What three verses in a row tell us to follow Paul as he follows Christ?
The three passages cited in succession are 1 Corinthians 4, Philippians 3, and 1 Corinthians 11. Together they repeat Paul’s appeal, “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ,” showing that following him means following the resurrected, ascended Lord.
Les explains that Paul writes to the world today just as surely as he wrote to the Corinthians in his day. In 1 Corinthians 11 he says, 'Be ye followers of me,' and Les points out there are three verses right in a row that say the same thing: 1 Corinthians 4, Philippians 3, and 1 Corinthians 11. Les clarifies Paul is not setting himself up as the Savior or as some God. Rather, Paul says, as I follow the resurrected, ascended Lord, you follow me. Les also stresses that Paul makes this analogy throughout his letters and continually defends his apostleship, because God designated him to take salvation to the Gentiles. Even in his day people accused him of heresy and being an imposter since he did not walk with Jesus those three years like Peter, James, and John. Paul nevertheless insists he is an Apostle who received all these revelations.