The concept of imitation in the Bible is closely tied to the idea of following examples, particularly those set by God, Christ, and the apostles. Imitation is seen as a means of spiritual growth and moral development, encouraging believers to emulate the virtues and behaviors exemplified by these figures.

Imitation of God

Believers are called to imitate God in their conduct and character. Ephesians 5:1-2 exhorts, "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." This passage highlights the call to emulate God's love and sacrificial nature, reflecting His holiness and righteousness in daily life.

Imitation of Christ

The imitation of Christ is a central theme in the New Testament. Jesus serves as the ultimate model for Christian living. In 1 Peter 2:21 , it is written, "For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His footsteps." This verse underscores the importance of following Christ's example, particularly in enduring suffering and demonstrating humility and obedience to God's will.

Imitation of Apostolic Examples

The apostles, particularly Paul, often encouraged believers to imitate their faith and conduct. In 1 Corinthians 11:1 , Paul writes, "Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ." Here, Paul positions himself as a model for others, insofar as he follows Christ. This call to imitation extends to the broader Christian community, urging believers to learn from the faith and perseverance of those who have gone before them.

Imitation in the Early Church

The early church communities were encouraged to imitate the faith and virtues of their leaders and fellow believers. Hebrews 13:7 advises, "Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith." This instruction emphasizes the importance of observing and emulating the faithfulness and dedication of spiritual leaders.

Imitation and Moral Conduct

Imitation in the biblical context is not merely about external behavior but involves a transformation of the heart and mind. Romans 12:2 states, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." This transformation enables believers to discern and follow God's will, aligning their lives with His purposes.

Imitation and Community

The practice of imitation fosters unity and growth within the Christian community. Philippians 3:17 encourages, "Join one another in following my example, brothers, and carefully observe those who walk according to the pattern we set for you." This communal aspect of imitation strengthens the bonds among believers, as they collectively strive to live out their faith.

In summary, imitation in the Bible is a multifaceted concept that involves emulating the character and actions of God, Christ, and faithful leaders. It is a call to live a life of love, sacrifice, and holiness, reflecting the transformative power of the Gospel in the believer's life.(imp. & p. p.) of Imitate.

Humiliation and Praise. (Imitated from the German. )
... Hymn 56 Humiliation and praise. (Imitated from the German.). John Newton ... Humiliation
and praise. (Imitated from the German.). When the wounded spirit hears. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/olney hymns/hymn 56 humiliation and praise.htm

The Astrotheosophists; Aratus Imitated by the Heresiarchs; his ...
... Book IV. Chapter XLVI."The Astrotheosophists; Aratus Imitated by the
Heresiarchs; His System of the Disposition of the Stars. ...
/.../chapter xlvi the astrotheosophists aratus imitated.htm

No Difference in the Spirit of Idolatry and of Heresy in the Rites ...
... Chapter XL."No Difference in the Spirit of Idolatry and of Heresy In the Rites of
Idolatry, Satan Imitated and Distorted the Divine Institutions of the Older ...
/.../the prescription against heretics/chapter xl no difference in the.htm

The Obscurity of the Sacred Writers, Though Compatible with ...
... Book IV. Chapter 8."The Obscurity of the Sacred Writers, Though Compatible
with Eloquence, Not to Be Imitated by Christian Teachers. 22. ...
/.../on christian doctrine in four books /chapter 8 the obscurity of the.htm

Pontitianus' Account of Antony, the Founder of Monachism, and of ...
... Book VIII. Chapter VI."Pontitianus' Account of Antony, the Founder of
Monachism, and of Some Who Imitated Him. 13. And how, then ...
/.../the confessions and letters of st/chapter vi pontitianus account of antony.htm

Because, Therefore, Lying Heretics Find not in the Books of the ...
... Because, therefore, lying heretics find not in the books of the New Testament any
precedents of lying which are meet to be imitated, they esteem themselves to ...
/.../augustine/against lying/section 29 because therefore lying.htm

The Devil, Since He Emulates the Truth, Has Invented Fables About ...
... he rose again, and ascended to heaven; and when they introduce wine [2207] into
his mysteries, do I not perceive that [the devil] has imitated the prophecy ...
/.../chapter lxix the devil since he.htm

So Also the Mysteries of Mithras are Distorted from the Prophecies ...
... are initiated a cave, do I not perceive here that the utterance of Daniel, that
a stone without hands was cut out of a great mountain, has been imitated by them ...
/.../chapter lxx so also the mysteries.htm

Nor have I Undertaken that in the Present Discourse...
... lies which are accounted to be such, if they be understood in that manner in which
they ought to be understood; or, that those are not to be imitated which be ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/against lying/section 25 nor have i.htm

Concerning Things Performed in the Muron, and Concerning Things ...
... For by looking away from the undistorted and well imitated image of the Godlike
virtue to that contemplated and fragrant beauty, he thus moulds and fashions it ...
/.../dionysius/ecclesiastical hierarchy/caput iv i concerning things.htm

Imitated (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Imitate. Multi-Version Concordance
Imitated (1 Occurrence). 2 Kings 17:15 They rejected ...
/i/imitated.htm - 7k

Natural (49 Occurrences)
... 6. (a.) Resembling the object imitated; true to nature; according to the life; --
said of anything copied or imitated; as, a portrait is natural. ...
/n/natural.htm - 42k

Imitate (13 Occurrences)

/i/imitate.htm - 10k

Near (3455 Occurrences)
... friend. 7. (adv.) Close to anything followed or imitated; not free, loose,
or rambling; as, a version near to the original. 8. (adv ...
/n/near.htm - 9k

Original (6 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Not copied, imitated, or translated; new; fresh; genuine; as, an original
thought; an original process; the original text of Scripture. ...
/o/original.htm - 9k

Library
... had existed in the cities of Babylonia from a remote date, and the Assyrian kings,
whose civilization was derived from Babylonia, imitated the example of ...
/l/library.htm - 16k

Imitating (3 Occurrences)

/i/imitating.htm - 7k

Flower (33 Occurrences)
... (vi) To come off as flowers by sublimation. 13. (vt) To embellish with flowers;
to adorn with imitated flowers; as, flowered silk. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/f/flower.htm - 18k

Eagle (27 Occurrences)
... sun. It was about mid-day, and bright for the climate. They at first made
small circles, and the young birds imitated them. They ...
/e/eagle.htm - 28k

Example (54 Occurrences)
... a sample; a specimen. 2. (n.) That which is to be followed or imitated as
a model; a pattern or copy. 3. (n.) That which resembles ...
/e/example.htm - 26k

To what extent should we strive to be like Jesus? | GotQuestions.org

Should a Christian have swag / swagger? | GotQuestions.org

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

Imitated: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus