9. (a) In what ways did the apostle Paul exemplify this Christian principle? (b) How did the brothers manifest that Paul had a large place in their heart, and what can we learn from this?

⁹ As we have seen in the preceding article, the apostle Paul imitated Jesus’ own example of humble service. (1 Cor. 11:1) Talking to the elders of the city of Ephesus, Paul could truthfully say to them: “You know how, from the day that I first set foot in the province of Asia, for the whole time that I was with you, I served the Lord in all humility amid the sorrows and trials that came upon me . . .

He was an example for all Christian elders.​—Acts 20:18, 19, 31-37, NE; compare 1 Corinthians 2:1-5; 1 Thessalonians 2:5-9.