The apostle Paul urged the Christians in Corinth to follow him as he followed Christ (1 Cor. 11:1). It is only his imitation of Christ the apostle desired others duplicate. Christ is the ultimate example. Paul formerly persecuted the church, but his powerful conversion shows how one who was the chief of sinners could be saved by God’s mercy (1 Tim. 1:13-16). Paul’s life then became a pattern others could imitate (1 Tim. 1:16). Paul did not want others to commit the same sins of his former life; instead, he wanted others to adopt this mindset, “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Phil. 1:21).

Paul preached Christ crucified (1 Cor. 1:23), even though others thought the message was foolishness (1 Cor. 1:18). Festus called him crazy (Acts 26:24). But Paul spoke words of truth and reason (Acts 26:25). Paul knew that the gospel he preached was the power to salvation (Rom. 1:16; 1 Cor. 15:1-4). He spoke the truth in love for the souls of men (Eph. 4:15) even if those men responded by treating him as an enemy (Gal. 4:16).

In this way, Paul was like Christ and is an example to us. Paul’s life as a messenger of the gospel is one of sacrifice. He said, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Gal. 2:20).

Paul did not just talk a good talk. He lived it. He could point to his own work ethic when he corrected those in Thessalonica who would not work (1 Thess. 2:9; 2 Thess. 3:8). When he encouraged the Ephesian elders in Acts 20, he spoke from experience (Acts 20:17-27). Acts 19 shows how he had much concern and sorrow when he began work in Ephesus. He “fought with beasts” there (1 Cor. 15:32). Yet, Paul served the Lord with all humility of mind (Acts 20:19). Paul again pointed to his own example in his final commission to those elders in Acts 20:32-35:

So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

What about you and me? Do we live a life that we would recommend others imitating? I’m not suggesting that we try to draw as much attention to ourselves as possible to get the praise of men (Mt. 6:1-7), but that we let our light shine (Mt. 5:16). Paul did not preach himself (2 Cor. 4:5). He did, however, truly live the Christian life. Those around him saw the genuineness of his faith by his life. If Paul were to talk to you today, he could likely encourage you to be an example as well, as he said to Timothy, “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Tim. 4:12).