ἐκτελέω (ekteleō)
ekteleō
to finish up
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb ektelō means to bring something to a final end or to complete it fully. It is not merely starting a task but seeing it through to its conclusion. In the New Testament, this word appears only twice, both in the Gospel of Luke, giving it a focused presence in Jesus’ teaching.
Its meaning comes from combining ek ("out") and telō ("to finish"). The sources highlight its use in Luke 14:29-30, where Jesus asks who would build a tower without first calculating if he has enough to complete it. Here, ektelō describes the practical necessity of finishing what one begins, emphasizing thoroughness over half-hearted effort.
Translators often render it as "finish" or "complete." This captures the sense of finality and integrity in action. The word suggests that true completion requires seeing a project through to its natural end, rather than abandoning it midway. It stands as a reminder of the value of perseverance in daily tasks.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word ektelō reminds us that true completion requires seeing a task through to its natural end. Jesus used this concept in Luke 14:29-30 to illustrate the importance of counting the cost before starting something new. It is not just about beginning well, but about having the perseverance to finish what you start.
When we face challenges in our daily lives, this word encourages us to look beyond the initial excitement and focus on the final outcome. Whether it is a project at work or a commitment in your personal life, ektelō calls for thoroughness and integrity. It invites us to trust that God provides the strength needed to bring things to their intended conclusion.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- to finish.1×
- to finish1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐκτελέσαι.1×
- ἐκτελέσαι1×
Key Verses
-
Luke 14:29
Or perhaps, when he has laid a foundation and isn’t able to finish, everyone who sees begins to mock him,
This verse highlights the practical consequence of failing to finish, showing how incomplete efforts lead to ridicule and wasted resources.
-
Luke 14:30
saying, ‘This man began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’
Here the word emphasizes the public shame associated with starting a task but lacking the ability or will to complete it.