Quick Definition
I follow close after, endorse
Strong's Definition
to accompany
Derivation: from G1909 (ἐπί) and G190 (ἀκολουθέω);
KJV Usage: follow (after)
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
ἐπακολουθέω, ἐπακολούθω; 1 aorist ἐπηκολούθησα; to follow (close) upon, follow after; in the N. T. only metaphorically, τοῖς ἴχνεσι τίνος, to tread in one's footsteps, i. e. to imitate his example, 1Pe_2:21; with the dative of a person 1Ti_5:24 (opposed to προάγω, to go before; the meaning is, 'the sins of some men are manifest now, even before they are called to account, but the misdeeds of others are exposed when finally judgment is held'; cf. Huther (or Ellicott) at the passage); ἔργῳ ἀγαθῷ, to be devoted to good works, 1Ti_5:10; used, with the dative of the person to be mentally supplied, of the miracles accompanying the preaching of Christ's ministers, Mar_16:20. (Aristophanes, Thucydides, Xenophon, Plato, and following; occasionally in the Sept..)
Mounce Concise Greek Dictionary
ἐπακολουθέω ep akoloutheō 4x
to follow upon; to accompany, be attendant, Mar_16:20 ;
to appear later, 1Ti_5:24 ;
met. to follow one s steps, to imitate, 1Pe_2:21 ;
to follow a work, pursue, prosecute, be studious of, devoted to, 1Ti_5:10
Abbott-Smith Greek Lexicon
ἐπ -ακολουθέω , -ῶ ,
[in LXX (chiefly metaph .) for H309 , H1980 , etc.;]
to follow after ; in NT metaph .; absol. : Mar_16:20 (illustrated by use in verifying accounts; v. MM , Exp., xiv; Milligan ; NTD , 78); c. dat. pers ., of sins, 1Ti_5:24 ( cf. Ellic . and CGT , in l ); τ . ἴχνεσιν , 1Pe_2:21 ; ἔργῳ ἀγαθῷ , 1Ti_5:10 .†
Moulton & Milligan — Vocabulary of the Greek NT
ἐπακολουθέω [page 228]
From its original meaning follow, follow after, this verb came to be used in a number of closely related senses from iii/B.C. onwards. Thus it means am personally present at, see to, in P Petr II. 40( b ) .6 (iii/B.C.) καλῶς οὖν ποιήσεις ἀποστείλας τινὰ τῆι η̄ , ὃς ἐπακολουθήσει τῆι ἐγχύσει τοῦ γινομένου σου γλεύκους , it were well for you, then, to send some one on the 8th who will see to the pouring out of the must which comes to you (Ed.) : cf. P Oxy VII. 1024 .83 (A.D. 129) ἣν καταθήσεται εἰς τὴν γῆν ὑγιῶς ἐπακολουθούντων τῶν εἰωθότων , under the observance of the usual officers (Ed.), and ib. 1031 .18 (A.D. 228). Hence the meaning develops to conform to, concur with, as P Lille I. 4 .22 (B.C. 218 7) τῆς πρὸς Θ . ἐπιστολῆς ὑπογέγραφα ὑμῖν τὸ ἀντίγραφον , ὅπως ἐπακολουθοῦντες ποιῆτε κατὰ [τα ]υ̣̑τα , pour que vous vous y conformiez (Ed.), P Fay 24 .19 (A.D. 158) ἐγρ (άφη ) δ (ιὰ ] Σα̣ . . .. ς νομο [γ ]ρ (άφου ) ἐπακολουθοῦντος Διοδώρου ὑπηρέτου , written by S . . .. , scribe of the nome, with the concurrence of Diodorus, clerk, and similarly P Grenf II. 62 .14 (A.D. 211). The derived meaning ensue, result, is common, as P Ryl II. 126 .19 (A.D. 28 9) ἐξ οὗ βλάβος μοι ἐπηκλούθ (ησεν ) ( l. ἐπηκολ ) οὐκ ὀλίγον , by which no small loss resulted to me, BGU I. 72 .12 (A.D. 191) οὗ χολικὴν βλάβην ἐπεκολούθησεν , ib. 2 .14 (A.D. 209) ὡς ἐκ τούτου οὐκ ὀλίγη μοι ζημία ἐπηκολούθησεν , P Oxy X. 1255 .19 (A.D. 292) τῶν μετρημάτων γ̣[ι ]ν̣ο̣μ̣ε̣ν̣ω̣[ν ] εἰς τὸ μηδεμίαν μέμψιν ἐπακολουθῆσαι , and from the inscrr. Syll 325 .26 (i/B.C.). Another development of meaning is ratify, as in P Gen I. 22 .1 (A.D. 37 8) Ἐπίμαχος Ζωπύρου ἐ [π ]ηκολλούθηκα τῇ [πρ ]οκειμένῃ διαγραφῇ , P Oxy II. 260 .20 (A.D. 59), P Ryl II. 122 .20 (A.D. 127), P Flor I. 1 .29 (A.D. 153), and more particularly verify, check an account, as in the signatures to a series of tax receipts P Tebt I. 100 .20 f. (B.C. 117 6) Δρεῦο̣ς ἐπηκλούθηκα ( l. ἐπηκολ ), Ἀκουσίλαος ἐπηκολούθηκα . This last usage throws an interesting side-light on [Mk] 16 .20 τοῦ κυρίον . . . τὸν λόγον βεβαιοῦντος διὰ τῶν ἐπακολουθούντων σημείων : the signs did not merely follow, they acted as a kind of authenticating signature to the word (cf. Milligan Documents , p. 78 f.). We need only cite further the usage in registration documents, e. g. P Oxy II. 244 .9 (A.D. 23) τοὺς ἐπακολουθ (οῦντας ) ἄρνας [κ ]αὶ ἐρίφους , the lambs and kids that may be produced (Edd.), ib. 245 .11 (A.D. 26). See also the important discussion on the verb in Wilcken Ostr i. pp. 76 f., 640, and cf. Archiv ii. p. 103, iii. p. 14. In P Oxy VI. 909 .4 (A.D. 225) the mother of certain minors is described as ἐπακολουθήτρια , a concurring party : cf. P Lips I. 9 .6 (A.D. 233) and see Chrest. II. i. p. 250 f. For the subst. ἐπακολούθησις cf. P Ryl II. 233 .14 (ii/A.D.) μηδὲν χωρὶς ἐπακολουθήσεως αὐτοῦ ἀγοράζεται , nothing is being bought without his cognizance (Edd.), P Oxy XII. 1473 .8 (A.D. 201) γ ]ράμματα ἐκδιδομένη τῆς ἐπακολουθήσεως τῷ Ὡρείωνι , delivering to Horion the documents of settlement (Edd.). Note the syncopated form which persists in MGr ἀκλουθῶ , and cf. P Tebt I. 100 .20 (quoted above) for its early date, B.C. 117&nd;16.
Liddell-Scott — Intermediate Greek Lexicon
ἐπακολουθέω fut. ήσω "to follow close upon, follow after", τινί Ar. , Plat. ;—absol., Thuc. , etc. "to pursue" as an enemy, id=Thuc. , etc. "to follow mentally", τῷ λόγῳ Plat. "to follow", i. e. "comply with", τοῖς πάθεσι Dem.
STEPBible — Tyndale Abridged Greek Lexicon
ἐπ-ακολουθέω, -ῶ
[in LXX (chiefly metaphorically) for אָחַר, הָלַךְ, etc. ;]
to follow after; in NT metaphorically; absol.: Mrk.16:20 (illustrated by use in verifying accounts; see MM, Exp., xiv; Milligan; NTD, 78); with dative of person(s), of sins, 1Ti.5:24 (cf. Ellic. and CGT, in l); τ. ἴχνεσιν, 1Pe.2:21; ἔργῳ ἀγαθῷ, 1Ti.5:10.†
(AS)
📖 In-Depth Word Study
Follow (1872) epakoloutheo
Follow (1872) (epakoloutheo from epi = upon or an intensifier + akoloutheo = to follow literally and also figuratively in a moral sense - see below) literally means to follow after, to follow upon or follow closely. To follow close upon. Literally to go along in someone's footsteps. The figurative meaning is to follow or imitate someone's life, living in the same way. Another nuance describes pursuing a matter (with devotion, dedication or attention) (as in 1Ti 5:10). Mark 16:20 refers to accompanying authenticating signs.
The root verb akoloutheo in the NT refers to being a disciple of Christ, which can include external following (Mt 8:19, Mk 10:28) but with the added idea of "a total commitment and in an exclusive relation to one who is recognized as not just a teacher but the Messiah. This discipleship brings participation in salvation (Mk 10:17, Lk 9:61, 62, Jn 8:12, Rev 14:4) but also in suffering (Mt 8:19, 20, Mk 8:34, Jn 12:25, 26)" (TDNTA)
In the present context, to follow is used figuratively to mean imitate Christ's example. Caleb, the godly OT saint gives us a wonderful illustration of what it means to follow in His steps...
Numbers 14:24 "But My servant Caleb, because he has had a different spirit and has followed (Lxx = epakoloutheo) Me fully, I will bring into the land which he entered, and his descendants shall take possession of it.
Comment: May his tribe increase! Amen
Moulton and Milligan add that...
From its original meaning “follow,” “follow after,” this verb came to be used in a number of closely related senses from iii/B.C. onwards. Thus it means “am personally present at,”
Epakoloutheo - 4x in 4v in NAS - Mark 16:20; 1Ti 5:10, 24; 1Pet 2:21. NAS = devoted herself(1), follow(1), follow after(1), followed(1).
Mark 16:20 And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them, and confirmed the word by the signs that followed. [And they promptly reported all these instructions to Peter and his companions. And after that, Jesus Himself sent out through them from east to west the sacred and imperishable proclamation of eternal salvation.
1 Timothy 5:10 having a reputation for good works; and if she has brought up children, if she has shown hospitality to strangers, if she has washed the saints' feet, if she has assisted those in distress, and if she has devoted (followed after) herself to every good work.
1 Timothy 5:24 The sins of some men are quite evident, going before them to judgment; for others, their sins follow after.
1 Peter 2:21 For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps,
Epakoloutheo - 14x in NAS - Lev 19:4, 31; 20:6; Num 14:24; Deut 12:30; Josh 6:8; 14:8f, 14; Esther 5:1; Job 26:3; 31:7; Pr 7:22; Isa 55:3
Leviticus 19:4 'Do not turn to (Lxx = epakoloutheo) idols or make for yourselves molten gods; I am the LORD your God.
Leviticus 19:31 'Do not turn to (Lxx = epakoloutheo) mediums or spiritists; do not seek them out to be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God.
Deuteronomy 12:30 beware that you are not ensnared to follow (Lxx = epakoloutheo) them, after they are destroyed before you, and that you do not inquire after their gods, saying, 'How do these nations serve their gods, that I also may do likewise?'
Job 31:7 "If my step has turned from the way, Or my heart followed (Lxx = epakoloutheo) my eyes, Or if any spot has stuck to my hands,
Proverbs 7:22 Suddenly he follows (Lxx = epakoloutheo) her As an ox goes to the slaughter, Or as one in fetters to the discipline of a fool,
Isaiah 55:3 "Incline your ear and come to (Lxx = epakoloutheo) Me. Listen, that you may live; And I will make an everlasting covenant with you, According to the faithful mercies shown to David.
Paul has an interesting use of this verb noting that...
The sins of some men are quite evident, going before them to judgment; for others, their sins (although hidden still) follow after (epakoloutheo). (1Ti 5:24)
Vincent explains that...
The compound verb implies close following. From writers and painters, the metaphor changes now to a guide.
Here Peter changes the metaphor from a writer (hupogrammos) to that of a guide.
IN HIS STEPS: tois ichnesin autou:
Literally "follow His steps" (No preposition for "in" in the Greek sentence)
Wuest makes a good point observing that...
Peter changes over easily from the idea of a child tracing over the writing of the writing-master to a Christian planting his feet in the foot-prints left by our Lord. In this context, these footprints are foot-prints of suffering. But the illustration holds good for our Lord’s entire life. Just as a child slowly, with painstaking effort and close application, follows the shape of the letters of his teacher and thus learns to write, so saints should with like painstaking effort and by close application, endeavor to be like the Lord Jesus in their own personal lives. Or, as a small child endeavors to walk in the footprints made by his father’s feet in the snow, so we are to follow in the path which our Lord took. The Greek word “follow” means literally “to take the same road” as someone else takes. We should walk the same road that Jesus walked, in short, be Christlike. (Wuest, K. S. Wuest's Word Studies from the Greek New Testament: Eerdmans or Logos)