Brothers and sisters, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us.
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.
- 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.
- 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 4:9The things which you learned, received, heard, and saw in me: do these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
- 1 Cor 4:16I beg you therefore, be imitators of me.
- 1 Pet 5:3neither as lording it over those entrusted to you, but making yourselves examples to the flock.
- 1 Tim 4:12Let no man despise your youth; but be an example to those who believe, in word, in your way of life, in love, in spirit, in faith, and in purity.
- 2 Th 3:7For you know how you ought to imitate us. For we didn’t behave ourselves rebelliously among you,
- Heb 13:7Remember your leaders, men who spoke to you the word of God, and considering the results of their conduct, imitate their faith.
- 2 Th 3:9not because we don’t have the right, but to make ourselves an example to you, that you should imitate us.
- 1 Th 1:6You became imitators of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit,
- 1 Cor 10:32Give no occasion for stumbling, either to Jews, or to Greeks, or to the assembly of God;
- Rom 16:17Now I beg you, brothers, look out for those who are causing the divisions and occasions of stumbling, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and turn away from them.
- 2 Th 3:14If any man doesn’t obey our word in this letter, note that man, that you have no company with him, to the end that he may be ashamed.
- 1 Th 2:10–14You are witnesses with God, how holy, righteously, and blamelessly we behaved ourselves toward you who believe.
- Ps 37:37Mark the perfect man, and see the upright, for there is a future for 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.