Paul himself was no lethargic or lazy Christian. It is estimated that he travelled in the region of 10,000 miles to spread the gospel, so that he might take the gospel to places where Christ was not named. Most of these miles were walked!
Paul in turn wanted others to be an imitator of him as he was of Christ Jesus. Twice in writing to the Corinthians he exhorted them to be followers in this regard: 1 Cor 4:16 Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me; 1 Cor 11:1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
The word 'follower' here, and in the vast majority of places in the New Testament, comes from a Greek word that has come over into the English language as 'mimic'. A 'mimic' is someone who is very skilled at imitating the voice, mannerisms, or movements of someone else.
This is what Paul would have others to do of him, as he in turn did of Christ. Would it be said of us as said of the believers in Thessalonica: And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, …, 1 Thess 1:6?
It is not surprising then to observe that Paul draws illustrations from these Games and the competitors to emphasis and illustrate how it ought to be with us as we run for God and Christ in this world. |
