Deceive (1818) (exapatao from ek = intensifies meaning of root + apatáo = seduce, deceive - see study of related word apate) means to beguile thoroughly, deceive completely or seduce (persuade to disobedience, lead astray by persuasion or false promises) wholly. The result is to lead astray. To cause a subject to believe or accept false ideas about something with the implication of that one is led out of the right way into error and especially to sin (see 1Cor 11:3, 1Ti 2:14 below). Richards writes that... Apatao and its derivatives indicate ethical enticement...Deception sometimes comes from within, as our desires impel us to deceive. But more often in the NT, deceit is error urged by external evil powers or by those locked into the world's way of thinking. (Richards, L O: Expository Dictionary of Bible Words: Regency) As noted above the preposition ek strengthens the meaning of the verb apatao, conveying the idea that the one being deceived is deceived completely and utterly (see 1 Timothy 2:14 below where apatao refers to Adam and exapatao refers to Eve!) The present tense indicates this is their lifestyle. The active voice indicates that they are not the recipients (as would be indicated by the passive voice = subject receives action or effect from outside source) but the willful dispensers of the deception. Vincent suggests exapatao might be better translated as beguile for it is not merely making a false impression, but practically, leading astray. Webster's says that to beguile means to lead astray by underhandedness and stresses the use of charm and persuasion in deceiving. Thus it is deceiving by wiles (tricks or stratagems intended to ensnare or deceive = attempts to entrap or deceive with false allurements). A T Robertson says that this deceiver... includes “tricks” of any kind. It is amazing how gullible some of the saints are when a new deceiver pulls off some stunts in religion. Here are all the Scriptural uses of exapatao (One in the Septuagint - LXX and 6 in the NT)... Exodus 8:29 Then Moses said, "Behold, I am going out from you, and I shall make supplication to the LORD that the swarms of insects may depart from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people tomorrow; only do not let Pharaoh deal deceitfully (Hebrew = talal = to mock, deceive, trifle with; Lxx = exapatao) again in not letting the people go to sacrifice to the LORD." Romans 7:11 (see note) for sin, taking opportunity through the commandment, deceived me, and through it killed me. (Compare the use of apatao and exapatao in 1 Timothy below. Adam was not deceived but the woman was utterly deceived by Satan, which is the same effect Paul attributes in Romans 7:11 to the effect of sin! As an aside, this truth means we must be especially alert to the ability of sin to utterly deceive us! Don't toy with sin!) Romans 16:18 (note) For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting. 1 Corinthians 3:18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become foolish that he may become wise. (Comment: Note that we are actually capable of thoroughly beguiling or deceiving ourselves. Beware lest you fall into the trap of utter self-deception.) 2 Corinthians 11:3 But I am afraid, lest as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds should be led astray (phtheiro = corrupted, destroyed, spoiled) from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ. 2 Thessalonians 2:3 Let no one in any way deceive you, for it (the Day of the Lord) will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness (anti-christ) is revealed, the son of (utter) destruction (ruin), 1 Timothy 2:14 And it was not Adam who was deceived (apatao - passive = action exerted on subject from outside source), but the woman being quite deceived (exapatao), fell into transgression. THE HEARTS OF THE UNSUSPECTING: tas kardias ton akakon: He who adopts an attitude of never expecting (or suspecting) evil is liable to be (continually) deceived. To those who are not instructed in the ways of God as revealed in Scripture, the smooth and fair speech of those who propagate false teaching is especially dangerous. Safety lies in a knowledge of, and adherence to, the Word of God.