Comprehensive Imitation

“Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or
seen 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 my
dear children. Even though you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do
not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the
gospel. Therefore I urge you to imitate me. For this reason I am sending to you
Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of
my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in
every church…Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to
everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win
the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I
myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not
having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from
God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To
the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so
that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the
gospel, 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 in
every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they
may be saved. Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ” (1
Corinthians 4:14-17, 9:19-23, 10:32-11:1).

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

This post coordinates with today’s reading in the Same
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