Apate denotes deceptive influence that is attached to riches, sin, teaching, and unrighteous conduct.

The occurrences present deceptive influence as something associated with riches that chokes the word, sin that hardens, empty teaching that can take someone captive, and unrighteous conduct or desires.

1. Deceptive influence in harmful contexts · dominant

   In Matthew 13:22, the nominative singular form occurs in the clause where the APB renders “the deceit of riches” as choking the word; Mark 4:19 presents the same clause. Genitive and dative singular forms occur with “empty deceit” that may take someone captive in Colossians 2:8, “the desires of deceit” in Ephesians 4:22, and sin's hardening effect in Hebrews 3:13. In 2 Thessalonians 2:10 the APB renders “all deceit of unrighteousness,” while the plural dative form in 2 Peter 2:13 appears where people are “reveling in their deceptions.”

   Matthew 13:22Colossians 2:8Ephesians 4:22Hebrews 3:132 Thessalonians 2:102 Peter 2:13

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB usually presents the term with “deceit,” including “the deceit of riches,” “empty deceit,” and “the deceit of sin,” but uses “deceptions” in 2 Peter 2:13. These renderings show the clauses' presentation rather than a separate definition for each occurrence.