Another key element of Paul’s hermeneutics is his use of his own story to teach the gospel.
Beginning in 1 Cor 9:1, Paul uses his surrender of his own rights as an apostle as an example of how to live as a Christian, that is, of how to honor the gospel.
This argument consumes the entire chapter — one full chapter on how Paul’s life is an example of Christ-like living. And so it should be no surprise that he summarizes the three chapters by declaring —
(1Co 11:1 ESV) Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.
(It was surely a mistake to put this verse in chapter 11, when it really belongs at the end of chapter 10.)
Why should I give up meat sacrificed to idols? Why should I even miss meals to protect my weaker brothers from being tempted into sin by peer pressure? Because Jesus would. And how do I know that? Because Paul, in following Jesus, made many similar such sacrifices.
Thus, the gospel is interpreted by Paul in light of how Jesus lived — and especially how he gave himself up on the cross — and this establishes Paul’s personal ethics. It determines how Paul lives. And so Paul can then argue his case not only from the life lived by Jesus but also the life lived by Paul. Hermeneutics, theology, and ethics all blend together in a life lived as a follower of Jesus.
To our ears, it sounds a bit arrogant. Who among us would say to his congregation, “Be imitators of me as I am of Christ”? We wouldn’t dare! But Paul says this in other places as well. It’s not exceptional for Paul at all. It’s not even the first time he’s said this in
1 Corinthians.
(1Co 4:15-16 ESV) 15 For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. 16 I urge you, then, be imitators of me.
(Phi 4:9 ESV) 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me — practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
But, of course, Paul is an apostle with a special, apostolic gift of the Spirit. Surely only Paul or another apostle could say such a thing! But, in fact, Paul says that there are others who should be followed as they follow Jesus —
(Phi 3:17 ESV) 17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.
In Philippians, he notes that some church members also follow the “pattern” of the cross of Jesus. But in his first letter to the Thessalonians, he declares the entire congregation an example to be followed, because they imitate Paul and Jesus! The whole church!
(1Th 1:6-7 ESV) 6 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.
So being an example of Christlikeness is not about having a special gift of the Spirit. Rather, it’s an outcome all of us can actually attain! We can all live enough like Jesus that we can be examples to be followed.
We don’t believe this for a minute, of course. We see Jesus as super-human, magically equipped to live as we never could. But in assuming this to be true, we ignore the lesson of the temptations of Jesus. Jesus always refused to use his miraculous powers for his own good. If he wouldn’t do a miracle even to make a loaf of bread after a 40-day fast, why do we assume that he miraculously overcame all the other temptations he suffered?
I believe Jesus resisted temptation successfully in his fully human, entire temptable nature. Otherwise, there’d be no merit in his overcoming sin. Otherwise, he couldn’t learn obedience so that he could impart to us the same ability through the Spirit.
(Heb 5:7-10 ESV) 7 In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. 8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. 9 And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, 10 being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.
Paul presumably had less of the Spirit than Jesus — and yet Paul managed to live an amazing, courageous, victorious life — by imitating Jesus.
Thus, Paul is able to say with great conviction: “You can do this, too. Follow me!” Paul’s repeated urgings that we follow him as he follows Christ would be cruel and taunting if it could only be done by those with special apostolic gifts. And I think Paul was entirely serious.
The Orthodox teach that sin is to miss the mark, and the mark is Jesus. Sin is a failure to live as Jesus lived. To be sinless is to live as Jesus lived. And therefore that must be our goal.
Hence, the life Paul lived becomes a key hermeneutic. We understand the teachings of Jesus and of Paul through the lens that this is actually possible to do because it’s been done.
And yet, Paul also declares,
(1Ti 1:12-16 ESV) 12 I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, 13 though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, 14 and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. 16 But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.
Paul makes no pretense of being perfect — no more than the entire congregation in Thessalonica was perfect. It’s being a disciple, a follower of Jesus.
