A compound Greek verb meaning to follow after, to attend, to accompany closely. The prefix epa- intensifies the following aspect of akoloutheo. Used in Mark 16:20 for signs following the proclamation, in 1 Timothy 5:10,24 for the deeds that follow a life well lived, and in 1 Peter 2:21 for following Christ's example.
Peter's use of epakoloutheo in the suffering servant passage (1 Peter 2:21) is profound: Christ left an example that we should follow in His steps. The disciple's life is one of constant following — not merely imitating from a distance but walking the same path. The signs that followed the apostolic proclamation (Mark 16:20) demonstrate that the gospel is self-authenticating: God Himself attends and confirms His word. Good deeds, likewise, follow a life of faith as evidence that accompanies testimony — not earning salvation but bearing witness to it.