Greek word · G1872

ἐπακολουθέω

epakoloutheō

to follow after

To follow after, follow closely, come along behind; also to pursue a course or carry out. It intensifies the ordinary word for following (akoloutheō), which the Gospels use for discipleship.

Appears 3 times in 3 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

ἐπ-ακολουθέω, -ῶ

[in LXX (chiefly metaphorically) for אָחַר, הָלַךְ, etc. ;]

to follow after; in NT metaphorically; absol.: Mark 16:20 (illustrated by use in verifying accounts; see MM, Exp., xiv; Milligan; NTD, 78); with dative of person(s), of sins, 1 Timothy 5:24 (cf. Ellic. and CGT, in l); τ. ἴχνεσιν, 1 Peter 2:21; ἔργῳ ἀγαθῷ, 1 Timothy 5:10.†

(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 1 Peter 2:21

Range of meaning

To follow after, follow closely, come along behind; also to pursue a course or carry out. It intensifies the ordinary word for following (akoloutheō), which the Gospels use for discipleship.

Against the English

"Follow" is accurate. The prefix adds closeness: following right on the heels of someone, not loosely in their general direction.

Used elsewhere in the period

NT: Mark 16:20 (signs "following"), 1 Timothy 5:10, 24. The root akoloutheō is the Gospels' word for following Jesus ("Follow me", Mark 1:18; 8:34). Peter, who in Mark 8 resisted the idea of a suffering Messiah and was told to take up his cross and follow, now uses the same picture.

Where it appears

1 Timothy · 2

  1. 1 Timothy 5:10 ἐπηκολούθησεν. she has followed after.

    and well known for good deeds such as bringing up children, entertaining strangers, washing the feet of the saints, imparting relief to the afflicted, and devoting herself to every good work.

    Here: To follow close behind, to pursue. The picture is of someone who went after every chance to do good, which is why many translations say 'devoted herself' or 'diligently followed'.

  2. 1 Timothy 5:24 ἐπακολουθοῦσιν. they appear later.

    The sins of some men are obvious, going ahead of them to judgment; but the sins of others do not surface until later.

1 Peter · 1

  1. 1 Peter 2:21 ἐπακολουθήσητε you may follow after

    For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His footsteps:

    Here: "Follow" with the added prefix *epi-*, meaning close upon: following right behind someone, putting your feet where theirs went.

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