1 Corinthians 4 · Verse 16

1 Corinthians 4:16

Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.
1 Corinthians 4:16, King James Version

1 Corinthians 4:16 in other translations

BSBTherefore I urge you to imitate me.
WEBI beg you therefore, be imitators of me.
ASVI beseech you therefore, be ye imitators of me.
YLTI call upon you, therefore, become ye followers of me;
DARBYI entreat you therefore, be my imitators.
BBESo my desire is that you take me as your example.
WebsterWherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.

What does 1 Corinthians 4:16 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
16. be ye followers of me--literally, "imitators," namely, in my ways, which be in Christ (1Co 4:17; 1Co 11:1), not in my crosses (1Co 4:8-13; Ac 26:29; Ga 4:12).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 16. Wherefore. Since I am your spiritual father.

Be ye followers of me. Imitate me; copy my example; listen to my admonitions. Probably Paul had particularly in his eye their tendency, to form parties; and here admonishes them that he had no disposition to form sects, and entreats them in this to imitate his example. A minister should always so live as that he can, without pride or ostentation, point to his own example; and entreat his people to imitate him. He should have such a confidence in his own integrity; he should lead such a blameless life; and he should be assured that his people have so much evidence of his integrity, that he can point them to his own example, and entreat them to live like himself. And to do this, he should live a life of piety, and should furnish such evidence of a pure conversation, that his people may have reason to regard him as a holy man.

(*) "followers" "imitators"

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 16 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.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 1 Corinthians 4:14-21

In reproving for sin, we should distinguish between sinners and their sins. Reproofs that kindly and affectionately warn, are likely to reform. Though the apostle spoke with authority as a parent, he would rather beseech them in love. And as ministers are to set an example, others must follow them, as far as they follow Christ in faith and practice. Christians may mistake and differ in their views, but Christ and…

Read the full comment on 1 Corinthians 4:14-21 →

1 Corinthians 4:16 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ΠαρακαλῶParakalōI exhortG3870
οὖνounthereforeG3767
ὑμᾶς,humasyou,G4771
μιμηταίmimētaiimitatorsG3402
μουmouof mineG3165
γίνεσθε.ginesthedo become.G1096

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 1 Corinthians 4:16

  • 1 Corinthians 11:1

    Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

  • Philippians 3:17

    Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.

  • 2 Thessalonians 3:9

    Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.

  • 1 Thessalonians 1:6

    And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:

  • Hebrews 13:7

    Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.

  • Philippians 4:9

    Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

  • John 10:4-5

    And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

  • 1 Peter 5:3

    Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
11:1; Joh 10:4,5; Php 3:17; 1Th 1:6; 2Th 3:9; Heb 13:7; 1Pe 5:3

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • 1 Corinthians 4:15

    For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.

  • 1 Corinthians 4:16

    Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.

  • 1 Corinthians 4:17

    For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.

Read all of 1 Corinthians 4

1 Corinthians 4:16 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Por tanto, os ruego que me imitéis.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Je vous supplie donc d’être mes imitateurs.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Ich bitte euch nun, seid meine Nachahmer!
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Rogo ergo vos, imitatores mei estote, sicut et ego Christi.