1811. exakoloutheó

Lexical Summary

exakoloutheó: To follow closely, to follow after, to imitate

Original Word: ἐξακολουθέω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: exakoloutheó
Pronunciation: ex-ak-ol-oo-theh'-o
Phonetic Spelling: (ex-ak-ol-oo-theh'-o)
KJV: follow
NASB: follow, followed
Word Origin: [from G1537 (ἐκ - among) and G190 (ἀκολουθέω - followed)]

1. to follow out
2. (figuratively) to imitate, obey, yield to

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

follow.

From ek and akoloutheo; to follow out, i.e. (figuratively) to imitate, obey, yield to -- follow.

see GREEK ek

see GREEK akoloutheo

HELPS Word-studies

1811 eksakolouthéō (from 1537 /ek, "wholly out from," intensifying 190 /akolouthéō, "follow") – properly, completely follow (literally, "wholly out from"), i.e. closely imitating (emulating) someone as a model or leader.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from ek and akoloutheó
Definition
to follow (out, up), i.e. to imitate
NASB Translation
follow (2), followed (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 1811: ἐξακολουθέω

ἐξακολουθέω, ἐξακολούθω: future ἐξακολουθήσω; 1 aorist participle ἐξακολουθησας; to follow out or up, tread in one's steps;

a. τῇ ὁδῷ τίνος, metaphorically, to imitate one's way of acting: 2 Peter 2:15, cf. Isaiah 56:11.

b. to follow one's authority: μύθοις, 2 Peter 1:16; Josephus, Antiquities prooem. 4 (ἀρχηγοῖς, Clement of Rome, 1 Cor. 14, 1 [ET]; δυσί βασιλεῦσι, Test xii. Patr., p. 643 (test. Zeb. § 9)).

c. to comply with, yield to: ἀσελγείαις (Rec. ἀπωλείαις), 2 Peter 2:2, (πνεύμασι πλάνης, Test xii. Patr., p. 665 (test. Napht. § 3; τοῖς πονηροῖς διαβουλίοις, xii. Patr., p. 628 test. Isa. § 6); cf. also Amos 2:4; Job 31:9; Sir. 5:2). Among secular authors, Polybius, Plutarch, occasionally use the word; (add Dionysius Halicarnassus, de comp. verb. § 24, p. 188, 7; Epictetus diss. 1, 22, 16).

Topical Lexicon

Semantic Range and Nuance

Greek 1811 (ἐξακολουθέω) depicts an intentional, sustained following. The term carries the sense of tracing a path laid down by another—either faithfully embracing truth or, in the negative usage that dominates its New Testament appearances, doggedly adhering to error. It combines the ideas of outward imitation and inward alignment, stressing continued commitment rather than a momentary choice.

Occurrences in 2 Peter

2 Peter alone contains all three inspired uses:
• 2 Peter 1:16 contrasts apostolic testimony with “cleverly devised myths,” asserting that the apostles had not “followed” such fictions when proclaiming Christ’s majesty.
• 2 Peter 2:2 warns, “Many will follow their depravity, and because of them the way of truth will be maligned.”
• 2 Peter 2:15 cites Balaam as the tragic model: “They have left the straight way and strayed, following the way of Balaam son of Beor, who loved the wages of wickedness.”

Across these references, the word consistently emphasizes a deliberate, ongoing choice of allegiance—either to truth or to error.

Theological Implications

1. Authority of Apostolic Witness: The first occurrence underscores that the gospel rests on historical revelation, not on myths. To “follow” truth is to submit to the eyewitness testimony of those Christ commissioned (Acts 1:8; John 15:27).
2. Reality of Apostasy: The second and third uses reveal that deception is not merely intellectual but moral; people “follow” sensuality and greed because their hearts desire it (James 1:14–15).
3. Judgment Certain: By echoing Balaam, Peter links present false teachers to Old Testament patterns that always ended in divine judgment (Numbers 31:8; Jude 11). Thus, the term carries an eschatological weight: the path one follows determines eternal destiny.

Historical Context

Second-century church fathers testify that pseudo-Christian groups exploited the name of Jesus while denying His lordship. Peter’s letter, likely penned in the mid-60s A.D., pre-emptively exposes such movements. His vocabulary mirrors contemporary philosophical schools where “following” a teacher denoted full-life discipleship. By appropriating this term, Peter frames the church’s struggle as one of discipleship—whether to Christ or to counterfeit guides.

Relationship to Other Biblical Themes

• Discipleship: Jesus called individuals to “Follow Me” (Matthew 4:19). ἐξακολουθέω places that invitation in stark relief; there is no neutral ground.
• Imitation: Paul urged believers, “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). Right imitation safeguards the church; wrong imitation destroys it (3 John 11).
• Covenant Faithfulness: Israel was often rebuked for “following other gods” (Deuteronomy 6:14). Peter shows the same covenant dynamic within the new-covenant community.

Warnings Against False Teachers

Peter’s linkage of ἐξακολουθέω with moral corruption indicates that detection of error is not merely doctrinal but ethical. Greed, sensuality, and rebellion against authority accompany doctrinal deviation (2 Peter 2:10, 18–19). Ministries must therefore evaluate both message and lifestyle before granting a platform (1 Timothy 5:22; Titus 1:10–11).

Call to Authentic Apostolic Witness

Because the apostles did not “follow cleverly devised myths,” modern proclaimers are summoned to:

1. Anchor preaching in the historic life, death, resurrection, and promised return of Jesus Christ.
2. Model integrity that contrasts with the licentious path of impostors.
3. Equip congregations to discern whom they are following, reminding them that “the way of truth” must not be slandered through compromised leadership.

Application for Ministry

• Catechesis: Systematically teach believers how the storyline of Scripture exposes and refutes the myths of each generation.
• Accountability: Establish transparent financial and moral oversight to prevent Balaam-like abuses.
• Evangelism: Present the gospel as the only trustworthy path to follow, inviting hearers into a lifelong pilgrimage after the risen Lord (John 10:27).

Summary

Greek 1811 warns that everyone is a follower; the only question is whose footsteps we trace. Peter deploys the term to set before the church the stark alternatives of truth versus deception, holiness versus corruption, life versus judgment. Faithful ministry must therefore continually call people to “follow the Lamb wherever He goes” (Revelation 14:4), rejecting every counterfeit way.

Forms and Transliterations

εξακολουθήσαί εξακολουθησαντες εξακολουθήσαντες ἐξακολουθήσαντες εξακολουθησουσιν εξακολουθήσουσιν ἐξακολουθήσουσιν εξηκολούθησαν εξηκολούθησεν εξηκονήθη exakolouthesantes exakolouthēsantes exakolouthḗsantes exakolouthesousin exakolouthēsousin exakolouthḗsousin

Englishman's Concordance

2 Peter 1:16 V-APA-NMP
GRK: σεσοφισμένοις μύθοις ἐξακολουθήσαντες ἐγνωρίσαμεν ὑμῖν
NAS: For we did not follow cleverly devised
KJV: not followed cunningly devised
INT: cleverly-imagined fables having followed out we made known to you

2 Peter 2:2 V-FIA-3P
GRK: καὶ πολλοὶ ἐξακολουθήσουσιν αὐτῶν ταῖς
NAS: Many will follow their sensuality,
KJV: many shall follow their
INT: and many will follow after their

2 Peter 2:15 V-APA-NMP
GRK: ὁδὸν ἐπλανήθησαν ἐξακολουθήσαντες τῇ ὁδῷ
NAS: they have gone astray, having followed the way
KJV: and are gone astray, following the way
INT: way they went astray having followed in the way

Strong's Greek 1811
3 Occurrences

ἐξακολουθήσαντες — 2 Occ.
ἐξακολουθήσουσιν — 1 Occ.