We have already consider one word for threatening (apeileo), and we now come to another closely related one (apeile). As before, threatening is something the ungodly do.
In one place, the two words are used together, for straitly and for threatening. “But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name”(Acts 4:17). And when they had done so, the disciples spoke of it just a few verses later. “For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done. And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word”(Ac 4:28-29).
We can see the sinful frame of mind that Saul of Tarsus was in as he engaged in his attack on the fledgling Christian church. “And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem”(Ac 9:1-2). And of course later, this same man (now transformed) instructed Christians who were masters of slaves to make sure they did not attempt to govern them in this sinful way. “And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.(Eph 6:9). God’s people ought not to function with threats really at all.