John Calvin Commentary 1 Corinthians 4:16

"I beseech you therefore, be ye imitators of me." — 1 Corinthians 4:16 (ASV)

I exhort you. He now also expresses, in his own words, what he requires from them in his fatherly admonition — that, as his sons, they should not decline from their father's character. For what is more reasonable than that sons should strive to be as similar as possible to their father?

At the same time, he yields something concerning his own authority when he exhorts them to this, by entreating rather than commanding. But to what extent he wishes them to be imitators of him, he shows elsewhere when he adds, as he was of Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1). This limitation must always be observed, so that we do not follow any person, except insofar as he leads us to Christ.

We know what he is addressing here. The Corinthians not only shunned the abasement of the cross, but they also regarded their father with contempt because, forgetting earthly glory, he gloried instead in reproaches for Christ. They considered themselves and others fortunate in having nothing contemptible according to the flesh. He accordingly admonishes them to devote themselves, following his example, to the service of Christ, in order to endure all things patiently.