1 Corinthians 11:1
What does 1 Corinthians 11:1 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 11:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Corinthians 11:1 means
Paul invites the Corinthians to use his life as a pattern only because he himself is following Christ. He is not setting himself up as the final example, but pointing beyond himself to the Lord. This sets the tone for everything that follows: Christian conduct, whether in public worship or private life, must be measured by Christ’s will and ways. To imitate Paul rightly is to pursue Christlike humility, purity, and order. It is a corrective to personality cults and to individualism. It also implies that visible models of faithful living are helpful in the church, provided they are aligned with Christ and keep Him as the focus and goal.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Be ye imitators of me, even as I also am of Christ.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Be ye imitators of me, even as I also am of Christ.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949So take me for your example, even as I take Christ for mine.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Followers of me become ye, as I also <FI>am<Fi> of Christ.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Be ye followers of me, as I also am of Christ.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Be my imitators, even as I also [am] of Christ.
Context
This brief call links the end of prior instruction on liberty with the new section on worship order. It acts as a hinge: as Paul moves into contested issues—head coverings and the Lord’s Supper—he frames the discussion with Christ-centered imitation. The appeal reminds readers that the upcoming instructions are not arbitrary cultural rules but flow from following Christ’s example and lordship. From here, Paul will commend the Corinthians for holding traditions, then ground specific practices in theological realities, creation order, and church-wide custom, and later correct abuses at the Lord’s Table.
v.1This passage
v.2Now I praise you that ye remember me in all things, and hold fast the traditions, even as I delivered them to you.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Thessalonians 1:6
And ye became imitators of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit;
- Philippians 2:4
not looking each of you to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others.
- Romans 15:2
Let each one of us please his neighbor for that which is good, unto edifying.
- Philippians 3:17
Brethren, be ye imitators together of me, and mark them that so walk even as ye have us for an ensample.
- Ephesians 5:1
Be ye therefore imitators of God, as beloved children;
- 1 Corinthians 4:16
I beseech you therefore, be ye imitators of me.
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