SEV Biblia, Chapter 4:16
Por tanto, os ruego que me imitis.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 4:16
Verse 16. Wherefore, I beseech you, be ye followers of me.] It should rather be translated, Be ye imitators of me; mimhtai, from which we have our word mimic, which, though now used only in a bad or ludicrous sense, simply signifies an imitator of another person, whether in speech, manner, habit, or otherwise. As children should imitate their parents in preference to all others, he calls on them to imitate him, as he claims them for his children. He lived for God and eternity, seeking not his own glory, emolument, or ease: those sowers of sedition among them were actuated by different motives. Here then the apostle compares himself with them: follow and imitate me, as I follow and imitate Christ: do not imitate them who, from their worldly pursuits, show themselves to be actuated with a worldly spirit.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 16. Wherefore, I beseech you , etc.] Though he might have used the power and authority of a father, yet he chose rather to entreat and beseech them; saying, be ye followers of me ; for who should children follow, but their parents? The Vulgate Latin, adds, as I am of Christ; so Chrysostom in his time read it; and Beza says he found it so written in one Greek exemplar; and so it is in one of Stephenss; it seems to have crept in from ( 1 Corinthians 11:1). However, though it might not be now expressed by the apostle, it is to be supposed; for he never desired any to follow him any more, or further than he followed Christ; particularly he was desirous that these his spiritual children would follow him, and abide by him in the doctrine of a crucified Christ, he had preached among them, and not the false apostles, who had represented his ministry as weak and foolish; and in his life and conversation, especially in his humble carriage and deportment among them, and in his tender love and affection for them; observing their growing pride, haughtiness, and vain opinion of themselves, and those unnatural divisions and animosities which were fomented among them; and also in bearing reproach and persecution cheerfully and patiently, for the Gospel of Christ; a detail of which he had given them in some preceding verses.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 14-21 - In reproving for sin, we should distinguish between sinners and their sins. Reproofs that kindly and affectionately warn, are likely to reform. Though the apostle spoke with authority as a parent, he woul rather beseech them in love. And as ministers are to set an example others must follow them, as far as they follow Christ in faith an practice. Christians may mistake and differ in their views, but Chris and Christian truth are the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever Whenever the gospel is effectual, it comes not in word only, but als in power, by the Holy Spirit, quickening dead sinners, deliverin persons from the slavery of sin and Satan, renewing them both inwardl and outwardly, and comforting, strengthening, and establishing the saints, which cannot be done by the persuasive language of men, but by the power of God. And it is a happy temper, to have the spirit of love and meekness bear the rule, yet to maintain just authority __________________________________________________________________
Greek Textus Receptus
παρακαλω 3870 5719 V-PAI-1S ουν 3767 CONJ υμας 5209 P-2AP μιμηται 3402 N-NPM μου 3450 P-1GS γινεσθε 1096 5737 V-PNM-2P
Robertson's NT Word Studies
4:16 {Be ye imitators of me} (mimetai mou ginesqe). "Keep on becoming (present middle imperative) imitators of me (objective genitive)." mimetes is an old word from mimeomai, to copy, to mimic (mimos). 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.
