Brief Overview of προσαπειλέω (Strong’s G4324: prosapeileō)

Strong’s G4324: A compound verb combining pros (in addition) with apeileō (to threaten), meaning “to threaten further, to add threats.” Used in Acts to describe intensified opposition to the early church, particularly from religious authorities attempting to suppress the proclamation of the gospel.

U- Unveiling the Word

Προσαπειλέω embodies the concept of adding or intensifying threats, particularly in contexts of opposition to the gospel message. In Acts, it appears during the early church’s first encounter with serious persecution, where religious authorities attempted to silence the apostles’ witness. The compound nature of the word emphasizes the escalation of threats, suggesting a progression from initial warnings to more severe intimidation. Early church writers often used this term to describe the increasing persecution faced by believers, while also highlighting their steadfast faith despite such threats. Today, it serves as a powerful reminder of both the opposition the gospel may face and the courage required in faithful witness.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: προσαπειλέω, prosapeileō, pros-ap-i-LEH-oh
• Pronunciation: Emphasis on ‘LEH’, with ‘pros’ and ‘ap’ quickly spoken, ‘oh’ unstressed
• Part of Speech: Verb

Etymology:

• πρός (pros) – prefix meaning “in addition, further”
• ἀπειλέω (apeileō) – root verb meaning “to threaten”
  The combination indicates additional or intensified threatening.

D – Defining Meanings

• To threaten further
• To add threats
• To intensify threatening

For compound words:
The prefix πρός adds the notion of additional action, while ἀπειλέω provides the basic meaning of threatening. Together, they create the concept of escalating or adding to existing threats.

Translation Options:

• “to threaten further” – emphasizes the ongoing nature of the threats
• “to add threats” – highlights the accumulation of threats
• “to intensify threats” – captures the escalating severity

E – Exploring Similar Words

• ἀπειλέω (apeileō, ap-i-LEH-oh) – to threaten, without the additional aspect
  See G546
• ἐμβριμάομαι (embrimaomai, em-brim-AH-om-ahee) – to warn sternly
  See G1690
• διαπειλέομαι (diapeileomai, dee-ap-i-LEH-om-ahee) – to threaten severely
  See G1243

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

As a verb, προσαπειλέω exhibits these morphological features:

• Tense: Aorist
• Voice: Middle/Passive Deponent
• Mood: Participle
• Person: 3rd
• Number: Plural
• Aspect: Punctiliar

The aorist participle suggests a specific instance of threatening, while the deponent form indicates that though middle/passive in form, it has an active meaning.

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes its use in contexts of escalating opposition. Thayer’s notes the intensifying force of the prefix. LSJ provides evidence of its use in legal threats and warnings. Vine’s connects it to patterns of persecution in Acts. Strong’s highlights the compound nature affecting the intensity. LEH notes its use in contexts of official warnings. Moulton and Milligan cite papyri evidence of its use in legal threatening.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
And when they had further [προσαπειλησάμενοι] threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened. Acts 4:21

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

Προσαπειλέω powerfully illustrates the opposition faced by the early church and the courage of believers in the face of escalating threats. Yet it also reveals how the gospel’s power transcends human intimidation. The good news is that just as the early church remained faithful despite threats, Christ continues to empower His people to stand firm in witness, knowing that His authority supersedes all earthly opposition.

D – Did You Know?

1. The word appears uniquely in Acts 4:21, marking the first recorded instance of official threats against the early church
2. It was commonly used in legal documents for escalating warnings before punishment
3. The compound structure suggests a formal and official nature to the threats, indicating institutional opposition

Strong’s G4324: A compound verb combining pros (in addition) with apeileō (to threaten), meaning “to threaten further, to add threats.” Used in Acts to describe intensified opposition to the early church, particularly from religious authorities attempting to suppress the proclamation of the gospel.

Part of speech: Verb

Tags: persecution, threats, opposition, early-church, Acts, religious-authorities, witness, courage, compound-verb, legal-terms, apostolic-age, persecution-resistance, gospel-proclamation, church-history, martyrdom​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​