Charles Ellicott Commentary 1 Corinthians 11:2

"Now I praise you that ye remember me in all things, and hold fast the traditions, even as I delivered them to you." — 1 Corinthians 11:2 (ASV)

Now I praise you.—A new subject is here introduced, and extends to 1 Corinthians 11:16. The exhortation of the previous verse probably recalled to the Apostle’s mind that to a certain extent the Corinthians did follow his teaching and example, and had possibly in their letter, to which he was now replying, boasted of their obedience. The rebuke which he is about to administer is, with characteristic courtesy, introduced with words of commendation.

While there is a likeness in form in the original in the words “imitators” and “remember,” the latter is weaker in its significance. He exhorts them to be “imitators.” He praises them only for bearing him in mind in all things to the extent of obeying certain practical directions which he had given them. The word “ordinances,” or traditions, here refers to matters of Christian discipline (2 Thessalonians 3:6).