Greek word · G3180

μεθοδεία

methodeia

scheme

Method or procedure. In a bad sense, scheming, a stratagem, a calculated plan to get round someone. It comes from methodos ('pursuit, method') and the verb methodeuō ('to handle methodically; to scheme, deceive').

Appears 2 times in 2 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

μεθ-οδία (Rec. -εία; cf. 131., § 3, 5), -ας, ἡ

(† μεθοδεύω, 1. to treat by rule. 2. to employ craft: 2 Kings 19:27 *)

craft, deceit: Ephesians 4:14 6:11 (not found elsewhere; see AR, in l).†

(AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of Ephesians 4:14

Range of meaning

Method or procedure. In a bad sense, scheming, a stratagem, a calculated plan to get round someone. It comes from methodos ('pursuit, method') and the verb methodeuō ('to handle methodically; to scheme, deceive').

Against the English

'Whereby they lie in wait to deceive' (KJV, following Tyndale) paraphrases it as an ambush. 'Wiles' (WEB) and 'deceitful scheming' (BSB, NIV) are closer. YLT's 'artifice' is close too.

Used elsewhere in the period

Rare before the New Testament. Ephesians is among its earliest known uses. Later papyri use it neutrally for a method or procedure. The verb methodeuō appears in LXX 2 Sam 19:27 (19:28 LXX), where Mephibosheth complains that Ziba 'dealt craftily' against him. In the New Testament the noun appears only here and in Eph 6:11, 'the schemes (methodeiai) of the devil'.

From the study of Ephesians 6:11

Range of meaning

From methodeuō, "to follow a method, handle systematically", which also came to mean "to scheme, use craft, deceive". The noun means methodical procedure, and in a bad sense scheming, craftiness, stratagems. BDAG gives "scheming, craftiness".

Against the English

KJV/WEB/YLT "wiles" is accurate but archaic, and to many modern ears it suggests charm or seduction. "Schemes" (BSB, ESV, NIV, NASB) and "strategies" (NLT) are clearer. The Greek also suggests a system: planned, repeated tactics, not one-off impulses.

How it drifted

"Wiles" (from Old English/Old Norse roots for trickery) was a good 1611 choice. Today it has faded into archaic or romantic usage ("feminine wiles").

Used elsewhere in the period

Rare. The NT uses it only in Ephesians (4:14 and 6:11), and it is not clearly found before Ephesians. Later papyri and writers use it for a method or systematic procedure. The related verb is used in the LXX at 2 Samuel 19:28 (2 Kgdms 19:27) for slandering by trickery.

Where it appears

Ephesians · 2

  1. Ephesians 4:14 μεθοδείαν scheming

    Then we will no longer be infants, tossed about by the waves and carried around by every wind of teaching and by the clever cunning of men in their deceitful scheming.

    Here: A planned method, a stratagem worked out step by step (compare English 'method'). In the New Testament it appears only here and in 6:11, 'the schemes of the devil'. So the danger is organised, not accidental.

  2. Ephesians 6:11 μεθοδείας schemes

    Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes.

    Here: Plural: "schemings", planned, methodical tactics meant to deceive. The attack described is cunning and deception, not brute force.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.