Prayer Under Threat: Literary and Theological Context of Acts 4:29
Acts 4:29 — καὶ τὰ νῦν, Κύριε, ἔπιδε ἐπὶ τὰς ἀπειλὰς αὐτῶν, καὶ δὸς τοῖς δούλοις σου μετὰ παρρησίας πάσης λαλεῖν τὸν λόγον σου
(“And now, Lord, look upon their threats, and grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness.”)
This verse is part of the early church’s corporate prayer after Peter and John’s release from the Sanhedrin (Acts 4:23–31). The community does not pray for the threats to be removed, but for boldness to proclaim the word in the midst of opposition. The grammar—marked by imperatives of request, dative constructions, and adverbial phrases—reinforces the posture of humble petition combined with theological courage. Syntax becomes the medium through which dependence and daring are simultaneously expressed.
Grammatical Feature Analysis: Imperatives, Dative of Indirect Object, and Instrumental Manner
The prayer begins with the adverbial phrase τὰ νῦν (“and now”), focusing the petition on the present situation. It is immediately followed by two imperatives:
- ἔπιδε — aorist active imperative 2nd person singular of ἐπιβλέπω (“to look upon, regard”). The preposition ἐπὶ plus accusative τὰς ἀπειλὰς αὐτῶν (“their threats”) specifies what God is asked to regard. The aorist form requests immediate, decisive action.
- δὸς — aorist active imperative 2nd person singular of δίδωμι (“to give, grant”). The indirect object is τοῖς δούλοις σου (“to your servants”), a humble self-designation reflecting complete submission to God’s authority.
The content of the second imperative is the infinitive construction:
μετὰ παρρησίας πάσης λαλεῖν τὸν λόγον σου
(“to speak your word with all boldness”).
The preposition μετὰ plus the genitive παρρησίας πάσης (“with all boldness”) expresses manner. The infinitive λαλεῖν (“to speak”) is complementary to δὸς, specifying what they seek to be enabled to do: continue proclaiming the divine word without fear.
Exegetical Implications of the Aorist Imperatives and Instrumental Language
The double use of the aorist imperative (ἔπιδε, δὸς) reflects urgent, reverent appeal for God’s sovereign intervention. They do not ask for judgment on the Sanhedrin nor removal of suffering but for the positive enablement to fulfill their mission.
The phrase μετὰ παρρησίας πάσης heightens the emphasis on fearlessness. Παρρησία denotes not just boldness but unreserved public speaking, openness without concealment. The genitive πάσης (“all”) intensifies the idea: complete, unmitigated boldness is sought.
That the object of this bold speech is τὸν λόγον σου (“your word”) indicates a commitment to divine message rather than human agendas. The focus remains strictly on God’s revelation and not personal vindication.
Cross-Linguistic Comparisons and Historical Context
In Classical and Koine Greek, the aorist imperative often implies action that should be performed decisively and completely. In prayers, aorist imperatives frequently express urgent and respectful requests for divine intervention (cf. LXX Psalms).
The term παρρησία was a prized virtue in Greek democracy, associated with the freedom of speech in the public assembly. In Christian usage, it takes on theological depth: it is the Spirit-enabled courage to proclaim Christ regardless of worldly consequences (cf. Eph. 6:19–20).
Theological and Literary Significance of Boldness in Mission
Theologically, Acts 4:29 encapsulates the early church’s understanding that mission requires divine empowerment. Courage is not natural but granted. The community’s grammar of prayer reflects profound trust: they seek not safety but faithfulness.
Literarily, the two imperatives, the double noun (threats vs. word), and the careful balance of humility (“servants”) with boldness (“speak with all boldness”) create a rhythmic, almost liturgical petition. The syntax enacts the very dynamic it seeks: humble boldness, dependence and daring, prayer and proclamation.
Boldness to Speak: Grammar as Prayer for Empowerment
Acts 4:29 transforms grammar into a theological statement: urgent imperative, careful dative, and instrumental genitive join to express a plea that the church would not retreat but advance. The prayer does not seek earthly ease but heavenly strength.
Thus, in a few carefully ordered words, the grammar itself embodies the church’s theology: facing threats, looking to God, and speaking boldly no matter what.
