The Sin of Threatening

The word apeileo means to threaten, and is used twice in the New Testament. In both instances it is cited as a sinful kind of behavior. When the Jewish leaders were trying to shut down the apostles early in the book of Acts, one of the means they tried was that of threats. “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 Jesus, when He was being abused by the religious authorities, refused to respond to them in kind. “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously” (1 Pet. 2:21-23).