Balancing Imitation of Christ's Actions with Gospel Focus
The imitation of Christ's actions is a central theme in Christian discipleship, frequently balanced with a focus on the Gospel message itself. The Apostle Paul explicitly calls believers to "imitate me, just as I imitate Christ" [2]. This instruction suggests a chain of imitation, where Paul serves as an example because he himself follows Christ's pattern [3, 8].
The call to imitate Christ encompasses various aspects of Christian life. It involves self-denial, as Christ exemplified in his life, particularly in his submission to the Father's will and his willingness to suffer [1]. This self-denial is seen as a test of devotion and is necessary for following Christ, engaging in spiritual warfare, and ultimately achieving spiritual triumph [1]. Specific areas for self-denial include denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, controlling appetite, abstaining from fleshly lusts, and mortifying sinful desires [1].
While Paul encourages imitation of himself as he imitates Christ, he also points believers directly to God as the ultimate object of imitation. To the Ephesians, he writes, "Be ye imitators of God" (Ephesians 5:1), without interposing himself [3, 4]. This direct call to imitate God emphasizes conforming to God's revealed character, particularly in areas like love and forgiveness [4].
The balance between imitating Christ's actions and focusing on the Gospel is crucial. The Gospel of Christ is understood as the doctrine of grace, life, and salvation through Christ [9]. It is the message that Christ is the author of grace and goodness [9]. Therefore, while believers are called to emulate Christ's conduct, the foundation for this imitation and the source of spiritual life is the Gospel itself.
Commentators emphasize that Christ's example serves as the primary standard for believers. Adam Clarke, for instance, states that "The only rule for a Christian is the word of Christ; the only pattern for his imitation is the example of Christ" [5]. He cautions against comparing oneself with others, as they are not the standard [5]. Similarly, Jamieson, Fausset & Brown interpret Paul's instruction to "be ye followers of me" as meaning "imitators" in his ways, which are "in Christ," rather than in his sufferings [8].
The concept of imitation also extends to the unity of believers. Christ prayed "that they all may be one, as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they may be one in us" [7]. This unity, rooted in the indwelling Spirit of the Father and the Son, is a higher form of imitation, reflecting the divine unity and serving as a witness to the world that the Father sent Christ [7].
The early church understood the importance of Christ's example. John Chrysostom notes that Paul's instruction to imitate him was given to "weak persons" and signifies that imitation of Christ is possible even through an intermediary example [3]. However, the ultimate goal is to directly copy the "perfect impression of the seal," which is Christ himself [3]. The focus of preaching, as exemplified by Paul, was "Christ crucified," not worldly wisdom, but heavenly wisdom among the perfect [6]. This highlights that the core message of the Gospel—Christ's atoning work—is paramount, even as his life provides a pattern for discipleship.
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Self-Denial — Christ set an example of -- Mt 4:8-10; 8:20; Joh 6:38; Ro 15:3; Php 2:6-8. A test of devotedness to Christ -- Mt 10:37,38; Lu 9:23,24. Necessary In following Christ. -- Lu 14:27-33. In the warfare of saints. -- 2Ti 2:4. To the triumph of saints. -- 1Co 9:25-27. Ministers especially called to exercise -- 2Co 6:4,5. Should be exercised in Denying ungodliness and worldly lusts. -- Ro 6:12; Tit 2:12. Controlling the appetite. -- Pr 23:2. Abstaining from fleshly lusts. -- 1Pe 2:11. No longer living to lusts of men. -- 1Pe 4:2. Mortifying sinful lusts. -- Mr ”
- I Corinthians “I Corinthians 11:1 (BSB) — You are to imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on 1 & 2 Corinthians: a great one.’ For the difference between me and you is not so great as between Christ and me: and yet I have imitated Him.” On the other hand, writing to the Ephesians, he interposes no mention of himself, but leads them all straight to the one point, “Be ye imitators of God,” is his word. ( Ephes. v. 1 .) But in this place, since his discourse was addressed to weak persons, he puts himself in by the way. And besides, too, he signifies that it is possible even thus to imitate Christ. For he who copies the perfect impression of the seal, copies th”
- Ephesians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Ephesians 5:1: Here we have the exhortation to mutual love, or to Christian charity. The apostle had been insisting on this in the former chapter, and particularly in the last verses of it, to which the particle therefore refers, and connects what he had said there with what is contained in these verses, thus: "Because God, for Christ's sake, has forgiven you, therefore be you followers of God, or imitators of him;" for so the word signifies. Pious persons should imitate the God whom they worship, as far as he has revealed himself as imitable by them. They must conform themsel”
- Galatians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Galatians 6:4: Prove his own work - Let him examine himself and his conduct by the words and example of Christ; and if he find that they bear this touchstone, then he shall have rejoicing in himself alone, feeling that he resembles his Lord and Master, and not in another - not derive his consolation from comparing himself with another who may be weaker, or less instructed than himself. The only rule for a Christian is the word of Christ; the only pattern for his imitation is the example of Christ. He should not compare himself with others; they are not his standard. Christ hath ”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 2 (introduction): PAUL'S SUBJECT OF PREACHING, CHRIST CRUCIFIED, NOT IN WORLDLY, BUT IN HEAVENLY, WISDOM AMONG THE PERFECT. (1Co. 2:1-16) And I--"So I" [CONYBEARE] as one of the "foolish, weak, and despised" instruments employed by God (Co1 1:27-28); "glorying in the Lord," not in man's wisdom (Co1 1:31). Compare Co1 1:23, "We." when I came-- (Act 18:1, &c.). Paul might, had he pleased, have used an ornate style, having studied secular learning at Tarsus of Cilicia, which STRABO preferred as a school of learning to Athens or Alexandria; here, doubt”
- John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on John 17:21: that they all may be one, as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they may be one in us--The indwelling Spirit of the Father and the Son is the one perfect bond of union, knitting up into a living unity, first all believers amongst themselves; next, this unity into one still higher, with the Father and the Son. (Observe, that Christ never mixes Himself up with His disciples as He associates Himself with the Father, but says I in THEM and THEY in US). that the world may believe that thou hast sent me--sentest me. So the grand impression upon th”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 4:16: be ye followers of me--literally, "imitators," namely, in my ways, which be in Christ (Co1 4:17; Co1 11:1), not in my crosses (Co1 4:8-13; Act 26:29; Gal 4:12).”
- 2 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Corinthians 9:13: Whiles by the experiment of this ministration,.... That is, the poor saints at Jerusalem having a specimen, a proof, an experience of the liberality of the Gentile churches ministered to them by the apostles, first, they glorify God; by giving thanks unto him, acknowledging him to be the author of all the grace and goodness which they, and others, were partakers of; particularly for your professed subjection to the Gospel of Christ. The Gospel of Christ is the doctrine of grace, life, and salvation by Christ, of which he is the author, as God, the subject m”