Lexical Summary mimeomai: To imitate, to follow, to mimic Original Word: μιμέομαι Strong's Exhaustive Concordance follow. Middle voice from mimos (a "mimic"); to imitate -- follow. HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 3401 miméomai – to imitate, emulating a mentor or example. See 3402 (mimētēs). [The high level of personal (self) interest motivating 3402 (mimētḗs) accounts for why it is always in the Greek middle voice.] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom mimos (a mimic) Definition to imitate NASB Translation follow...example (2), imitate (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3401: μιμέομαιμιμέομαι, μιμοῦμαι; (μῖμος (an actor, mimic)); to imitate: τινα, anyone, 2 Thessalonians 3:7, 9; τί, Hebrews 13:7; 3 John 1:11. (Pindar, Aeschylus, Herodotus, others.) Topical Lexicon Overview Strong’s Greek 3401 (μιμέομαι) expresses deliberate, conscious imitation of a pattern judged worthy of reproduction. In Scripture the pattern is always godly: apostolic conduct, shepherd-like leadership, or behavior manifesting divine goodness. Imitation is therefore a means by which faith moves from doctrine to practiced holiness within the community of believers. New Testament Usage • 2 Thessalonians 3:7 – “For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, for we were not undisciplined among you.” These four texts span Pauline correspondence, a catholic epistle, and a Johannine letter, revealing a consistent, Spirit-guided ethic: believers mature by copying authentic, Christ-like models while rejecting corrupt examples. Imitation in Paul’s Thought Paul links imitation with apostolic labor and economic self-restraint (2 Thessalonians 3:7-9). He voluntarily forfeits material support to model diligence, thereby transforming imitation into a pastoral tool that protects the church from idleness and reinforces the dignity of work (compare 1 Thessalonians 1:6; 1 Corinthians 11:1). His use of first-person plural (“us”) stresses communal modeling rather than celebrity followings. Community Ethics and Spiritual Formation Hebrews 13:7 widens the scope from apostolic prototypes to local leaders. The call is anchored in the leaders’ past proclamation (“who spoke the word of God to you”) and in the observable outcome of their lives (“the outcome of their way of life”). Imitation thus safeguards orthodoxy and orthopraxy: teaching is evaluated by life, and life is reproduced by teaching. Discernment and Moral Clarity 3 John 1:11 introduces a negative counterpart: imitation must be discriminating. The believer is commanded to avoid mimicking evil, implicitly acknowledging that examples abound but must be sifted through a biblical lens. The verse affirms a moral test (“the one who does good is of God”) rooted in regeneration, not mere external conformity. Wider Biblical Witness Though 3401 is limited to four verses, the noun μιμητής (imitator) reinforces the theme (e.g., Ephesians 5:1, “Be imitators of God, therefore, as beloved children”). The Old Testament supplies antecedents in calls to “walk in His ways” (Deuteronomy 10:12) and to “be holy, for I am holy” (Leviticus 19:2). Together these texts frame imitation as covenantal loyalty. Greco-Roman Background In the Hellenistic world μιμεῖσθαι described rhetorical and philosophical apprenticeship. Early Christian writers adopt the term but redirect its focus from human virtuosity to cruciform living. Where pagan moralists prized self-mastery, the apostles elevate self-giving love patterned after Christ’s humility (Philippians 2:5-8). Historical Reception Ignatius urged believers to “imitate the Lord” in patience (Letter to Polycarp 2.2). Clement of Alexandria spoke of the church as a “school of Christ,” where disciples echo the Master’s life. The Reformers reclaimed the principle against clerical excess, teaching that ministers must be “patterns to the flock” (compare 1 Peter 5:3). Ministry Implications 1. Mentoring: Identify reproducible models whose doctrine and life align. Warnings and Balance Apostolic imitation never eclipses direct submission to Christ (Matthew 23:10). Unthinking mimicry courts legalism; selective imitation fosters factionalism. The remedy is constant return to the written Word, by which all models are tested. Summary Strong’s 3401 calls believers to an intentional, discerning replication of Christ-centered examples. It embeds sanctification within relationships and sets before every generation the dual challenge: “Imitate what is good” and “be an example to others,” until the church collectively “attains to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:13). Forms and Transliterations μιμεισθαι μιμείσθαι μιμεῖσθαι μιμεισθε μιμείσθε μιμεῖσθε μιμου μιμού μιμοῦ mimeisthai mimeîsthai mimeisthe mimeîsthe mimou mimoûLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Thessalonians 3:7 V-PNM/PGRK: πῶς δεῖ μιμεῖσθαι ἡμᾶς ὅτι NAS: you ought to follow our example, because KJV: how ye ought to follow us: for INT: how it behoves [you] to imitate us because 2 Thessalonians 3:9 V-PNM/P Hebrews 13:7 V-PMM/P-2P 3 John 1:11 V-PMM/P-2S Strong's Greek 3401 |
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