ἀπάτη (apatē)
apatē
deceit
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 7 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun apatē refers to deceit or the quality of being deceptive. In the New Testament, it describes a fundamental distortion of truth that leads people astray. It is not merely a lie told in passing, but a pervasive condition of falsehood that warps one’s understanding of reality.
Its usage often links deceit to specific negative forces. For instance, Jesus identifies "the deceitfulness of wealth" as a danger that chokes spiritual growth (Matthew 13:22; Mark 4:19). Paul warns believers against being captivated by "the deceit of sin" (Hebrews 3:13) and describes the old self as corrupted by such deceitful desires (Ephesians 4:22). In 2 Thessalonians, it characterizes the power of lawlessness that deceives those who reject the truth (2 Thessalonians 2:10).
Derived from the verb apatō, meaning to deceive, the word carries a sense of active delusion. It highlights how falsehood can become a trap, influencing thoughts and actions until one is ensnared by what is not real. The sources emphasize that this deceitfulness is a serious spiritual threat, requiring vigilance and adherence to truth.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word apatē describes a deep-rooted deception that warps our perception of reality. It is not simply an occasional lie, but a pervasive condition that distorts truth and leads us astray. This deceit often operates subtly, influencing our thoughts and actions until we are ensnared by what is not real.
In your daily life, this might appear as the deceptive allure of wealth or the hardening influence of sin. Jesus warned that the deceitfulness of riches can choke spiritual growth, while Paul urged believers to put off the old self corrupted by such desires. Recognising these traps helps you guard your heart against forces that seek to lead you away from truth.
Understanding apatē invites you to live with greater vigilance and dependence on God's word. It reminds us that truth is not just an idea, but a person in Christ who sets us free. By anchoring your life in His reality, you can resist the subtle pulls of falsehood and walk in the light of genuine faith.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 7 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- deceit4×
- of deceit,1×
- deceptions1×
- by [the] deceitfulness1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀπάτῃ2×
- ἀπάτη2×
- ἀπάτης,1×
- ἀπάτης1×
- ἀπάταις1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 13:22
What was sown among the thorns, this is he who hears the word, but the cares of this age and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.
This verse illustrates how the deceitfulness of riches actively chokes spiritual growth, showing that material concerns can distort one's priorities and hinder fruitfulness.
-
Hebrews 3:13
but exhort one another day by day, so long as it is called “today”, lest any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
Here apatē is linked to sin's ability to harden the heart, emphasising the need for daily encouragement among believers to resist this subtle deception.
-
Ephesians 4:22
that you put away, as concerning your former way of life, the old man that grows corrupt after the lusts of deceit,
The word describes the corrupting nature of the old self, highlighting that deceitful desires are intrinsic to the pre-conversion way of life that must be put away.