point in my walk with God because of
reading
George Muller of Bristol, by A. T.
Pierson. That
book showed me in human form a man who lived by faith, prayer, and
obedience to the Word. Since then I’ve been helped immensely to read
the lives of John Calvin, Martin Luther, Jonathan Edwards, Adoniram
Judson, C. H. Spurgeon, Hudson Taylor, Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Francis
Schaeffer, and many others. I have an article in print on this as well
as a bibliography (Reading
Christian Biographies A Selected Bibliography)
if you’re interested. (Philippians
3:17-4:1 Right & Wrong Way to Live)
Join (1096)
(ginomai) means cause to be or become. A command (imperative
mood) to let this be their lifestyle or habitual practice (present
tense). (see
present imperative)
Following (my) example (4831)
(summimetes; from
sun [click for
sun detail] = together with +
mimetes
[click
for more detail] = an imitator from mímos = an
imitator) is an imitator of or follower with others, a joint follower.
Remember the preposition
sun speaks of an intimate, almost
inseparable relationship.
More literally
this verse reads "continuously be co-imitators of me" or "keep on becoming
fellow imitators of me." English = "mimics." Just as Paul mimics
Christ, so they should mimic or imitate him. It is interesting that
the art of "mime" emphasizing the actions (as the "mime" does not use
words...so let your actions speak louder than your words & as children
of the Living God bring glory to God the Father).
Paul is not
saying here to be imitators of Christ in common with me, but be
together, jointly, imitators of me. Paul makes his own example a norm or standard of the new life
in Christ because at this time in the history of Christianity there is
as yet no tradition of the Christian life.
W. Bauder
has the following note regarding "imitators" as
it was used in secular Greek...
Very early on (in Democritus of the
pre-Socratics) the words were used to express ethical demands made on
men. One should take as one’s model the boldness of a hero, or one
should imitate the good example of one’s teacher or parents... The
Rabbis were the first to speak of imitation of God in the sense of
developing the image of God in men. In the Pseudepigrapha in addition
to the exhortation to imitate men of outstanding character (Test. Ben.
3:1; 4:1) one can also find the thought of the imitation of God (i.e.
keeping his commands, Test. Ash. 4:3) and of particular
characteristics of God (Aristeas 188, 210, 280 f.). (Brown,
Colin, Editor. New International Dictionary of NT Theology. 1986.
Zondervan)
Teachers based
their whole educational procedure on imitation, as students imitated
the behavior of teachers. Slowly the idea developed that people should
imitate the gods, and Plato emphasized this.
The basic
meaning of mimetes is seen in a mime. An English woman went to
France to study under the famous mime artist, Marcel Marceau. All day
he taught his students how to make the movements of mime, and each
evening they went to see him perform. Their performances were marked
indelibly by the style of the master. This is an excellent picture of
a Christian who imitates the Lord by exposure to Him.
And so we see that
Paul exhorts the Philippians to observe his life attentively and to
become imitators of him, and to do the same also with reference to
those other Christians in whose lives they find an example of Paul’s
own manner of life.
In the last
chapter of this letter Paul encourages the saints writing that...
The things you
have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these
things; and the God of peace shall be with you. (Philippians
4:9)
William
Barclay rightly observes that...
Most preachers begin with the
serious handicap that they have to say, not, “Do as I do,” but, “Do
as I say.” Paul could say not only, “Listen to my words,” but also,
“Follow my example.” (Barclay,
W: The Daily Study Bible Series, Rev. ed. Philadelphia: The
Westminster Press)
Lehman Strauss explains
that...
Paul considered himself the
recipient of God’s mercy that he might be a “pattern”; thus his whole
life, subsequent to his conversion, was dedicated to presenting to
others an outline sketch of what a Christian should be. God saved Paul
in order that he might show by the example of his conversion that what
Jesus Christ did for him He can and will do for others. Was not this
the special object our Lord had in view in extending His mercy to you
and me? I believe He has saved us to be a pattern to all future
believers. Are we serving as examples of those who have been saved by
His grace? May it be so! (Lehman Strauss, Philippians. Loizeaux
Brothers. 1976)
AND
OBSERVE
THOSE WHO WALK ACCORDING TO THE PATTERN YOU HAVE IN US:
kai skopeite (2PPAM)
tous houto peripatountas
(PAPMPA) kathos echete (2PPAI) tupon hemas:
(Ps 37:37;
Ro 16:17 - note;
2Th 3:14)
Wuest translates it...
observe attentively those who
conduct themselves in a manner which reflects the example which you
have in us
Observe those who walk -
Paul is saying keep your eye on those who conduct themselves as I do
and make them your goal or model for conduct. We all need godly role
models.
“Keep your eyes on me as the goal.” Mark and follow me, not mark and avoid
as in
Romans 16:17 (note).
David gave a similar
exhortation...
Mark the blameless man, and behold
the upright; for the man of peace will have a posterity. (Ps 37:37)
Spurgeon commenting on Ps
37:37 writes that...
After having watched with surprise
the downfall of the wicked, give your attention to the sincerely
godly, and observe the contrast. Good men are men of mark, and worth
our study; marvels of grace, and worth beholding. (Treasury
of David)
Observe (4648)
(skopeo from
skopos = distant mark looked at, goal
or end one has in view; English "scope" as in microscope or
telescope) means to "spy out", to look at, to observe, to contemplate,
to mark ( to fix or trace out the bounds or limits of). Skopeo
implies mental consideration and so conveys the picture of attentively fixing one's
attention upon something (in this case someone) with desire for
(emulation) or interest in. The idea can be to "aim at". Contemplate, look into, examine,
inspect, continue to regard closely, to notice carefully, pay
attention to, keep one's attention on.
Vincent
(quoting Schmidt) adds that skopeo means...
To direct one’s attention upon a
thing, either in order to obtain it, or because one has a peculiar
interest in it, or a duty to fulfil toward it. Also to have an eye to
with a view of forming a right judgment.
There are 6 NT
uses of skopeo (mostly by Paul)...
Luke 11:35 "Then
watch
(present
imperative) out
that the light in you may not be darkness.
Romans 16:17 (note)
Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye (present
tense = keep
keeping your eye on them - this describes a continual need) on those
who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which
you learned, and turn away from them.
2 Corinthians 4:18 while we look (present
tense =
habitually) not at the things which are seen, but at the things which
are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the
things which are not seen are eternal.
Galatians 6:1 Brethren, even if a man is caught in any
trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of
gentleness; each one looking (present
tense =
continually - almost conveys an imperative sense in this context) to
yourself, (Why do you need to continually "mark" yourself?) lest you
too be tempted (passive voice = describes temptation coming from
outside source).
Vincent comments: Notice the
passing to the singular number — “considering thyself.” (Ed:
= "yourself") The exhortation is addressed to the conscience of
each. Before you deal severely with the erring brother, consider your
own weakness and susceptibility to temptation, and restore him in view
of that fact. (cp 1 Cor 10:12)
Philippians 2:4 (note)
do not merely look (present
tense =
continually - almost conveys an imperative sense in this context) out
for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.
Philippians 3:17 (note)
Brethren, join
in following my example, and
observe
those who walk according to the pattern you have in us.
Paul is
commanding (imperative
mood) the Philippian
saints to continually (present tense)
attentively keep fixing their attention upon, (with desire for or
interest in) those who exemplify godly conduct. Make it your habit to
"scope out" godly examples.
Imagine
running the 110 meter low hurdles with your eyes on the track or only
on the hurdles or constantly on the competition in the lanes on either
side. That would be ridiculous. But no more ridiculous than running
the race of life (see notes
Hebrews 12:1;
12:2) aimlessly as if in a spiritual fog! Only
one life. Will soon pass. Only what's done in Christ
will last. Run with focus and endurance so at the end of your race you
have no regrets... a life well lived for His Name and His glory.
Walk (4043)
(peripateo
from peri = around, about + pateo = tread, trample) (Click
word study on
peripateo)
means literally to walk around, to tread all around, to go here and
there in walking. The 39 uses in the Gospels always refer to
literal, physical walking. Seven of the 8 uses in Acts are also in the
literal sense (except Acts 21:21). (See
Spurgeon's comments on what it means to walk)
In the present context peripateo is used as
a figure of speech meaning to live, to conduct or to pass one’s life.
In fact Paul uses
peripateo only in the metaphorical sense (32 times in his
Epistles) describing the ordering of one's behavior, passing one’s
life (with a connotation of spending some time in a place), etc.
Pattern (5179)
(tupos
from túpto = strike, smite
with repeated strokes) (Click
for in depth study of
tupos) literally refers to a visible mark or
impression made by a stroke or blow from an instrument or object. What
is left after the stroke or blow is called a print, a figure or an
impression. For example, the most famous reference to a literal mark
(tupos) is when Thomas doubted Jesus' resurrection from the dead
declaring "Unless I shall see in His hands the imprint
(tupos) of the nails" (John 20:25). (See also
ISBE Article)
Stated another way tupos properly means a "model" or "pattern"
or "mold" into which clay or wax was pressed (or molds into which
molten metal for castings was poured), that it might take the figure
or exact shape of the mold. Our English word "type" is similar
and originally referred to an impression made by a die as that which
is struck.
What Paul is
doing here is exhorting the Philippians to observe his life
attentively and to become imitators of him, and to do the same also
with reference to those other Christians in whose lives they find an
example of Paul’s own manner of life.
Application:
Is our life enough of an
example that we would want others to pattern themselves after us? What
must be altered to answer affirmatively?
Phillip's
paraphrase makes an application out of this verse...
Let me be your example here, my brothers: let my example be the
standard by which you can tell who are the genuine Christians among
those about you. (Phillips:
Touchstone)
