Philippians 3:17 Meaning: How Can Paul Say 'Imitate Me' Without Arrogance?
Brothers, be imitators together of me, and note those who walk this way, even as you have us for an example.
Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
Brethren, be ye imitators together of me, and mark them that so walk even as ye have us for an ensample.
become followers together of me, brethren, and observe those thus walking, according as ye have us--a pattern;
Be imitators [all] together of me, brethren, and fix your eyes on those walking thus as you have us for a model;
Meaning in one sentence
Paul's call to imitate him points to a humble pattern of walking together toward Christ.
Context
Paul has been describing his own spiritual journey: counting everything as loss for the sake of knowing Christ, pressing forward toward the goal. Now he turns to the Philippians and invites them into the same path. This is not a boast. He is about to warn them about people who live as enemies of the cross, those who claim to follow Christ but walk the other way. In the middle of that danger, Paul offers his own life and the lives of his coworkers as a visible pattern. They know how he lived among them. He is not asking them to copy a perfect person but to step into the same race together.
Key Words
The Greek word Paul uses here is summimētai, which appears only once in the New Testament. It combines 'together' with 'imitator.' He is not holding himself up as a lone hero; he is saying 'join each other in copying what you see in me.' The verb skopeite (mark, observe) means to fix your eyes on something, like an archer aiming at a target. Paul wants them to intentionally notice those who walk faithfully. And he calls his own life a tupos, a pattern, like a stamp that leaves its mark on wax. That is what an example is meant to do: shape us, gently and clearly, into the same shape.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians across traditions agree that Paul is not boasting here but pointing to a pattern of grace. Reformed readers often note that Paul can say this only because he follows Christ, as he clarifies in 1 Corinthians 11:1. Catholic and Orthodox traditions see this as a call to imitate the apostles and saints, whose lives carry the same pattern of laying down everything for Christ. Many evangelical readers emphasize the communal 'together', the church discerns faithful examples together, not alone. All hear the same invitation: look for those who walk the way of the cross and learn from them.
A common misunderstanding
Some read this verse as Paul being arrogant or self-centered. In fact, Paul's call to imitate him is rooted in his deep awareness of his own weakness and his total reliance on Christ. Just verses earlier he says he has not yet arrived at perfection. He offers his life not as a finished product but as a direction. Also, he includes his coworkers and says 'us', he is not standing alone.
Living This Out
This week, take note of someone in your church or life whose walk is shaped by the gospel. Watch how they respond to pressure, how they speak about others, how they handle small disappointments. Let their pattern teach you. And ask yourself: if someone watched my ordinary days, what would they learn about following Jesus? You do not have to be perfect to be a good example. You just have to be walking the same direction.
Main takeaway: We are called together to imitate those who faithfully follow Christ, and to live as an example worth following.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
Paul told his friends to follow his example because he followed Jesus. You can follow someone who loves Jesus too. That helps you learn to love Him more.
For ages 9, 12
Paul wasn't perfect, but he was running toward Jesus with all his heart. He asked the Philippians to watch how he lived and copy him, but not alone, together as a church. In the same way, you can learn from grown-ups who follow Jesus closely. And you can also be a good example to others, even when you're still learning.
Questions People Ask
Is Paul being arrogant when he says 'be imitators of me'?
No. Paul is confident in the message he lives, not in himself. He often says 'imitate me as I imitate Christ' (1 Corinthians 11:1). He also admits he has not yet reached perfection. This is a humble invitation to walk the same road together.
What does 'imitators together' mean?
The Greek word summimētai appears only here. It means 'co-imitators' or 'fellow imitators.' Paul is not saying 'copy me individually' but 'join one another in copying what you see in me.' It is a communal call.
Who are the 'us' that Paul mentions as an example?
Paul says 'even as you have us for an example.' The 'us' likely includes Timothy and Epaphroditus (mentioned earlier in Philippians) and perhaps other faithful coworkers. Paul points to a group of people who walk the same way.
How does this verse relate to the warning about enemies of the cross in the next verse?
Paul sets up a contrast: there are people who walk as enemies of the cross (verse 18) and people who walk the pattern he and others set. The call to imitate is also a call to discernment, know who to follow and who to avoid.
How can I know who to imitate in my church today?
Look for people whose lives match their profession. They may not be perfect, but they press toward Christ, show humility, and are marked by love. Start by noticing who speaks of Jesus with gratitude and who serves quietly.
For pastors & researchers
Greek interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study