G3877 παρακολουθέω (parakolouthéō)

Followed (3877) (parakoloutheo from para = near + akolouthéo to follow) means literally to follow closely or to accompany side by side. Parakoloutheo combines the idea of understanding with that of practicing perseveringly. Parakoloutheo is found 4 times in the NAS: Mk 16:17; Lk 1:3; 1Ti 4:6; 2Ti 3:10 Luke uses parakoloutheo to mean to follow closely in mind and so to investigate so as to attain knowledge. It indicates the mental tracing whereby one arrives at a knowledge of the matter. The perfect tense is used by Luke to emphasize the state reached after the investigation. it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning (Lk 1:3) In a sense Timothy was investigating Paul's teaching to see whether Paul's life matched his lips and to watch how he endured persecutions and sufferings. The verb pictures Timothy always at Paul's side, attending Paul wherever he went. Thayer adds that the verb means to "conform one's self to" so that ultimately a disciple is to become like his mentor. Parakoloutheo was actually a technical term used by philosophers to describe the relationship of a disciple to his teacher (studying with him in close quarters, carefully noting his life with a view to reproducing, etc). It includes the idea of following a teaching with concentrated attention so as to make the teaching part of one's being. Timothy conformed to Paul's belief and practice by paying special attention to his mentor. Paul is reminding Timothy "You were right by my side from the beginning." Barclay adds that parakoloutheo "means to follow a person physically, to stick by him through thick and thin, to be by his side in fair weather and in foul. It means to follow a person mentally, to attend diligently to his teaching, and fully to understand the meaning and the significance of what he says. It means to follow a person spiritually, not only to understand what he says, but also to carry out his ideas, and to be the kind of person that he wishes us to be." (The Daily Study Bible Online) Example is a living law, whose sway Men more than all the written laws obey The question for each of us to ask is who are we following closely? All of us tend to emulate those we admire, so the charge is for us to be very careful about who we choose to follow. We need to make sure by their teaching and their conduct that they are on the "the ancient paths, where the good way is" (Jer 6:16). Albert Barnes writes... "Perilous times" were to come, and Timothy might be expected to be called to pass through trials similar to those which Paul himself had experienced. In those times the remembrance of his example would be invaluable. (Ed: In other words, if he weathered the persecutions and sufferings victoriously in Christ, so too can I. Do you have a Paul that you can remember when the days become perilous?) Hall adds that "since we are more easily led by precedents than by precepts, the apostle propounds his own example for our imitation, wherein we have the lively pattern and portraiture of a faithful pastor, whose office it is not only to preach sound doctrine, but also to practice what he preacheth in his own life, that so he may be able to speak from the heart to the hearts of his people, and may not bring his food as birds do to their young ones — in their beaks, not in their breasts...Great is the power of the example of superiors......God hath set them before us as our copy to write by, and our pattern to live by, and we must answer not only for sinning against the light of the word, but against the light of good example also. It will be one day said, "You had such and such to go before you in paths of piety, and yet you would not follow. The faithful are called witnesses (Heb12:1-note ). Now if we walk contrary to their light they will witness against us, as Noah and Lot did against the sinners of their age; but if we walk answerable to their light they will witness for us. Their practice may comfort and confirm us in God’s way; they declare the possibility of obtaining such a grace, and make it thereby the more easy, when we have seen it done before us. If a man have a torch to light him in a dark and dangerous path, how glad is he: the godly shine like lights in the midst of a crooked generation (Php 2:15-note, Php 2:16-note), their life is a commentary on the Scripture" Now since the nature of man is apter to be guided by example then precept, therefore God hath prepared abundance of glorious examples for our imitation, and thus the saints that are now at rest and triumphant in glory, their lives are to be our looking-glasses to dress ourselves by, our compass to sail by, and our pillar of a cloud to walk" (2 Timothy 3 Commentary) This comment begs at least two questions: "What commentary did I write with my conduct this past week?" "What saint am I following that I might imitate their godly example?" A parallel idea is that the great truths of Scripture are as much "caught" as they are "taught", and this happens most readily as one follows a "man of God who is equipped for every good work" (2Ti 3:17-note) Parenthetically I might add that an often untapped resource of "godly mentors" to emulate can be readily found in the many excellent Christian biographies both in print and on the web (eg be challenged by the life of men like Adoniram Judson) (Click "Christian Biography") "A life once spent is irrevocable. It will remain to be contemplated through eternity...the same may be said of each day. When it is once past, it is gone forever. All the marks which we put upon it, it will exhibit forever...each day will not only be a witness of our conduct, but will affect our everlasting destiny....How shall we then wish to see each day marked with usefulness! It is too late to mend the days that are past. The future is in our power. Let us, then, each morning, resolve to send the day into eternity in such a garb as we shall wish it to wear forever. And at night let us reflect that one more day is irrevocably gone, indelibly marked." (Adoniram Judson) MacArthur notes that "In the Greek text, the definite article (Greek TE = English "THE") precedes each of the descriptive nouns in  verses 10  and  11 , grammatically connecting each to the possessive pronoun my and thereby giving it repeated emphasis. The idea is, "But you followed my teaching, [my] conduct, [my] purpose, and so on." Ray Pritchard discussing following godly leaders points out that... This principle is based on the truth that we become like the people we associate with. If we follow the ungodly, we will become like the ungodly. If we follow the arrogant, we are likely to become arrogant. If we follow those who follow Jesus, we are more likely to become like Jesus ourselves. In this case, Paul uses himself as an example, and says in effect, “Follow me as I follow Christ.” These are the marks of the godly people we should follow: 1. They have nothing to hide. “You know my way of life.” 2. They teach the truth. “You know my doctrine.” 3. They practice what they preach. “You know my faith, my love and my patience.” 4. They aren’t afraid of persecution. “You know my sufferings and my persecution.” (2 Timothy 3: Perilous Times) MY TEACHING: mou te didaskalia: (Lk 1:3; Php 2:22; 1Ti 4:6; 2Ti3:16,17; 4:3; Ac 2:42; Ro 16:17; Ep 4:14; 1Ti 1:3; 4:12; 13 Titus 2:7; He13:9; 2Jn 1:9, 10) The last part of this chapter suggests three very practical "growth/survival strategies" for these perilous, difficult, deceptive and dangerous "last days" in which we live... Follow Godly Leaders 2Ti 3:10, 11,12, 13 Continue in What You Have Learned 2Ti 3:14, 15 Let the Word of God Make You Complete 2 Ti 3:16, 17