The Greek verb exakoloutheo means to follow closely, to follow out to the end, to comply with, or to imitate. The prefix ex- (out, completely) intensifies akoloutheo (to follow), suggesting thorough, persistent following.
Exakoloutheo appears three times in 2 Peter (1:16; 2:2, 15), each with moral and theological weight. In 1:16, Peter contrasts 'cleverly devised myths' with the real apostolic witness — 'we did not follow such myths.' In 2:2, many will 'follow' the destructive ways of false teachers. In 2:15, false prophets have 'followed the way of Balaam.' The word thus frames a central New Testament question: what path, what voice, what way are you following out to its full conclusion? Following the apostolic word leads to 'all things that pertain to life and godliness' (2 Peter 1:3); following clever myths leads to destruction. Discipleship is about the full arc of following — not partial compliance but complete adherence.