You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. 1 Thessalonians 1:6-7
Imitators of us and the Lord
The Greek is mimetes.
We get the word “mimic” from the root.
It means someone who follows a pattern or a model.
It implies a focus on behavior and faithfulness to the original.
Example to all the believers
The Greek is tupos.
We get the word “type” from the root.
It means an example or a pattern to be followed.
It carries the idea of helping others understand the original.
We are both imitators and examples.
We imitate Christ.
We faithfully reproduce Christ’s behavior.
Others understand what following Jesus is all about
By watching us.
When you realize what an awesome responsibility
What an amazing stewardship we have been given
It begins to sink in
What a compliment Paul pays the Thessalonians.
What would he say about us?