Pronunciation Guide: ah-pay-LAY

Basic Definition

Strong’s G547: ἀπειλή (apeilē) refers to a serious threat, warning, or declaration of impending punishment. It carries the weight of authority behind the threat and implies the power and intention to carry out the warned consequences. This term often appears in contexts of spiritual opposition to God’s people and divine warnings of judgment.

Etymology and Morphology

• Noun (feminine)
• Classical Greek origin
• Primary usage in narrative and epistolary literature
• Related to the verb ἀπειλέω (apeileō)
• Common in contexts of authority and power dynamics

ἀπειλή Morphology:

• ἀπειλή (nominative singular) – a threat
• ἀπειλῆς (genitive singular) – of a threat
• ἀπειλῇ (dative singular) – with/by a threat
• ἀπειλήν (accusative singular) – threat (direct object)
• ἀπειλαί (nominative plural) – threats
• ἀπειλῶν (genitive plural) – of threats
• ἀπειλαῖς (dative plural) – with/by threats
• ἀπειλάς (accusative plural) – threats (direct object)

Origin & History

The term ἀπειλή has deep roots in classical Greek literature, where it frequently appeared in military and legal contexts. In works like Homer’s Iliad, it described the threats of warriors before battle. Thucydides employed it in his History of the Peloponnesian War to describe diplomatic threats between city-states.

In the Septuagint (LXX), ἀπειλή translates several Hebrew terms related to threats and warnings, particularly in prophetic literature. It appears notably in the Psalms and Prophets when describing both human threats against God’s people and divine warnings of judgment for disobedience.

The early church fathers, particularly Clement of Rome in his First Epistle to the Corinthians, used ἀπειλή when discussing persecution and the threats faced by early believers, showing continuity with its New Testament usage.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• A serious warning of impending consequences
• An authoritative declaration of punishment
• A threat backed by power and intention
• A stern admonition with implied consequences

ἀπειλή Translation Options:

• “Threat” – Most common translation, emphasizing the warning aspect
• “Threatening” – When used as a verbal noun, highlighting ongoing action
• “Menace” – Capturing the sense of looming danger
• “Warning” – Softened translation for pastoral contexts
• “Declaration of punishment” – Extended translation showing authority aspect

Biblical Usage

The first appearance of ἀπειλή in the New Testament occurs in Acts 4:17, where the Sanhedrin threatens the apostles to stop preaching in Jesus’ name. This usage sets a pattern for how the word is employed throughout Acts to describe opposition to the early church.

In the epistles, particularly Ephesians, the term takes on additional theological significance when discussing spiritual warfare and the opposition believers face. It also appears in contexts where believers are instructed how to respond to threats with faith and courage.

Significant occurrences include:

• “But that they spread no further among the people, let us strictly threaten [ἀπειλή] them” Acts 4:17
• “And being let go, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them with threats [ἀπειλάς]” Acts 4:23
• “Now, Lord, look on their threats [ἀπειλάς]” Acts 4:29
• “And masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening [ἀπειλήν]” Ephesians 6:9

Cultural Insights

In the first-century Roman world, threats were a common tool of social control and legal administration. The Roman system relied heavily on the threat of punishment to maintain order, and this cultural context illuminates why the early church faced such frequent threats from both Jewish and Roman authorities.

The Jewish legal system also recognized different categories of threats, distinguishing between empty threats (דִּבּוּר רֵיק – dibbur reik) and serious threats backed by authority (אַזְהָרָה – azharah). This distinction helps explain why the threats against the early church were taken so seriously – they came from authorities with real power to enforce their warnings.

Theological Significance

The use of ἀπειλή in Scripture reveals important truths about spiritual opposition and divine protection. When believers faced threats, their response was not to counter-threaten but to pray for boldness and trust in God’s sovereignty, as seen in the early church’s prayer in Acts 4:24-30.

The prohibition against masters threatening slaves in Ephesians 6:9 demonstrates how the gospel transforms power relationships. Those who understand God’s authority are called to exercise their own authority with grace rather than intimidation, reflecting the character of the Messiah Jesus.

This word also highlights the contrast between human threats and divine warnings. While human threats often stem from pride or fear, God’s warnings always flow from His love and desire for repentance and restoration.

Personal Application

Understanding ἀπειλή challenges us to examine our response to threats and opposition in our own lives. Like the early believers, we can bring our fears about threats to God in prayer, trusting His sovereign protection and asking for boldness to continue in faithful witness despite opposition.

The word also prompts us to consider how we use whatever authority we have been given. Are we prone to using threats to control others, or do we exercise authority with the grace and gentleness that reflects our Master’s character?

Related Words

• φόβος (phobos) – fear, terror, reverence – Often the intended result of threats, but can also be godly fear – See G5401
• ἐμβριμάομαι (embrimaomai) – to snort with anger, to warn sternly – A more emotionally charged term for warning – See G1690
• διαπειλέομαι (diapeileomai) – to threaten severely – An intensified form of threatening – See G1296
• ἐπιτιμάω (epitimaō) – to rebuke, warn – A related term focusing more on correction than punishment – See G2008

Did you Know?

• In modern Greek, ἀπειλή is still used today in legal contexts, particularly in criminal law where it refers to criminal threats or intimidation, showing remarkable consistency with its ancient usage.
• The root of ἀπειλή may be connected to the Indo-European root *pel-, meaning “to drive,” suggesting that threats were seen as a way to “drive” someone toward or away from certain actions.
• In ancient Greek military contexts, the plural form ἀπειλαί often referred specifically to pre-battle boasts and threats, which were considered a formal part of warfare and often recorded by historians.

Remember This

ἀπειλή reminds us that while human threats may be powerful, they ultimately bow before the sovereign authority of God, who transforms our response to opposition into opportunities for faithful witness.