English · KJV
G1818

ἐξαπατάω

exapatáō /ex-ap-at-ah'-o/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom ἐκ and ἀπατάω
Meaningto seduce wholly
KJV usagebeguile, deceive.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of exapatáō — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word ἐξαπατάω (exapatáō), represented by G1818, means to seduce wholly or to beguile. It appears 7 times across 5 unique verses in the Bible. The word denotes a thorough and complete deception, not merely a simple trick, but a fundamental leading astray from a state of truth or simplicity.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In its scriptural usage, G1818 describes deception at critical junctures. Its most foundational use references the serpent who beguiled Eve through his subtilty, an act which Paul fears could be repeated to corrupt the minds of believers away from Christ 2 Corinthians 11:3. The term is also used to describe the power of sin, which, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived and ultimately slew the individual Romans 7:11. Believers are warned not to deceive themselves regarding worldly wisdom 1 Corinthians 3:18 and to be wary of those who use "good words and fair speeches" to deceive the hearts of the simple Romans 16:18. Furthermore, it is used in an eschatological warning that no one should be deceived, for a "falling away" must come before the man of sin is revealed 2 Thessalonians 2:3.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help to frame the methods and consequences of this complete deception:

  • G3789 óphis (serpent): This word, used for the agent of the original deception, figuratively represents an artful, malicious person, especially Satan 2 Corinthians 11:3.
  • G3834 panourgía (craftiness): Described as adroitness in a bad sense, such as trickery or sophistry, this is the method the serpent used to beguile Eve 2 Corinthians 11:3.
  • G5542 chrēstología (good words): This term for fair speech or plausibility is a tool used by false teachers to deceive the hearts of the simple Romans 16:18.
  • G5351 phtheírō (corrupt): This word describes the result of being wholly seduced. Paul fears believers' minds will be corrupted just as Eve's was 2 Corinthians 11:3.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G1818 is significant, highlighting a constant spiritual danger.

  • The Archetype of Deception: The word is tied directly to the fall of humanity, where the serpent beguiled Eve. This event serves as the primary biblical example of being wholly seduced from a state of simplicity and obedience 2 Corinthians 11:3.
  • The Agent of Spiritual Death: Sin itself is personified as a deceptive agent that uses God's own commandment to deceive and bring about death, illustrating the profound and insidious nature of sin's power Romans 7:11.
  • A Warning Against False Teachers: The term is a caution against those who do not serve Christ but use plausible speech to deceive the unsuspecting, targeting their hearts and leading them astray Romans 16:18.
  • An End-Times Indicator: The act of deception is presented as a precursor to major eschatological events, specifically the "falling away" and the revealing of the "man of sin" 2 Thessalonians 2:3.

Summary

In summary, G1818 carries a grave meaning beyond simple falsehood. It represents a total seduction that can corrupt the mind, empower sin, and lead to spiritual death. From the original beguiling in the garden to warnings about the last days, ἐξαπατάω serves as a potent biblical reminder of the need for discernment and steadfastness in the face of influences that seek to draw believers away from the simplicity found in Christ.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 6 occurrences, inflected in 5 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • ἐξηπάτησέν
  • ἐξαπατήσῃ
  • ἐξαπατηθεῖσα
  • ἐξαπατάτω·
  • ἐξαπατῶσιν

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

G3789 ὄφις a snake, figuratively, (as a type of sly cunning) an artful malicious person, especially Satan G3834 πανουργία adroitness, i.e. (in a bad sense) trickery or sophistry G5542 χρηστολογία fair speech, i.e. plausibility G5351 φθείρω properly, to shrivel or wither, i.e. to spoil (by any process) or (generally) to ruin (especially figuratively, by…

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 5 verses across 4 of the 27 books. Most frequent in Romans (2 verses); never once in the other 23.

2
Romans
1
1 Corinthians
1
2 Corinthians
1
2 Thessalonians

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.