Greek word · G1615

ἐκτελέω

ekteleō

to finish up

To bring fully to an end, to complete, to accomplish. The prefix ek- ('out') adds the sense of 'right through' to teleō ('finish').

Appears 2 times in 2 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

ἐκ-τελέω, -ῶ

[in LXX: Deuteronomy 32:45 (כָּלָה), 2 Chronicles 4:5, (Da TH Dan.3:40), 2Ma.15:9 * ;]

to bring to an end, finish, complete: Luke 14:29-30.†

(AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of Luke 14:30

Range of meaning

To bring fully to an end, to complete, to accomplish. The prefix ek- ('out') adds the sense of 'right through' to teleō ('finish').

Against the English

English versions say 'finish'. That is right, though the Greek is slightly stronger: carrying it through to the very end.

Used elsewhere in the period

Found in classical Greek and the Septuagint for completing tasks and works. In the New Testament only Luke 14:29–30, where it is repeated on purpose.

Where it appears

Luke · 2

  1. Luke 14:29 ἐκτελέσαι to finish

    Otherwise, if he lays the foundation and is unable to finish the work, everyone who sees it will ridicule him,

  2. Luke 14:30 ἐκτελέσαι. to finish.

    saying, ‘This man could not finish what he started to build.’

    Here: A strengthened form of 'finish': carry it right through to completion. In the New Testament it appears only here and in verse 29. The stress falls on the missing end of the job.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.