1 Corinthians 11:1 Explained

"Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ." — 1 Corinthians 11:1 (KJV)

A sentence that sounds arrogant until you notice the clause that limits it.

Read it in context: The Book of 1 Corinthians. Also gathered under verses about leadership.

1 Corinthians 11:1 in context

What does 1 Corinthians 11:1 mean?

'Followers' translates mimetai — imitators. The instruction is to copy behaviour, which is only safe because of the second clause: as I also am of Christ. That makes the imitation conditional and inspectable, and it is offered by a man who has just spent three chapters giving up his rights for other people's sake, so the reader knows exactly what is being copied.

What is the context of 1 Corinthians 11:1?

It closes the argument that began in chapter 8 about meat sacrificed to idols, where Paul has spent three chapters describing rights he declines to use. The chapter division here is unfortunate: this belongs with what precedes it, not with what follows.

How do I pray 1 Corinthians 11:1?

The uncomfortable question is whether anyone could follow you and end up closer to Christ. Ask it about one specific area rather than in general. And note the pattern being imitated here is not achievement but the surrender of a legitimate right for somebody else's benefit.

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