μιμητής (mimētēs)
mimētēs
imitator
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 6 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun mimētēs refers to an imitator or follower who actively models their life after a specific example. In the New Testament, this term carries a consistently positive sense, describing believers who adopt the conduct and faith of others as a pattern for their own spiritual growth. It is not mere copying but a deliberate alignment of behavior with a trusted guide.
This word appears in six key passages, most notably in Paul’s letters to Thessalonians and Corinth, as well as in Hebrews. Paul invites the Corinthians to follow his example (1 Corinthians 4:16) and urges the Ephesians to imitate God (Ephesians 5:1). In Thessalonians, he highlights how believers became mimētai of both him and the Lord, enduring suffering with joy (1 Thessalonians 1:6; 2:14). Hebrews encourages readers to imitate those who, through faith and patience, inherit promises (Hebrews 6:12).
Unlike abstract admiration, mimētēs implies tangible action. The early Christian communities understood this as a practical discipline: learning from mature believers whose lives reflected Christ’s character. This concept remains central to Christian formation, where mentorship and example serve as vital tools for spiritual development.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word mimētēs invites us to look for real people whose lives show what faith looks like in practice. It is not about perfect performance, but about a steady direction. When you read that believers became imitators of the Lord while enduring affliction with joy, it shows that following Christ often happens alongside hardship. This perspective helps when your own path feels difficult or unclear.
You do not have to figure everything out alone. The early church understood this as a practical discipline: learning from mature believers whose lives reflected Christ’s character. Paul asks the Corinthians to follow him because he follows Christ, creating a chain of influence that points back to Jesus. This reminds us that spiritual growth is often communal.
Hebrews encourages you not to be sluggish, but to imitate those who through faith and perseverance inherited the promises. This offers hope when progress feels slow. By observing how others trust God over time, you gain strength for your own journey. May you find encouragement in the faithful examples around you and in the ultimate example of Christ.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 6 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- imitators5×
- Imitators1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- μιμηταὶ4×
- μιμηταί1×
- Μιμηταί1×
Key Verses
-
I Thessalonians 1:6
You became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit,
This verse shows that imitation involves receiving God's word with joy even during significant hardship, linking faith to resilience.
-
Ephesians 5:1
Be therefore imitators of God, as beloved children.
Here the call is direct and high-stakes: believers are to imitate God Himself as beloved children, grounding their identity in family relationship.
-
Hebrews 6:12
that you won’t be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and perseverance inherited the promises.
The author uses this term to urge perseverance against spiritual laziness by looking at those who have already inherited promises through faith.