Definition and Concept: The concept of imitation in the Bible refers to the act of following or emulating the behavior, character, and actions of others, particularly those who exemplify godly virtues. In the Christian context, imitation is often directed towards Christ, His apostles, and other faithful believers who model a life of righteousness and obedience to God.

Biblical Foundation: The call to imitate is rooted in the desire to grow in holiness and to reflect the character of God. The Bible provides numerous exhortations to imitate Christ and other godly examples as a means of spiritual growth and maturity.

Key Scriptures:

1. 1 Corinthians 11:1 · "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ."
The Apostle Paul encourages the Corinthians to imitate him, but only insofar as he imitates Christ. This underscores the importance of Christ as the ultimate model for Christian living.

2. Ephesians 5:1-2 · "Be imitators of God, therefore, as beloved children, and walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant sacrificial offering to God."
Believers are called to imitate God by living a life of love, mirroring the sacrificial love demonstrated by Christ.

3. Philippians 3:17 · "Join one another in following my example, brothers, and carefully observe those who walk according to the pattern we set for you."
Paul urges the Philippians to follow his example and to take note of others who live according to the teachings and lifestyle he has demonstrated.

4. Hebrews 13:7 · "Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith."
The faithful are encouraged to remember and imitate the faith of their leaders, who have taught them the Word of God and lived out their faith in tangible ways.

5. 1 Thessalonians 1:6 · "And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, when you welcomed the message with the joy of the Holy Spirit, in spite of your great suffering."
The Thessalonians are commended for imitating the apostles and the Lord, receiving the gospel with joy despite persecution.

Theological Significance: Imitation in the Christian life is not merely about external conformity but involves a transformation of the heart and mind to align with the character of Christ. It is an active pursuit of holiness and righteousness, empowered by the Holy Spirit. The call to imitate is both an individual and communal endeavor, as believers encourage one another to grow in Christlikeness.

Practical Application: Christians are encouraged to seek out godly mentors and examples within their communities, to study the life and teachings of Jesus, and to apply biblical principles in their daily lives. Imitation involves a commitment to spiritual disciplines, such as prayer, study of Scripture, and fellowship, which foster growth in Christlike character.

Challenges and Considerations: While imitation is a biblical mandate, it requires discernment to ensure that the examples being followed are truly reflective of Christ's teachings. Believers must be cautious of legalism or superficial imitation that lacks genuine transformation. The ultimate goal is to become more like Christ, who is the perfect model of faith and obedience.1. (v. t.) To follow as a pattern, model, or example; to copy or strive to copy, in acts, manners etc.

2. (v. t.) To produce a semblance or likeness of, in form, character, color, qualities, conduct, manners, and the like; to counterfeit; to copy.

3. (v. t.) To resemble (another species of animal, or a plant, or inanimate object) in form, color, ornamentation, or instinctive habits, so as to derive an advantage thereby; as, when a harmless snake imitates a venomous one in color and manner, or when an odorless insect imitates, in color, one having secretion offensive to birds.

3401. mimeomai -- to imitate
... to imitate. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: mimeomai Phonetic Spelling:
(mim-eh'-om-ahee) Short Definition: I imitate Definition: I imitate, follow. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3401.htm - 6k

1811. exakoloutheo -- to follow (out, up), ie to imitate
... to follow (out, up), ie to imitate. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: exakoloutheo
Phonetic Spelling: (ex-ak-ol-oo-theh'-o) Short Definition: I follow after ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1811.htm - 7k

1872. epakoloutheo -- to follow after
... Spelling: (ep-ak-ol-oo-theh'-o) Short Definition: I follow close after, endorse
Definition: I follow close after, accompany, dog; I imitate, pursue, am ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1872.htm - 7k

6213a. asah -- do, make
... gather (1), gave (4), give you over (1), grant (1), granted (1), greedily (1), happen
(1), happened (1), held (2), help (1), hold (1), imitate (1), imparted (1 ...
/hebrew/6213a.htm - 8k

In this Matter we must Imitate David's Silence and Humility...
... Three Books on the Duties of the Clergy. by St. Ambrose, Bishop of Milan. Book I.
Chapter VI. In this matter we must imitate David's silence and humility? ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter vi in this matter.htm

Whom Sinners Imitate.
... A Treatise on the Merits and Forgiveness of Sins, and on the Baptism of
Infants Chapter 17."Whom Sinners Imitate. "For if by one ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 17 whom sinners imitate.htm

That if we Want to Imitate the Apostles we Ought not to Live ...
... Prolegomena. Chapter XVIII. That if we want to imitate the apostles we ought not
to live according to our own prescriptions, but to follow their example. ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xviii that if we.htm

Petilianus Said: "Imitate Indeed the Prophets, who Feared to have ...
... Book II. Chapter 103. " 234. Petilianus said: "Imitate indeed the prophets,
who feared to have their holy souls? "234. Petilianus ...
/.../chapter 103 234 petilianus.htm

The Fifty-Sixth Chapter: we Ought to Deny Ourselves and Imitate ...
... BOOK THREE. INTERNAL CONSOLATION The Fifty-Sixth Chapter: We Ought to Deny Ourselves
and Imitate Christ Through Bearing the Cross. The Voice of Christ ...
/.../kempis/the imitation of christ/the fifty-sixth chapter we ought.htm

The Eighteenth Chapter: Man Should not Scrutinize this Sacrament ...
... AN INVITATION TO HOLY COMMUNION The Eighteenth Chapter: Man Should Not Scrutinize
This Sacrament in Curiosity, But Humbly Imitate Christ and Submit Reason to ...
/.../kempis/the imitation of christ/the eighteenth chapter man should.htm

Of Constantius his Father, who Refused to Imitate Diocletian ...
... Book I. Chapter XIII."Of Constantius his Father, who refused to imitate Diocletian,
Maximian, and Maxentius, in their Persecution of the Christians. ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/chapter xiii of constantius his father.htm

Therefore Let the Rest of the Faithful, who have Lost virginity...
... But they are able every where, save when He walks in the grace of virginity. "Blessed
are the poor in spirit;" [2081] imitate Him, Who, whereas "He was rich ...
/.../augustine/of holy virginity /section 28 therefore let the.htm

Christian Morals. Part iii.
... CHRISTIAN MORALS. CHRISTIAN MORALS. PART III. TIS hard to find a whole age
to imitate, or what century to propose for example. Some ...
//christianbookshelf.org/browne/christian morals/christian morals part iii.htm

Divinity of virginity.
... Dost thou wish to be a Christian? Imitate Christ in everything. ... Imitate, therefore,
the ambassador of our Lord, and be his follower [340] in every thing. ...
/.../clement/two epistles concerning virginity/chapter vi divinity of virginity.htm

Imitate (13 Occurrences)
...Imitate (13 Occurrences). Matthew 6:8 Do not, however, imitate them; for your Father
knows what things you need before ever you ask Him. (WEY). ...
/i/imitate.htm - 10k

Follow (267 Occurrences)
... 9. (vi) To go or come after; -- used in the various senses of the transitive verb:
To pursue; to attend; to accompany; to be a result; to imitate. Int. ...
/f/follow.htm - 38k

Conduct (93 Occurrences)
... (See NAS RSV). 2 Thessalonians 3:9 not because we don't have the right, but to make
ourselves an example to you, that you should imitate us. (See RSV). ...
/c/conduct.htm - 35k

Resemble (15 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To liken; to compare; to represent as like. 3. (vt) To counterfeit; to imitate.
4. (vt) To cause to imitate or be like. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/r/resemble.htm - 11k

Model (9 Occurrences)
... 9. (vi) To make a copy or a pattern; to design or imitate forms; as, to model
in wax. Multi-Version Concordance Model (9 Occurrences). ...
/m/model.htm - 10k

Mimic
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (v.) To imitate speech and actions. ... 3. (vt)
To imitate or ape for sport; to ridicule by imitation. ...
/m/mimic.htm - 6k

Copy (18 Occurrences)
... 9. (n.) To imitate; to attempt to resemble, as in manners or course of
life. 10. (vi) To make a copy or copies; to imitate. 11. ...
/c/copy.htm - 13k

Counterfeit (3 Occurrences)
... 7. (vt) To imitate, or put on a semblance of; to mimic; as, to counterfeit
the voice of another person. 8. (vt) To imitate with ...
/c/counterfeit.htm - 9k

Ourselves (129 Occurrences)
... which you endure. (WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV). 2 Thessalonians
3:7 For you know how you ought to imitate us. For we didn ...
/o/ourselves.htm - 38k

Undisciplined (3 Occurrences)
... Undisciplined (3 Occurrences). 2 Thessalonians 3:7 For you know how you ought to
imitate us. For we didn't behave ourselves rebelliously among you, (See NAS). ...
/u/undisciplined.htm - 7k

What does the Bible mean when it refers to emulations? | GotQuestions.org

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Imitate: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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