Apostolic Commendation
J. W. Burn. 1 Corinthians 11:1-2 Be you followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.… I. ITS GROUNDS. 1. Personal, "that ye remember me."(1) We all like to be remembered, especially by those who owe us much, or between us and whom there exist the tenderest relationships. These Corinthians owed all their spiritual life and blessings to the apostle, and it comforted him amidst the toils and perils of his Ephesian ministry to know that he was not forgotten. Nothing would more sadden a father than to be forgotten by his children, a wife by her husband, a pastor by his church. (2) We like to be remembered "in all things." They remembered Paul's preaching, his labours at his handicraft, his sympathy and helplessness. And when we come across an acquaintance that we have not seen for years, how pleasant it is to be remembered by one's features: tone, gait, or some other characteristic, and to gather in conversation that this and that incident or word has been treasured up. 2. Moral. The Corinthians not only remembered Paul and what he said; they remembered to do what he told them. Not the most tender personal recollections would have compensated for the absence of this. Paul's wish was not to be popular, but to be permanently useful. This is what Christ wants: "If ye love Me, keep My commandments." This is what we all want: parents, teachers, ministers, etc., and exact obedience is what is required — "as I delivered them," adding nothing to them, taking nothing from them, but keeping them both in the spirit and in the letter. II. ITS EXPRESSION. This was — 1. Frank and open. Encouraging sentiment is sometimes entertained where it is not expressed. This does no good. If you feel that a man deserves your praise, why not tell him so? 2. Large-hearted and generous. There were a good many things which the apostle could not praise, but was forced to blame the Corinthians; but where he felt he could praise conscientiously he did so unstintedly. 3. Fraternal, "Brethren." He did not indulge them as children simply to spur them on, nor flatter them as superiors to secure their patronage. He treated them as equally next himself concerned about the prosperity of the Church, and in their efforts to promote that prosperity he felt them worthy of a brother's praise. (J. W. Burn.) Parallel Verses KJV: Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. WEB: Be imitators of me, even as I also am of Christ.