ἐξᾰκολουθέω G1811
to follow after, pursue; continued allegiance or imitation of a person or teaching
The compound verb ἐξακολουθέω (ἐκ + ἀκολουθέω 'follow') means to follow out, follow after, or pursue—suggesting both physical following and metaphorical adherence to teachings or example. In 2 Peter it describes both positive following (the apostolic eyewitness account) and negative (destructive heresies, Balaam's way). The prefix ἐκ intensifies the sense—following all the way out, pursuing to the end, not casual association but committed adherence.
Senses
1. sense 1 — Second Peter 1:16 defends apostolic authority: 'For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses'—they followed actual events, not fabrications. Second Peter 2:2 warns: 'And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed'—people pursuing false teachers' licentiousness. Verse 2:15 condemns those who 'have followed the way of Balaam...who loved gain from wrongdoing'—pursuing mercenary prophetic corruption. The German (nachfolgen 'follow after') captures the sense clearly. The verb describes committed following—whether of apostolic truth or destructive error. Peter's usage creates moral urgency: whom and what we follow defines spiritual trajectory. 3×
AR["سَيَتبَعونَ", "مُتَّبِعينَ"]·ben["অনুসরণ-করবে", "অনুসরণ-করে"]·DE["nachfolgen"]·EN["having-followed", "will-follow"]·FR["ἐξακολουθήσαντες", "ἐξακολουθήσουσιν"]·heb["הָלְכוּ-אַחֲרֵי", "יֵלְכוּ-אַחֲרֵי", "שֶׁהָלַכְנוּ-אַחֲרֵיהֶן"]·HI["अनुसरण-करके", "अनुसरण-करेंगे", "का-अनुसरण-करके"]·ID["akan-mengikuti", "mengikuti", "mengikuti,"]·IT["exakolouthēsantes", "exakolouthēsousin"]·jav["badhé-ndèrèk", "ndèrèk", "ndèrèk,"]·KO["따라,", "따르리라", "따른-자들"]·PT["seguirão", "tendo-seguido"]·RU["последовавшие", "последуют"]·ES["habiendo-seguido", "seguirán"]·SW["tukifuata", "wakifuata", "watafuata"]·TR["izleyecek", "izleyerek"]·urd["پیروی-کرتے-ہوئے", "پیروی-کرتے-ہوئے،", "پیروی-کریں-گے"]
Related Senses
H0935 1. come, arrive (Qal) (2413×)G1473 1. first person singular pronoun (2084×)H3318 1. Qal: go out, depart, come forth (891×)H7725 1. to return, come/go back (Qal) (874×)H5927 1. go up, ascend (Qal) (779×)H7971 1. to send, dispatch (Qal) (701×)G2064 1. come / arrive (physical movement toward) (588×)H5307 1. Qal: fall down physically (339×)H5375 1. Qal: to lift up, raise (330×)H5975 1. to stand, stand up (310×)H5674a 1. Qal: pass by, pass through (256×)H3381 1. Qal: to go down, descend (physical movement) (242×)G1831 1. go/come out physically (193×)H5337 1. deliver, rescue, save (Hifil) (188×)H7901 1. lie down, rest, sleep (183×)G1525 1. enter a place physically (179×)H7812 1. prostrate oneself, bow down, worship (173×)H3318 2. Hifil: bring out, lead out, take out (persons) (172×)H7725 2. to bring back, restore (Hifil) (151×)H5674a 2. Qal: cross over (134×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
ἐξᾰκολουθέω, follow, of persons, τοῖς φίλοις NT+2nd c.BC+ __2 of things, follow, result from, with dative, Refs 4th c.BC+; attend, with dative, εὔνοια, φήμη ἐ. τινί, Refs 2nd c.BC+; especially of penalties, ἐ. πρόστιμά τισι Refs 2nd c.BC+; also of obligations, fall on one, Refs __3 absolutely, follow, result, Refs 3rd c.BC+; also of logical consequences, πάντα ταῦτα ἐ. Refs 2nd c.AD+