Page 130 - Foundations

It should be noted, that the word “seduce” does not imply sexual seduction. The word seduce means
“to persuade to do something inadvisable.” People can be seduced to a great variety of inadvisable
actions. People can be seduced sexually, but this is not the only activity to which people are seduced.
In the New Testament, this word occurs only seven times in six verses. If we do not embrace the
notion that Eve was sexually seduced by the serpent, there are no instances in which this word is
employed to mean “sexually seduced.” Following are all seven occurrences of the word.

Romans 7:11
For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived (exapatao) me, and by it killed me.

Romans 16:18
or those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words
and flattering speech deceive (exapatao) the hearts of the simple.

I Corinthians 3:18
Let no one deceive (exapatao) himself.

II Corinthians 11:3
But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived (exapatao) Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may
be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

II Thessalonians 2:3
Let no one deceive (exapatao) you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away
comes first, and the man of sin is revealed...

I Timothy 2:14
And Adam was not deceived (exapatao), but the woman being deceived (exapatao), fell into
transgression.

It should be noted that those who suggest that the word means “to seduce sexually,” and who teach
that Adam also had sex with the serpent, will be faced with a great contradiction in their employment
of this word. In the last verse above we are told that “Adam was not exapatao.” If the word means
“sexually seduced” then this should end the argument at once, for Paul states that “Adam was not
exapatao.”

We have further contextual evidence from the last verse above that argues for the proper
understanding of this word meaning “deceived,” rather than “sexually seduced.” We have to look at
the preceding verses to see why the apostle Paul has made this statement. It is observed that he is
giving evidence and arguments to support the apostolic instruction that women are not to teach men.

I Timothy 2:12-14
And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. For Adam
was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into
transgression.