Philippians 3 · Verse 17

Philippians 3:17

Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
Philippians 3:17, King James Version

Philippians 3:17 in other translations

BSBJoin one another in following my example, brothers, and carefully observe those who walk according to the pattern we set for you.
WEBBrothers, be imitators together of me, and note those who walk this way, even as you have us for an example.
ASVBrethren, be ye imitators together of me, and mark them that so walk even as ye have us for an ensample.
YLTbecome followers together of me, brethren, and observe those thus walking, according as ye have us--a pattern;
DARBYBe imitators all together of me, brethren, and fix your eyes on those walking thus as you have us for a model;
BBEBrothers, take me as your example, and take note of those who are walking after the example we have given.
WebsterBrethren, be followers together of me, and mark them who walk so as ye have us for an example.

What does Philippians 3:17 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
17. followers--Greek, "imitators together." of me--as I am an imitator of Christ (1Co 11:1): Imitate me no farther than as I imitate Christ. Or as Bengel "My fellow imitators of God" or "Christ"; "imitators of Christ together with me" (see on Php 2:22; Ep 5:1). mark--for imitation. which walk so as ye have us for an ensample--In English Version of the former clause, the translation of this clause is, "those who are walking so as ye have an example in us." But in Bengel's translation, "inasmuch as," or "since," instead of "as."

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

Barnes' Notes
Verse 17. Brethren, be followers together of me. That is, live as I do. A minister of the gospel, a parent, or a Christian of any age or condition, ought so to live that he can refer to his own example, and exhort others to imitate the course of life which he had led. Paul could do this without ostentation or impropriety. They knew that he lived so as to be a proper example for others; and he knew that they would feel that his life had been such that there would be no impropriety in his referring to it in this manner. But, alas! how few are there who can safely imitate Paul in this!

And mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. There were those in the church who endeavoured to live as he had done, renouncing all confidence ill the flesh, and aiming to win the prize. There were others, it would seem, who were actuated by different views. See Php 3:18. There are usually two kinds of professing Christians in every church--those who imitate the Saviour, and those who are worldly and vain. The exhortation here is, to "mark"--that is, to observe with a view to imitate--hose who lived as the apostles did. We should set before our minds the best examples, and endeavour to imitate the most holy men. A worldly and fashionable professor of religion is a very bad example to follow; and, especially, young Christians should set before their minds for imitation, and associate with, the purest and most spiritual members of the church. Our religion takes its form and complexion much from those with whom we associate; and he will usually be the most holy man who associates with the most holy companions.

(f) "followers together" 1Thes 1:6 (+) "together" "joint imitators"

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 17 Brethren, be followers - of me - In the things of Christ let me be your line, and my writings preaching, and conduct, your rule. And mark them - Σκοπειτε. Still alluding to the line in the stadium, keep your eye steadily fixed on those who walk - live, as ye have us - myself, Timothy, and Epaphroditus, for an ensample.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Philippians 3:12-21

This simple dependence and earnestness of soul, were not mentioned as if the apostle had gained the prize, or were already made perfect in the Saviour's likeness. He forgot the things which were behind, so as not to be content with past labours or present measures of grace. He reached forth, stretched himself forward towards his point; expressions showing great concern to become more and more like unto Christ. He…

Read the full comment on Philippians 3:12-21 →

Philippians 3:17 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.

ΣυμμιμηταίSummimētaiImitators togetherG4831
μουmouof meG3165
γίνεσθε,ginesthedo be,G1096
ἀδελφοί,adelphoibrothers,G80
καὶkaiandG2532
σκοπεῖτεskopeitedo observeG4648
τοὺςtousthoseG3588
οὕτωhoutōthusG3779
περιπατοῦνταςperipatountaswalkingG4043
καθὼςkathōseven asG2531
ἔχετεecheteyou haveG2192
τύπονtupon[for] a patternG5179
ἡμᾶς.hēmasus.G3165

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

Cross references for Philippians 3:17

  • 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.

  • 1 Corinthians 4:16

    Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.

  • 1 Peter 5:3

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

  • 1 Timothy 4:12

    Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

  • 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.

  • 2 Thessalonians 3:7

    For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;

  • 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:

  • 1 Corinthians 10:32-11:1

    Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved. Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

  • Romans 16:17

    Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

  • 2 Thessalonians 3:14

    And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.

  • Psalms 37:37

    Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
be.
4:9; 1Co 4:16; 10:32,33; 11:1; 1Th 1:6; 2:10-14; 2Th 3:7,9; 1Ti 4:12
Heb 13:7; 1Pe 5:3
and mark.
Ps 37:37; Ro 16:17; 2Th 3:14

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

Context

  • Philippians 3:16

    Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.

  • Philippians 3:17

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

  • Philippians 3:18

    (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:

Read all of Philippians 3

Philippians 3:17 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Hermanos, sed imitadores de mí, y mirad los que así anduvieren como nos tenéis por ejemplo.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Soyez tous ensemble mes imitateurs, frères, et portez vos regards sur ceux qui marchent ainsi suivant le modèle que vous avez en nous.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Seid zusammen meine Nachahmer, Brüder, und sehet hin auf die, welche also wandeln, wie ihr uns zum Vorbilde habt.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Imitatores mei estote, fratres, et observate eos qui ita ambulant, sicut habetis formam nostram.