μῑμ-ητής G3402
Imitator; one who follows the example or pattern of another, especially in faith and conduct.
Mimetes calls believers to active emulation of worthy models. Paul boldly urges the Corinthians to 'be imitators of me' (1 Corinthians 4:16), then clarifies the chain: 'Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ' (1 Corinthians 11:1). The concept extends upward to God himself in Ephesians 5:1, where believers are called to imitate God as beloved children. The Thessalonians became imitators of both the apostles and the Lord through their joyful reception of the word amid suffering (1 Thessalonians 1:6), and of the Judean churches in enduring persecution (1 Thessalonians 2:14). The word carries the force of intentional, devoted patterning of one's life.
Senses
1. imitators — One who deliberately follows and reproduces the example, conduct, or pattern of another. Paul uses this term to establish chains of imitation: believers imitate Paul, who imitates Christ (1 Cor 4:16; 11:1), and ultimately imitate God himself (Eph 5:1). The Thessalonians are praised for becoming imitators of the apostles and the Lord by receiving the word with joy despite affliction (1 Thess 1:6) and of the Judean churches by enduring similar persecution (1 Thess 2:14). Hebrews 6:12 extends the concept to imitating those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. Spanish 'imitadores,' French 'imitateur,' and German 'Nachahmer' all preserve the active, intentional quality of the Greek, emphasizing that this is not passive resemblance but purposeful emulation. 6×
AR["مُقَلِّدينَ", "مُقْتَدينَ"]·ben["অনুকরণকারী", "অনুকারক", "অনুকারী"]·DE["Nachahmer"]·EN["imitators"]·FR["Nachahmer", "imitateur"]·heb["מְחַקִּים"]·HI["अनुकअरक", "अनुकरण-करने-वाले", "अनुकरणकर्ता", "अनुकरतअ", "अनुकर्ता"]·ID["peniru", "peniru-peniru"]·IT["imitatore", "mimētai"]·jav["ingkang-niru", "nulad", "paniru", "peniru"]·KO["본받는-자들", "본받는-자들-이", "본받는-자들이"]·PT["Imitadores", "imitadores"]·RU["Подражателями", "подражателями"]·ES["Imitadores", "imitadores"]·SW["wa", "waigaji"]·TR["taklidçileri", "taklit-edenler", "taklitciler", "taklitçileri"]·urd["نقل-کرنے-والے", "پیرو", "پیروکار"]
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
μῑμ-ητής, οῦ, ὁ, imitator, τινωνNT+5th c.BC+; οἱ μ. τῶν γραμμάτων forgers, Refs 4th c.AD+ __II artist Refs 5th c.BC+; especially one who impersonates characters, as an actor or poet, Refs 4th c.BC+ __II.2 coupled with γόης, mere actor, impostor, Refs 5th c.BC+