1818. exapataó

Lexical Summary

exapataó: To deceive thoroughly, to beguile, to lead astray

Original Word: ἐξαπατάω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: exapataó
Pronunciation: ex-ap-at-ah'-o
Phonetic Spelling: (ex-ap-at-ah'-o)
KJV: beguile, deceive
NASB: deceive, deceived
Word Origin: [from G1537 (ἐκ - among) and G538 (ἀπατάω - deceive)]

1. to seduce wholly

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

beguile, deceive, seduce

From ek and apatao; to seduce wholly -- beguile, deceive.

see GREEK ek

see GREEK apatao

HELPS Word-studies

1818 eksapatáō (from 1537ek, "wholly out/from," intensifying 538 /apatáō, "deceive") – properly, thoroughly deceived ("hood-winked"), describing someone taken in, and enslaved by, Satan (sin, darkness).

1818 /eksapatáō ("deceived into illusion") emphasizes the end-impact of deception – i.e. missing true reality because "biting on the bait that brings the hook!"

[As an intensified form of 538 (apatáō), 1818 (eksapatáō) means, "thoroughly taken in – biting the bait that hides the hook!"]

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from ek and apataó
Definition
to seduce wholly, deceive
NASB Translation
deceive (3), deceived (3).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 1818: ἐξαπατάω

ἐξαπατάω, ἐξαπάτω; 1 aorist ἐξηπάτησα; 1 aorist passive participle feminine ἐξαπατηθεῖσα; (εξ( strengthens the simple verb (cf. ἐκ, VI. 6)), to deceive: Romans 7:11; Romans 16:18; 1 Corinthians 3:18; 2 Corinthians 11:3; 2 Thessalonians 2:3; passive 1 Timothy 2:14 (L T Tr WH). (From Homer down; twice in the O. T. viz. Exodus 8:29; Susanna 56.)

Topical Lexicon

Overview

This verb appears six times in the New Testament as an urgent warning against total, soul-engulfing deception. Whether the threat comes from sin itself, persuasive teachers, satanic craftiness, or self-delusion, the word highlights a danger that can utterly mislead believers away from Christ and His truth.

Occurrences in the New Testament

• Romans 7:11 – “For sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through the commandment put me to death.”
• Romans 16:18 – “For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.”
• 1 Corinthians 3:18 – “Let no one deceive himself. If any of you thinks he is wise in this age, he should become a fool, so that he may become wise.”
• 2 Corinthians 11:3 – “I am afraid, however, that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may be led astray from your simple and pure devotion to Christ.”
• 2 Thessalonians 2:3 – “Let no one deceive you in any way, for it will not come until the rebellion occurs, and the man of lawlessness—the son of destruction—is revealed.”
• 1 Timothy 2:14 – “And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman who was deceived and fell into transgression.”

Semantic Emphases

The verb stresses two ideas: complete success in misleading and an active, intentional agent of deception. The danger is not partial misunderstanding but a wholesale exchange of truth for falsehood that captivates mind, heart, and will.

Theological Significance

1. Fallenness and Sin

Deception lies at the core of human rebellion, tracing back to Eve’s experience in Eden and extending to sin’s inner strategy in every heart (Romans 7:11).
2. Spiritual Warfare

The same crafty serpent now employs false teachers, cultural pressures, and intellectual pride to divert believers from “simple and pure devotion to Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:3).
3. Eschatological Urgency

End-time events will feature unprecedented deception (2 Thessalonians 2:3). Discernment grows more critical as the Day of the Lord approaches.

Historical Background

Greco-Roman culture prized rhetorical skill, and itinerant sophists often used eloquence for personal gain. Paul and other apostles wrote to congregations inundated with such oratory, emphasizing that clever words can veil selfish motives and spiritual poison.

Ministry and Discipleship Applications

• Center all teaching on Scripture’s plain meaning to expose falsehood.
• Foster humility—“Let no one deceive himself”—by regular self-examination.
• Equip believers to recognize flattery and doctrinal compromise, especially among the inexperienced.
• Keep the cross and resurrection central; every distortion ultimately diminishes Christ’s sufficiency.
• Pray for spiritual insight; discernment is a gift of the Spirit, not merely intellectual acumen.

Old Testament Connection

The apostles repeatedly link present deception to Genesis 3, showing the unity of Scripture’s witness: questioning God’s Word, doubting His goodness, and seeking autonomy lead to ruin. This backdrop underscores the seriousness of every New Testament warning.

Christological Focus

Jesus Christ, the embodiment of truth, stands in stark contrast to every deceiver. Abiding in Him ensures protection, for “the truth will set you free” (John 8:32). Final victory over deception is guaranteed when the ultimate deceiver is cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:10).

Summary

Across its six uses, this verb unmasks a constant, lethal threat. Yet the gospel provides a sure defense: cling to the Word, rely on the Spirit, stay in Christian community, and fix eyes on Christ. In doing so, believers remain steadfast, unshaken by even the most sophisticated deception.

Forms and Transliterations

εξαπατατω εξαπατάτω ἐξαπατάτω εξαπατηθεισα ἐξαπατηθεῖσα εξαπατήσαι εξαπατηση ἐξαπατήσῃ εξαπατωσι εξαπατώσι ἐξαπατῶσι ἐξαπατῶσιν εξηπάτησέ εξηπατησεν ἐξηπάτησεν ἐξηπάτησέν exapatato exapatatō exapatáto exapatátō exapatese exapatēsē exapatḗsei exapatḗsēi exapatetheisa exapatetheîsa exapatētheisa exapatētheîsa exapatosin exapatôsin exapatōsin exapatō̂sin exepatesen exepátesen exepátesén exēpatēsen exēpátēsen exēpátēsén

Englishman's Concordance

Romans 7:11 V-AIA-3S
GRK: τῆς ἐντολῆς ἐξηπάτησέν με καὶ
NAS: the commandment, deceived me and through
KJV: by the commandment, deceived me, and
INT: the commandment deceived me and

Romans 16:18 V-PIA-3P
GRK: καὶ εὐλογίας ἐξαπατῶσιν τὰς καρδίας
NAS: and flattering speech they deceive the hearts
KJV: fair speeches deceive the hearts
INT: and praise deceive the hearts

1 Corinthians 3:18 V-PMA-3S
GRK: Μηδεὶς ἑαυτὸν ἐξαπατάτω εἴ τις
NAS: Let no man deceive himself. If
KJV: Let no man deceive himself. If any man
INT: No one himself let deceive if anyone

2 Corinthians 11:3 V-AIA-3S
GRK: ὁ ὄφις ἐξηπάτησεν Εὕαν ἐν
NAS: that, as the serpent deceived Eve
KJV: as the serpent beguiled Eve through
INT: the serpent deceived Eve in

2 Thessalonians 2:3 V-ASA-3S
GRK: τις ὑμᾶς ἐξαπατήσῃ κατὰ μηδένα
NAS: way deceive you, for [it will not come] unless
KJV: no man deceive you by
INT: anyone you should deceive in not one

1 Timothy 2:14 V-APA-NFS
GRK: δὲ γυνὴ ἐξαπατηθεῖσα ἐν παραβάσει
NAS: but the woman being deceived, fell
INT: but [the] woman having been deceived in transgression

Strong's Greek 1818
6 Occurrences

ἐξαπατάτω — 1 Occ.
ἐξαπατήσῃ — 1 Occ.
ἐξαπατηθεῖσα — 1 Occ.
ἐξαπατῶσιν — 1 Occ.
ἐξηπάτησέν — 2 Occ.