{This I say} (	outo leg(935c)). Paul explains why he has made
this great claim for Christ at this point in his discussion. {May
delude} (paralogiz(8874)ai). Present middle subjunctive of
paralogizomai, old verb, only here in N.T., from para and
logizomai, to count aside and so wrong, to cheat by false
reckoning, to deceive by false reasoning (Epictetus). {With
persuasiveness of speech} (en pithanologi(8369)). Rare word (Plato)
from pithanos and logos, speech, adapted to persuade, then
speciously leading astray. Only here in N.T. One papyrus example.
The art of persuasion is the height of oratory, but it easily
degenerates into trickery and momentary and flashy deceit such as
Paul disclaimed in  1Co 2:4  (ouk en pithois sophias logois)
where he uses the very adjective pithos (persuasive) of which
pithanos (both from peith(935c)) is another form. It is curious
how winning champions of error, like the Gnostics and modern
faddists, can be with plausibility that catches the gullible.