What does Paul mean by 'be ye followers of me'?
Paul means believers should imitate him only insofar as he imitates Christ. He is not claiming to be Savior or God; rather, as he follows the resurrected, ascended Lord, others should follow his example. This apostolic pattern is repeated in 1 Corinthians 4, Philippians 3, and 1 Corinthians 11.
Les explains that Paul is not setting himself up as the Savior of the world or as some God. Instead, Paul says, 'As I follow the resurrected, ascended Lord, you follow me.' Paul makes this analogy throughout his letters. Les points out that Paul constantly had to defend his apostleship because even people in his day accused him of heresy and of being an imposter, since he did not walk with the Lord Jesus during those three years like Peter, James, and John did. Nevertheless, Paul insisted, 'I AM an Apostle. I AM the one who has received all these revelations.' God designated Paul to take salvation to the Gentiles, so Les makes no apology for emphasizing Paul.
Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.