The Meaning of 1 Corinthians 4:16 Explained

1 Corinthians 4:16

KJV: Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.

YLT: I call upon you, therefore, become ye followers of me;

Darby: I entreat you therefore, be my imitators.

ASV: I beseech you therefore, be ye imitators of me.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Wherefore  I beseech  you,  be ye  followers  of me. 

What does 1 Corinthians 4:16 Mean?

Verse Meaning

The Corinthians were to learn from Paul as a son learns by observing the example of his father. Contemporary Greek philosophers also provided moral examples for their followers to imitate, sometimes themselves. [1] Paul was doing that here (cf. 1 Corinthians 11:1).
". . . Paul"s actual ethical instruction as it appears in his Epistles rarely uses the language of Jesus as it is recorded in the Gospels; but on every page it reflects his example and his teaching ..." [2]
For example, Paul never used the word "disciple" in his epistles. Instead he appealed to his readers as his children or his brethren. The metaphor of father and children to refer to a teacher and his disciples was also common in Judaism.

Context Summary

1 Corinthians 4:14-21 - Teaching Converts Christ's Ways
The relationship between the Apostle and his converts was very tender. They were his children. They might have instructors and tutors, but they could have but one father; and as father he might have to use the rod. Love can be stern and punitive. Spare the rod and spoil the child. It is not pure but selfish love that forbears to speak and act strongly when eternal interests are at stake. This is an aspect of God's love which is likely to be overlooked. If we escape chastisement, we are bastards and not sons. "What son is he whom the father chasteneth not?" Hebrews 12:5-11.
The beloved Timothy was sent to bring the recreant church back to its old love and faith. He was well fitted to represent the Apostle till Paul could tear himself from his thronging duties at Ephesus. Notice that God's kingdom comes in power, not in word, 1 Corinthians 4:21. Is not this the reason why it comes so slowly? We treat it as though it would come through our much speaking, through eloquent and honeyed speech. But it is not so. It comes in the power of the Holy Spirit, and in that supremacy of the Divine Spirit over all other spirit forces. God send us more of this great dynamic! [source]

Chapter Summary: 1 Corinthians 4

1  In what account the apostles ought to be regarded
7  We have nothing which we have not received
9  The apostles spectacles to the world, angels, and men;
13  the filth and offscouring of the world;
15  yet our fathers in Christ;
16  whom we ought to follow

Greek Commentary for 1 Corinthians 4:16

Be ye imitators of me [μιμηται μου γινεστε]
“Keep on becoming (present middle imperative) imitators of me (objective genitive).” Μιμητης — Mimētēs is an old word from μιμεομαι — mimeomai to copy, to mimic Paul stands for his rights as their spiritual father against the pretensions of the Judaizers who have turned them against him by the use of the names of Apollos and Cephas. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 1 Corinthians 4:16

1 Thessalonians 1:6 Followers [μιμηταὶ]
More literally and better, imitators. Only once outside of Paul's writings, Hebrews 6:12. Comp. 1 Thessalonians 3:9; 2 Thessalonians 3:7; 1 Corinthians 4:16; 1 Corinthians 11:1; Galatians 4:12; Philemon 3:17; Philemon 4:9. [source]
1 Thessalonians 1:6 Imitators of us and of the Lord [μιμηται ημων και του κυριου]
Μιμητης — Mimētēs Old word, more than “followers,” in the N.T. only six times (1 Thessalonians 1:6; 1 Thessalonians 2:14; 1 Corinthians 4:16; 1 Corinthians 11:1; Ephesians 5:1; Hebrews 6:12). Again Paul uses γινομαι — ginomai to become, not ειμι — eimi to be. It is a daring thing to expect people to “imitate” the preacher, but Paul adds “and of the Lord,” for he only expected or desired “imitation” as he himself imitated the Lord Jesus, as he expressly says in 1 Corinthians 11:1. The peril of it all is that people so easily and so readily imitate the preacher when he does not imitate the Lord. The fact of the “election” of the Thessalonians was shown by the character of the message given them and by this sincere acceptance of it (Lightfoot). [source]
2 Thessalonians 3:7 Follow [μιμεῖσθαι]
Better, imitate. Comp. 1 Corinthians 4:16; 1 Corinthians 11:1; Philemon 3:17; 1 Thessalonians 1:6. [source]
3 John 1:11 Follow [μιμοῦ]
More correctly, as Rev., imitate. Elsewhere only 2 Thessalonians 3:7, 2 Thessalonians 3:9; Hebrews 13:7. The kindred word μιμητής imitatoruniformly rendered follower in A.V., occurs 1 Corinthians 4:16; 1 Corinthians 11:1; Ephesians 5:1. Hence our word mimic; also pantomime. Μῖμος means both an actor and a kind of prose drama, intended as a familiar representation of life and character, and without any distinct plot. [source]

What do the individual words in 1 Corinthians 4:16 mean?

I exhort therefore you imitators of me become
παρακαλῶ οὖν ὑμᾶς μιμηταί μου γίνεσθε

παρακαλῶ  I  exhort 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 1st Person Singular
Root: παρακαλέω  
Sense: to call to one’s side, call for, summon.
μιμηταί  imitators 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: μιμητής  
Sense: an imitator.
μου  of  me 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive 1st Person Singular
Root: ἐγώ  
Sense: I, me, my.
γίνεσθε  become 
Parse: Verb, Present Imperative Middle or Passive, 2nd Person Plural
Root: γίνομαι  
Sense: to become, i.