Apataō means to deceive, beguile, or lead astray. It describes the active misleading of a person through false impressions, lies, or seductive reasoning. The New Testament uses it for the deception of Eve (1 Timothy 2:14), self-deception about one's righteousness, and marital unfaithfulness.
Deception (apataō) enters the biblical story in the Garden when the serpent beguiled Eve. Paul's reference to this original deception in 1 Timothy and 2 Corinthians establishes Satan as the arch-deceiver and warns the church to be vigilant. James warns against self-deception about hearing the Word without doing it. The antidote to deception is the truth of God's Word.