ἀπειλή (apeilē)

apeilē

threat

G0547 · Greek · New Testament · 4 verses

Language: Koine Greek
Testament: New Testament
Occurrences: 4 verses
Root: —

Word Overview

The noun apeilē denotes a threat or an act of intimidation. In the New Testament, it appears only four times, primarily in Acts and Ephesians. The word captures the forceful intent behind spoken warnings, reflecting a serious challenge to safety or authority rather than a casual remark.

In Acts 4:29, believers pray for boldness to speak God’s word despite the apeilē of their opponents. This usage highlights how threats were used as tools of coercion against early Christians. Similarly, in Ephesians 6:9, masters are warned not to threaten their slaves, recognizing that both parties share a common Lord in heaven.

The term derives from the verb apeileō, meaning to speak against or threaten. Its limited occurrence underscores its specific role in describing hostile speech intended to silence or control. Translators consistently render it as "threat," preserving the directness of the original Greek warning.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The Greek word for threat, apeilē, appears rarely in Scripture, yet its presence marks moments where fear tries to silence truth. In Acts 4:29, the early church faced real intimidation from religious leaders but responded not with violence but with prayer. They asked God to help them speak boldly despite the danger. This shows that threats lose their power when we anchor our courage in God’s presence rather than our own strength.

Paul also addresses this dynamic in Ephesians 6:9, urging masters to abandon threatening behavior toward those they lead. He reminds us that every person stands equally before a Lord who shows no partiality. When we recognize that ultimate authority belongs to God, we are freed from the need to control others through fear. Instead, we can choose kindness and respect, reflecting the character of Christ in our daily interactions.

Understanding this word invites us to examine where fear might be influencing our words or actions. It challenges us to replace intimidation with grace, trusting that God’s truth does not require coercion to prevail. In a world often marked by pressure and threats, we are called to stand firm in faith while extending mercy to others.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.

threats3×
threatening,1×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

ἀπειλῆς1×
ἀπειλῇ1×
ἀπειλήν,1×
ἀπειλὰς1×

Key Verses

Acts 4:29
Now, Lord, look at their threats, and grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness,

This verse shows believers responding to threats not with retaliation but with a prayer for boldness, highlighting the word's role in describing opposition to God's message.
Ephesians 6:9
You masters, do the same things to them, and give up threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with him.

Here Paul commands masters to stop threatening slaves, grounding ethical conduct in the reality of God’s impartial judgment from heaven.
Acts 9:1
But Saul, still breathing threats and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest

Saul is described as breathing threats, illustrating how this word captures the intense hostility directed against early Christians before his conversion.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Greek word apeilē mean?

Apeilē translates to 'threat' and refers to a serious warning or act of intimidation intended to coerce or silence someone. It appears only four times in the New Testament, always carrying a sense of hostile intent rather than casual speech.

Where does apeilē appear in the Bible?

It occurs in Acts 4:17, Acts 4:29, Acts 9:1, and Ephesians 6:9. In Acts, it describes opposition from religious leaders against the apostles, while in Ephesians, Paul advises masters to avoid using threats against their slaves.

How is apeilē different from general warnings?

Unlike neutral advice or gentle correction, apeilē implies a forceful challenge meant to intimidate or control. It reflects a serious attempt to suppress speech or action through fear, particularly seen in the persecution of early Christians.

Every Occurrence (4 verses across 2 books)

Acts 3 verses

Acts 4:17

But so that this spreads no further among the people, let’s threaten them, that from now on they don’t speak to anyone…

Acts 4:29

Now, Lord, look at their threats, and grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness,

Acts 9:1

But Saul, still breathing threats and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest

Ephesians 1 verse