“And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,”
Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. — the petition (deomai, beseech, pray, appeal) is not for safety from threats but for boldness (parrēsia, frank speech, fearlessness, boldness) in proclamation. The threats (apeilē, threats, threatening) are acknowledged but become reason for greater courage. The apostles ask God to empower them to overcome fear through Spirit-given boldness.
Church Fathers on Acts 4:29
there were gathered together in this city, against Your holy Child Jesus, (Παἵδα) Whom You have anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, for to do whatsoever Your hand and Your counsel determined before to be done. And now, Lord, behold their threatenings. Acts 4:27-29 Observe their largeness of mind (φιλοσοφίαν). These are not words of imprecation. In saying, their threatenings, they do not mean this or that thing…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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