Lexical Summary ekteleó: To complete, to accomplish, to finish, to carry out fully. Original Word: ἐκτελέω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance finish. From ek and teleo; to complete fully -- finish. see GREEK ek see GREEK teleo HELPS Word-studies 1615 ekteléō (from 1537 /ek, "wholly out," intensifying 5055 /teléō, "to complete, finish") – properly, finish out, i.e. completely, to the end (outcome). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom ek and teleó Definition to complete fully NASB Translation finish (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1615: ἐκτελέωἐκτελέω, ἐκτέλω: 1 aorist infinitive ἐκτελέσαι; to finish, complete: Luke 14:29f (From Homer down; equivalent to כִּלָּה, Deuteronomy 32:45.) Topical Lexicon Root and Semantic Field ἐκτελέω (ekteléō) unites two concepts—ἐκ (“out, full”) and τελέω (“bring to completion”)—yielding the idea of carrying a task through to its intended end. While the New Testament preserves only two occurrences, classical usage ranges from military orders executed to sacrifices fully performed, painting a picture of deliberate, unbroken follow-through. New Testament Usage Luke 14:29–30 contains both attestations, embedded in Jesus’ parable about constructing a tower: “Otherwise, if he lays the foundation and is unable to finish, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, ‘This man could not finish what he started to build.’” (Luke 14:29–30) Here ἐκτελέω conveys more than mechanical completion; it highlights the shame of an unfulfilled commitment. Jesus applies the image to discipleship: following Him demands sober calculation so that the believer may bring the journey of faith to full fruition rather than abandon it midway. Septuagint and Jewish Background Though absent from the Hebrew canon, ἐκτελέω appears in the Septuagint to describe: • Carrying out the Passover in exact accordance with divine instruction (Exodus 12:50 LXX). In both scenes divine worship depends on meticulous completion, underscoring a principle later echoed by Christ: obedience is measured not only by good beginnings but by faithful endings. Theological Significance 1. Divine Pattern of Completion. Scripture consistently portrays God as One who completes what He begins (Philippians 1:6). Human imitation of that pattern—embodied in ἐκτελέω—becomes a mark of authentic discipleship. Practical Ministry Applications • Discipleship Counseling—Encourage inquirers to weigh relational, financial, and social repercussions before baptism, fostering durable faith. Illustrations in Church History Polycarp’s martyrdom exemplifies ἐκτελέω: at age eighty-six he refused to recant, declaring, “I have served Christ and He has done me no wrong.” Likewise, William Carey labored decades before seeing India’s first converts, yet his motto remained “Expect great things; attempt great things,” mirroring unwavering resolve to complete the task. Related Scriptures John 17:4; John 19:30; Acts 20:24; Galatians 3:3; Hebrews 12:2; James 1:4; Revelation 3:2. Conclusion While the lexeme ἐκτελέω surfaces but twice in the Greek New Testament, its force reverberates throughout biblical theology: God is a Finisher, and His people are called to mirror that character. The disciple who begins must also complete, trusting divine grace to empower every step from foundation to final stone. Forms and Transliterations εκτελεσαι εκτελέσαι ἐκτελέσαι εκτεμείν εξετέλεσε πάντες ektelesai ektelésai pantesLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Luke 14:29 V-ANAGRK: μὴ ἰσχύοντος ἐκτελέσαι πάντες οἱ NAS: and is not able to finish, all KJV: able to finish [it], all INT: not being able to finish all who Luke 14:30 V-ANA |
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