Philippians 3:17

“Brethren, be followers together of me, etc.] Not that the apostle set up himself as the head of a party, which is what he always blamed in others; he did not assume a dominion over the faith of men, or seek to lord it over God's heritage; nor did he desire any to be followers of him, any further than he was a follower of Christ; and in what he was, whether in doctrine or practice, he desires to be followed in: and here he has a particular regard to what went before, concerning reckoning what was gain loss; accounting all things but dung, in comparison of the knowledge of Christ, looking to his righteousness alone for justification, (<500309>Philippians 3:9); disclaiming perfection, yet…”

“followers--Greek, "imitators together." of me--as I am an imitator of Christ (Co1 11:1): Imitate me no farther than as I imitate Christ. Or as BENGEL "My fellow imitators of God" or "Christ"; "imitators of Christ together with me" (see on Phi 2:22; Eph 5:1). mark--for imitation. which walk so as ye have us for an ensample--In English Version of the former clause, the translation of this clause is, "those who are walking so as ye have an example in us." But in BENGEL'S translation, "inasmuch as," or "since," instead of "as."”

“Brethren, be followers together of me - That is, live as I do. A minister of the gospel, a parent, or a Christian of any age or condition, ought so to live that he can refer to his own example, and exhort others to imitate the course of life which he had led. Paul could do this without ostentation or impropriety. They knew that he lived so as to be a proper example for others; and he knew that they would feel that his life had been such that there would be no impropriety in his referring to it in this manner. But, alas, how few are there who can safely imitate Paul in this! And mark them which walk so, as ye have us for an ensample - There were those in the church who endeavored to live as…”

“Mark them - For your imitation. Philippians 3:18”

“3:17 pattern your lives after mine: Paul’s serious pursuit of Christ and the life to which God had called him (3:7-14; 4:9; 1 Cor 4:6, 16-17; 11:1; 2 Thes 3:7-9) contrasts markedly with that of the enemies of Christ who are described next (Phil 3:18-19).”

“be: Phi 4:9; Co1 4:16, Co1 10:32, Co1 10:33, Co1 11:1; Th1 1:6, Th1 2:10-14; Th2 3:7, Th2 3:9; Ti1 4:12; Heb 13:7; Pe1 5:3 and mark: Psa 37:37; Rom 16:17; Th2 3:14 Philippians 3:18”