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The teaching of the text may be summed up in this plain proposition — the hypocrite's hope. How happy soever he may seem from it for a while, will leave him miserable when God shall take away his soul.

I. TO WHOM THE CHARACTER OF A HYPOCRITE BELONGS. The word suggests, "one who acts in a play," representing another person rather than his own. Transferred to religion, it is used to denote such as have put on a form of godliness, and would pass for saints, but are not in reality what they seem. The Hebrew word comes from one that signifies a cloud, as their wickedness is covered; or as they are painted over with another colour, hiding their natural one, that it may not be known. Thus an hypocrite is a real enemy to God, outwardly acting as one of His children. Open his character.

1. An hypocrite is one that pretends to have entirely devoted himself to God, when he has not, but divided his heart between God and the world; and so God has no interest in him at all. It is the whole heart God calls for, and He will have nothing less.

2. He is one that professes a regard to the will of God, as the reason, and to the glory of God as the end, of what he does in religion; when, in the meantime, he acts from other springs, and for lower and selfish ends.

3. He is one that takes more pains to appear outwardly religious than to be really so, between God and his own soul. A true Christian is as solicitous about his heart as about his life. But this is not the hypocrite's concern. If he has a fair outside, he is little careful how matters stand within.

4. He is one that, in religious duties, puts God off with bodily service, whilst the heart is unengaged and left out.

5. He is partial and uneven in his obedience to God, and in his walk with Him.

II. SUCH MAY HAVE A HOPE WHICH THEY MAINTAIN AS LONG AS THEY LIVE. It is strange that in souls so unsafe this hope should be so tong kept up. It is owing to such things as these —

1. To wretched ignorance of themselves, through neglecting to look into their own hearts.

2. To their not attending to the extent and spirituality of the law, as to what it requires of them, and how far they come short of obedience to it.

3. To the favourable apprehensions others may have of them.

4. To comparing themselves with open sinners, or more loose professors.

5. To the length they may go as to the attainment of what looks like grace.

III. WHAT HYPOCRITES MAY BE SAID FOR A WHILE TO GAIN. It is supposed that some advantage they aim at, and may also reach.

1. By the part they act, they may gain more of the world.

2. They may gain the esteem and applause of men, and have the reputation of being eminently holy and religious.

3. They may gain a sort of peace in their own minds.

4. They may hereupon gain a smooth passage through the world, and an easy going out of it.

5. They may have a pompous funeral, and be well spoken of when they are dead.

IV. THE VANITY AND EMPTINESS OF THE HYPOCRITE'S HOPE AND GAIN, AND THE CERTAINTY AND DREADFULNESS OF HIS MISERY WHEN GOD TAKETH AWAY HIS SOUL.

1. What is the hope of the hypocrite? A hope without ground, without fruit; and a hope that will not hold before the Judge.

2. What is the gain of the hypocrite? It is unsuitable to his soul, his better part. It is bounded within this present life, and can accompany him no further. Then take up with no hope but such as will stand you in stead when God shall take away your soul.

(1)  Not the hope that is built upon a mere profession, how specious soever.

(2)  Not a hope that is built upon excellent gifts and attainments.

(3)  Not a hope that is built upon external reformation.

(4)  Not a hope that is built upon the good opinion of others.

(5)  Not a hope that is built upon what we enjoy or suffer as to the present world.

(6)  Not a hope that is built upon Church privileges; but a hope that has the mercy of God in Christ for its ground, and the promise of God for its warrant.

(D. Wilcox.)

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KJV: For what is the hope of the hypocrite, though he hath gained, when God taketh away his soul?

WEB: For what is the hope of the godless, when he is cut off, when God takes away his life?