1 Corinthians 4:16
Verse
Context
Paul’s Fatherly Warning
15Even 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.16Therefore I urge you to imitate me. 17That 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.
Sermons
George VerwerGeorge Verwer
Miki Hardy
Phil Beach Jr.Phil Beach Jr.Phil Beach Jr.Summary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Wherefore, I beseech you, be ye followers of me - It should rather be translated, Be ye imitators of me; μιμηται, from which we have our word mimic, which, though now used only in a bad or ludicrous sense, simply signifies an imitator of another person, whether in speech, manner, habit, or otherwise. As children should imitate their parents in preference to all others, he calls on them to imitate him, as he claims them for his children. He lived for God and eternity, seeking not his own glory, emolument, or ease: those sowers of sedition among them were actuated by different motives. Here then the apostle compares himself with them: follow and imitate me, as I follow and imitate Christ: do not imitate them who, from their worldly pursuits, show themselves to be actuated with a worldly spirit.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
be ye followers of me--literally, "imitators," namely, in my ways, which be in Christ (Co1 4:17; Co1 11:1), not in my crosses (Co1 4:8-13; Act 26:29; Gal 4:12).
John Gill Bible Commentary
Wherefore, I beseech you,.... Though he might have used the power and authority of a father, yet he chose rather to entreat and beseech them; saying, be ye followers of me; for who should children follow, but their parents? The Vulgate Latin, adds, "as I am of Christ"; so Chrysostom in his time read it; and Beza says he found it so written in one Greek exemplar; and so it is in one of Stephens's; it seems to have crept in from Co1 11:1. However, though it might not be now expressed by the apostle, it is to be supposed; for he never desired any to follow him any more, or further than he followed Christ; particularly he was desirous that these his spiritual children would follow him, and abide by him in the doctrine of a crucified Christ, he had preached among them, and not the false apostles, who had represented his ministry as weak and foolish; and in his life and conversation, especially in his humble carriage and deportment among them, and in his tender love and affection for them; observing their growing pride, haughtiness, and vain opinion of themselves, and those unnatural divisions and animosities which were fomented among them; and also in bearing reproach and persecution cheerfully and patiently, for the Gospel of Christ; a detail of which he had given them in some preceding verses.
1 Corinthians 4:16
Paul’s Fatherly Warning
15Even 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.16Therefore I urge you to imitate me. 17That 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.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Make Your Life Count 5
By George Verwer1.1K23:43Counting The Cost1CO 4:91CO 4:162CO 12:91JN 1:91JN 2:1In this sermon, A.W. Tozer emphasizes the importance of spreading the gospel and evangelizing to the regions beyond. He quotes Paul in 1 Corinthians 4:9, highlighting the sacrifices and challenges faced by the apostles in their mission. Tozer urges people to pray for the Lord to send forth laborers for the harvest. He also mentions the vast number of people in the world who have never heard the gospel and encourages young people to be examples of believers in word, conduct, love, spirit, faith, and purity. Tozer emphasizes the power of prayer and its role in the work of God, stating that prayer has been the backbone of their work and has led to the growth of their ministry and the spread of revival in many nations.
Npg Summer Session 81 Tape 2 - Union Life Women’s Week
By Norman Grubb6691:17:19ConferenceMAT 3:11MRK 11:23JHN 3:30JHN 17:20ROM 12:21CO 4:161CO 15:31In this sermon, the speaker discusses the concept of the complete position in the Bible and the process of the Spirit of God. He emphasizes the importance of pressing towards the mark and not being satisfied with just attaining a certain level. The speaker also highlights the significance of the soul as the agency of the spirit and the need to find rest and sufficiency in God. The sermon references the book of Hebrews, particularly chapter 4, to support these teachings.
Power for the Christian Life
By George Verwer55543:35Christian LifeACT 20:19ACT 20:28ACT 20:311CO 4:121CO 4:16In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of young college men receiving a specific message. He highlights the need for discipline, warfare, self-denial, and unity among believers. The speaker quotes Jonathan Edwards, who believed that every person should give their life to Christ and be willing to give their life for Him. The sermon concludes with the speaker urging the audience to surrender their lives to Christ and reminding them of the abundant blessings and promises that come with following Him.
Accepting the Truth and Living It Out
By Miki Hardy4981:55:32TruthMAT 6:33MAT 16:251CO 4:16GAL 1:111TI 6:7JAS 1:27In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of accepting the message of the cross and living it out in our lives. He shares his own experience of feeling fed up and miserable as a pastor, but finding grace and solutions in God. The speaker encourages repentance, humility, and a commitment to live out the truth of the gospel. He also highlights the importance of leaders in the church accepting and living out the message of the cross for the restoration of families and the unity of the church.
Follow Me Pt1
By Phil Beach Jr.2745:15Following ChristLiving as an ExampleTransformation through ChristMAT 7:13MAT 7:21MAT 11:281CO 4:161CO 11:1PHP 3:17Phil Beach Jr. emphasizes the importance of living a life that reflects Christ, urging believers to consider whether they can confidently invite others to follow their example. He highlights that God's presence and grace are not merely for personal comfort but serve a greater purpose in transforming lives to be worthy examples of Christ. The sermon challenges listeners to examine their lives and ensure their actions align with their faith, as the ultimate goal is to be able to say, 'Follow me as I follow Christ.' Beach encourages believers to seek God's transformative power to overcome areas of shame and to live transparently in their faith.
Follow Me Pt2
By Phil Beach Jr.2748:59Following ChristChristian LibertyRole Models in FaithISA 61:1ROM 8:21CO 3:11CO 4:161CO 8:11CO 9:191CO 10:311CO 11:12CO 3:17JAS 3:13Phil Beach Jr. emphasizes the call for Christians to live lives worthy of being role models, urging believers to reflect on whether their actions and decisions align with the teachings of Christ. He highlights the Apostle Paul's bold invitation to 'follow me' as a challenge for Christians to embody a life of heavenly wisdom, maturity, and love, rather than earthly wisdom and division. The sermon encourages self-examination regarding how one's life can influence others positively, particularly in areas such as wisdom, relationships, and Christian liberty. Ultimately, Beach Jr. calls for a commitment to live transparently and authentically as representatives of Christ, fostering unity and spiritual growth within the community.
Follow Me Pt3
By Phil Beach Jr.181:03:24Following ChristSelflessnessSpiritual MaturityMAT 6:21JHN 15:12ROM 12:11CO 4:161CO 11:1GAL 2:20EPH 4:1PHP 3:171PE 4:101JN 4:7Phil Beach Jr. emphasizes the importance of living a life that models Christ's character, urging Christians to reflect God's nature in their actions. He highlights the distinction between spiritual and carnal living, encouraging believers to pursue spiritual maturity by dying to self and serving others. Beach warns against the hypocrisy that arises when one's actions do not align with their faith, and he calls for a commitment to love and serve within the body of Christ. He stresses that true liberty in Christ is not a license to sin but a call to selflessness and love for others. Ultimately, he reminds the congregation that Christ's life within them is the source of their strength to live as worthy role models.
Should We Follow Godly Men or Only Follow Jesus?
By Zac Poonen0PSA 119:105MAT 11:29LUK 16:13JHN 1:4JHN 5:391CO 4:16EPH 5:25PHP 3:172TI 2:22HEB 13:17Zac Poonen preaches about the transition from the old covenant to the new covenant, where Jesus not only gave us the Word of God but also an example to follow through His life. In the new covenant, we have the written word and the Word made flesh in Jesus to guide us. The importance of following godly examples like Paul, who said 'Follow me as I follow Christ,' is emphasized to help us navigate through life and avoid deception.
Day 178, 1 Timothy 3
By David Servant01CO 4:16David Servant preaches on the qualifications for overseers and deacons in the early church, emphasizing the importance of character over charisma or education. He highlights the role of overseers as disciple-makers who lead by example and the need for both overseers and deacons to be tested for holiness before ministry. Paul's instructions reveal that love of money and maintaining a clear conscience are observable through actions, not just attitudes of the heart, and that holiness is a non-negotiable requirement for serving in ministry.
St. Paul, the Model Christian.
By Daniel Steele01CO 4:161CO 11:12CO 4:2PHP 3:14PHP 4:91TH 2:10Daniel Steele preaches about the importance of living a straight and upright Christian life, contrasting the crooked paths of sin and repentance with the straight path of righteousness exemplified by St. Paul. He emphasizes the need for believers to imitate Paul's example of moral character and self-conquest, following the straight line towards the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Steele highlights Paul's conscious pursuit of holiness and his unwavering commitment to living a blameless life, urging Christians to imitate him as he imitates Christ.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Wherefore, I beseech you, be ye followers of me - It should rather be translated, Be ye imitators of me; μιμηται, from which we have our word mimic, which, though now used only in a bad or ludicrous sense, simply signifies an imitator of another person, whether in speech, manner, habit, or otherwise. As children should imitate their parents in preference to all others, he calls on them to imitate him, as he claims them for his children. He lived for God and eternity, seeking not his own glory, emolument, or ease: those sowers of sedition among them were actuated by different motives. Here then the apostle compares himself with them: follow and imitate me, as I follow and imitate Christ: do not imitate them who, from their worldly pursuits, show themselves to be actuated with a worldly spirit.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
be ye followers of me--literally, "imitators," namely, in my ways, which be in Christ (Co1 4:17; Co1 11:1), not in my crosses (Co1 4:8-13; Act 26:29; Gal 4:12).
John Gill Bible Commentary
Wherefore, I beseech you,.... Though he might have used the power and authority of a father, yet he chose rather to entreat and beseech them; saying, be ye followers of me; for who should children follow, but their parents? The Vulgate Latin, adds, "as I am of Christ"; so Chrysostom in his time read it; and Beza says he found it so written in one Greek exemplar; and so it is in one of Stephens's; it seems to have crept in from Co1 11:1. However, though it might not be now expressed by the apostle, it is to be supposed; for he never desired any to follow him any more, or further than he followed Christ; particularly he was desirous that these his spiritual children would follow him, and abide by him in the doctrine of a crucified Christ, he had preached among them, and not the false apostles, who had represented his ministry as weak and foolish; and in his life and conversation, especially in his humble carriage and deportment among them, and in his tender love and affection for them; observing their growing pride, haughtiness, and vain opinion of themselves, and those unnatural divisions and animosities which were fomented among them; and also in bearing reproach and persecution cheerfully and patiently, for the Gospel of Christ; a detail of which he had given them in some preceding verses.