Join one another in following my example, brothers, and carefully observe those who walk according to the pattern we set for you.
Parallel translations
- WEB Brothers, be imitators together of me, and note those who walk this way, even as you have us for an example.
- KJV Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
- NKJV Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern.
- NASB Brothers and sisters, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us.
- NLT Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Paul urges the Philippians to imitate him and others who live by the gospel pattern. Godly examples are a means of discipleship.
Overview
Paul can call for imitation only because his own life follows Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1). He also points to other faithful believers as models, recognizing that the Christian walk is learned in community by example, not in isolation. This stands in deliberate contrast to the false walkers he describes next.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 13
- Phil 4:9Whatever 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.
- 1 Cor 4:16Therefore I urge you to imitate me.
- 1 Pet 5:3not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.
- 1 Tim 4:12Let no one despise your youth, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.
- 2 Th 3:7For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not undisciplined among you,
- Heb 13:7Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.
- 2 Th 3:9Not that we lack this right, but we wanted to offer ourselves as an example for you to imitate.
- 1 Th 1:6And you became imitators of us and of the Lord when you welcomed the message with the joy of the Holy Spirit, in spite of your great suffering.
- 1 Cor 10:32Do not become a stumbling block, whether to Jews or Greeks or the church of God—
- Rom 16:17Now I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who create divisions and obstacles that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Turn away from them.
- 2 Th 3:14Take note of anyone who does not obey the instructions we have given in this letter. Do not associate with him, so that he may be ashamed.
- 1 Th 2:10–14You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous, and blameless our conduct was among you who believed.
- Ps 37:37Consider the blameless and observe the upright, for posterity awaits the man of peace.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
The one who, being in the form of God, emptied himself to the point of death on a cross and was exalted to the name above every name — the joy and prize of the believer.
How Philippians 3:17 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.