Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
Parallel translations
- WEB Brothers, be imitators together of me, and note those who walk this way, even as you have us for an example.
- BSB Join one another in following my example, brothers, and carefully observe those who walk according to the pattern we set for you.
- 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 4:9Those 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 Cor 4:16Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.
- 1 Pet 5:3Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
- 1 Tim 4:12Let 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.
- 2 Th 3:7For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;
- Heb 13:7Remember 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 Th 3:9Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.
- 1 Th 1:6And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:
- 1 Cor 10:32Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:
- Rom 16:17Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
- 2 Th 3:14And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.
- 1 Th 2:10–14Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:
- Ps 37:37Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
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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.