Imitating Paul: 1 Cor 4:16

Abstract

In 1 Cor 4:8–13 Paul sharply contrasts his life of hardship as an apostle with that of the Corinthians who glory in spiritual riches and power. In this context he admonishes the Corinthians to imitate him (μιμηταί μoυ γίνεσθε) and even sends Timothy to remind them of “my ways in Christ” (ἀναμήσει τὰϛ ‘δoύϛ μoυ τὰϛ ἐν Ξριττῷ 'I7eta;σoῦ, 1 Cor 4:16–17). But Paul offers almost no guidance that would enable us to ascertain specifically what aspects of his life are to be imitated. The lack of specificity on Paul's part has vexed many interpreters of 1 Cor 4:16. In the hope of clarifying what Paul means by the central term, “imitator,” scholars have studied its use elsewhere in the Pauline corpus (1 Cor 11:1; 1 Thess 1:6–7; 2:14; Phil 3:17; cf. also the deutero-Pauline passages, 2 Thess 3:7–9; Eph 4:32–5:1).