Chapter 3, Verse 17 “Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.”
In I Corinthians 11:1 Paul wrote, “Be imitators of me as I am of Christ.” That is his message to the Philippians as well. The New Testament had not been assembled as we have it today so he needed to repeat the challenge. Is Paul bragging here? No, he’s not bragging about anything he has done other than to follow Jesus. The Philippians are Paul’s ‘children in the faith’ and he has tried to set the best example possible for them. This he is sure of; if they follow him like he follows Christ, they will be a strong faithful church.
Keep your eye on other imitators of Paul is just a way of saying, do what you see other mature Christians do. Paul seems to have the destructive work of the Judaizing teachers in mind as he encourages the church to listen to him rather than them. Paul has been hounded by these false brethren as he evangelized the area surrounding Philippi and he knows how dangerous their doctrine is. Watch me, Paul says and not them.
Task for Today: Even today we have no lack of false teachers. Following Paul’s example in choosing our way of walking the Christian life is still a good choice. Comparing the voice of the Spirit with the voice of men is still the way to live. Who are you imitating? A modern- day preacher or religious leader, or one of the Apostles chosen by Jesus? When they contradict Paul or John or Peter or any inspired writer, it’s time to move on. Imitate those men who were inspired by the Holy Spirit. Check every teacher with the Word.
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