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"but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable to God.
For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an
example, that ye should follow His steps" (I Pet. 2: 20, 21).
The Lord Himself is our supreme example. He suffered for our sakes, "Who did no
sin, neither was guile found in His mouth" (22). Paul described how Christ left His
heavenly home and gave His all for us, humbling Himself and becoming obedient unto
death (Phil. 2: 5-11). He was an example to His disciples when He washed their feet:
"For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you" (John 13: 15).
Peter advised the elders to feed the flock, but to keep humble as they did the Lord's
work. They should be an example to others:
"Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock" (I Pet. 5: 3).
The example to which Paul refers in his First Epistle to Timothy is not to his own
conduct, but to God's mercy and grace. He was deeply conscious of the evil he had done
in persecuting the church, but God knew he did it through ignorance, and He was
merciful. Paul asserted that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, adding, "of
whom I am chief" (I Tim. 1: 15). He was an example (or pattern, for hupotuposis is used)
to all sinners who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour:
"Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew
forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on Him to
life everlasting" (I Tim. 1: 16).
But in Paul's Epistle to the Thessalonians, he does use the Greek word tupos in the
context of his own conduct being an example for others to follow. He writes about the
need to be honest and orderly, and working to provide for daily needs. "If any would not
work, neither should he eat", he wrote (II Thess. 3: 10-12). He explains how he made
himself an example to others:
"Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail
night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: Not because we have
power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us" (II Thess. 3: 8, 9).
Paul gave similar advice to Timothy, that his conduct might be an example to
believers. Again he uses the Greek word tupos:
"Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in
conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attendance to
reading ..." (I Tim. 4: 12, 13).
There is one more reference to complete our study of examples or patterns. In
Phil.3:, Paul explains how he was pressing toward the mark for the prize of the high
calling of God in Christ Jesus (3: 10-15). Should our minds not be fully in line with the
will of God, He will reveal even this, Paul declares: