Hypocrisy, as understood within the biblical context, refers to the act of pretending to have beliefs, virtues, or feelings that one does not truly possess. It is a form of deceit and insincerity, often condemned in Scripture as a serious moral failing. The term is derived from the Greek word "hypokrisis," which originally referred to the act of playing a part on stage, thus highlighting the element of pretense involved.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, hypocrisy is often associated with insincere worship and false piety. The prophets frequently rebuked the Israelites for their hypocritical practices. Isaiah 29:13 captures this sentiment: "Therefore the Lord said: 'These people draw near to Me with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Their worship of Me is but rules taught by men.'" Here, the emphasis is on the disconnect between outward religious observance and inward devotion.

New Testament Teachings

The New Testament provides a more detailed examination of hypocrisy, particularly in the teachings of Jesus Christ. The Gospels record numerous instances where Jesus condemns the Pharisees and scribes for their hypocritical behavior. In Matthew 23:27-28 , Jesus declares, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of impurity. In the same way, on the outside you appear to be righteous, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness."

Jesus' critique of the Pharisees highlights the danger of focusing on external appearances while neglecting the inner spiritual life. Hypocrisy, in this sense, is not merely about inconsistency but about a fundamental dishonesty in one's relationship with God and others.

Apostolic Writings

The apostolic writings continue to address the issue of hypocrisy within the early Christian communities. The Apostle Paul warns against hypocrisy in Romans 12:9 : "Love must be sincere. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good." Here, sincerity in love is presented as the antidote to hypocritical behavior. Similarly, in Galatians 2:11-14, Paul confronts Peter for his hypocritical conduct regarding Gentile believers, emphasizing the importance of consistency between belief and action.

The Apostle James also speaks to the issue in James 1:26 : "If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not bridle his tongue, he deceives his heart and his religion is worthless." This underscores the idea that true religion is marked by integrity and self-control, rather than mere outward observance.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, hypocrisy is a manifestation of the fallen human condition, where sin distorts the image of God in humanity. It is a barrier to genuine faith and community, as it undermines trust and authenticity. The call to Christians is to live lives of integrity, where inner convictions align with outward actions, reflecting the transformative power of the Gospel.

Practical Considerations

In practical terms, believers are encouraged to examine their own lives for signs of hypocrisy, seeking the Holy Spirit's guidance in cultivating sincerity and truthfulness. The pursuit of holiness involves a continual process of repentance and renewal, striving to align one's life with the teachings of Christ. As Ephesians 4:22-24 exhorts, "You were taught with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be renewed in the spirit of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness."Matthew 6:24
No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.
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Luke 16:13
No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.
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Matthew 7:21-23
Not every one that said to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father which is in heaven.
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James 1:26
If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridles not his tongue, but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is vain.
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1 John 1:6
If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
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1 John 4:20
If a man say, I love God, and hates his brother, he is a liar: for he that loves not his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?
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1 John 2:9
He that said he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness even until now.
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1 John 2:4
He that said, I know him, and keeps not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
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Matthew 15:7-9
You hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,
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Matthew 22:18
But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt you me, you hypocrites?
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(n.) Professing beliefs that one does notpractice; feigning to be what one is not; or to feel what one does not feel; a dissimulation, or a concealment of one's real character, disposition, or motives; especially, the assuming of false appearance of virtue or religion; a simulation of goodness.HYPOCRISY; HYPROCRITE

hi-pok'-ri-si, hip'-o-krit (choneph, chaneph; hupokrisis, hupokrites):

(1) "Hypocrisy" occurs only once in the Old Testament as the translation of choneph (Isaiah 32:6, the Revised Version (British and American) "profaneness"); chaneph, from which it is derived, means properly "to cover," "to hide," or "becloud," hence, to pollute, to be polluted or defiled, to make profane, to seduce; as a substantive it is translated "hypocrite" (Job 8:13; Job 13:16; Job 15:34; Job 17:8; Job 20:5; 27:08:00; 34:30:00; 36:13, in all which instances the Revised Version (British and American) has "godless man," "godless men," "godless"; Proverbs 11:9, the Revised Version (British and American) "the godless man"; Isaiah 9:17, the Revised Version (British and American) "profane"; Isaiah 33:14, the Revised Version (British and American) "the godless ones"); it is rendered "hypocritical," in Psalm 35:16 Isaiah 10:6, the Revised Version (British and American) "profane."

(2) "Hypocrisy," "hypocrite" are frequent in the New Testament, chiefly in Christ's discourses in the Gospels. The word hupokrisis (primarily, "an answer," "response") meant generally, in classical Greek, stageplaying, acting, the histrionic art; hence, it came to mean acting a part in life, etc. We find hupokrisis in this sense in 2 Maccabees 6:25, the Revised Version (British and American) "dissimulation," and hupokrinomai, "to pretend," "to feign," etc. Ecclesiasticus 1:29; 32:15:00; 33:2, translated "hypocrite"; 2 Maccabees 5:25, "pretending peace," the Revised Version (British and American) "playing the man of peace"; 6:21, the Revised Version (British and American) "to make as if." Hupokrites (literally, "an actor") is the Septuagint for chaneph (Job 34:30; Job 36:13), equivalent to bad, wicked, godless, which is perhaps included in some of our Lord's uses of the words, e.g. Matthew 23:27, "full of hypocrisy and iniquity" (compare 23:29; 24:51); but, in general, the meaning is acting a part, false, deceptive and deceived, formally and outwardly religious and good, but inwardly insincere and unrighteous; the hypocrite may come to deceive himself as well as others, but "the hypocrite's hope shall perish" (Job 8:13 the King James Version). On no class did our Lord pronounce such severe condemnation as on the hypocrites of His day.

"Hypocrisy" (hupokrisis) occurs in Matthew 23:28 Mark 12:15 Luke 12:1 1 Timothy 4:2; 1 Peter 2:1 (in Galatians 2:13 it is rendered "dissimulation"); "hypocrite" (hupokrites), Matthew 6:2, 5, 16; Matthew 7:5; Matthew 15:7; Matthew 22:18; Matthew 23:13, 15, 23, 25, 29; 24:51:00; Mark 7:6 Luke 12:56; Luke 13:15; in James 3:17, anupokritos is "without hypocrisy," so the Revised Version (British and American), Romans 12:9 ("unfeigned," 2 Corinthians 6:6 1 Timothy 1:5; 2 Timothy 1:5 1 Peter 1:22).

W. L. Walker

5272. hupokrisis -- a reply, answer, playacting, hypocrisy
... a reply, answer, playacting, hypocrisy. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration:
hupokrisis Phonetic Spelling: (hoop-ok'-ree-sis) Short Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5272.htm - 7k

505. anupokritos -- unhypocritical, unfeigned
... of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: anupokritos Phonetic Spelling: (an-oo-pok'-
ree-tos) Short Definition: unfeigned, without hypocrisy Definition: unfeigned ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/505.htm - 7k

4942. sunupokrinomai -- to play a part with
... Word Origin from sun and hupokrinomai Definition to play a part with NASB Word Usage
joined...in hypocrisy (1). dissemble with, join in hypocrisy. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4942.htm - 6k

2743. kauteriazo -- sear with a hot iron.
... endings.". 2743 ("seared") is used only in 1 Tim 4:2: "By means of the
hypocrisy of liars in their own conscience (2743 )" (). 2743 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2743.htm - 7k

1506. eilikrines -- judged by sunlight, unalloyed, pure
... therefore, (). 1506 () naturally refers to something , free from hypocrisy
(deceit, wickedness) which of God's approval. This term ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1506.htm - 7k

2612. choneph -- profaneness
... hypocrisy. From chaneph; moral filth, ie Wickedness -- hypocrisy. see HEBREW
chaneph. 2611, 2612. choneph. 2613 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/2612.htm - 6k

2519. chalaqlaqqoth -- smoothness
... chalaqlaqqoth. 2520 . smoothness. Transliteration: chalaqlaqqoth Phonetic Spelling:
(khal-ak-lak-kaw') Short Definition: hypocrisy. Word Origin by redupl. ...
/hebrew/2519.htm - 6k

3585. kachash -- lying, leanness
... leanness, lies, lying. From kachash; literally, a failure of flesh, ie Emaciation;
figuratively, hypocrisy -- leanness, lies, lying. see HEBREW kachash. ...
/hebrew/3585.htm - 6k

Hypocrisy
... Hypocrisy. A Sermon (No.237). ... CH SPURGEON. At the Music Hall, Royal Surrey Gardens.
"Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.""Luke 12:1. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/hypocrisy.htm

Hypocrisy
... Book First XXXI HYPOCRISY. As are those apples, pleasant to the eye, ... Each sin some
colour hath it to adorn; Hypocrisy, almighty GOD doth scorn. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/palgrave/the treasury of sacred song/xxxi hypocrisy.htm

Whether Hypocrisy is Contrary to the virtue of Truth?
... OF DISSIMULATION AND HYPOCRISY (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether hypocrisy is contrary
to the virtue of truth? Objection 1: It seems that ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether hypocrisy is contrary to.htm

Hypocrisy
... SERMON XXXVII. HYPOCRISY. Matthew xvi.3. Oh ... Would there not be hypocrisy
and play-acting in that, my friends? Now, my dear friends ...
/.../kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon xxxvii hypocrisy.htm

Whether Hypocrisy is the Same as Dissimulation?
... OF DISSIMULATION AND HYPOCRISY (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether hypocrisy is the
same as dissimulation? Objection 1: It seems that hypocrisy ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether hypocrisy is the same.htm

Whether Hypocrisy is Always a Mortal Sin?
... OF DISSIMULATION AND HYPOCRISY (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether hypocrisy is always a mortal
sin? Objection 1: It seems that hypocrisy is always a mortal sin. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether hypocrisy is always a.htm

A Warning against Hypocrisy
... Lesson 7 A Warning Against Hypocrisy. [This chapter is based on Acts 4:32
to 5:11.] As ... brethren. But God hates hypocrisy and falsehood. ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 7 a warning against.htm

Sincerity and Hypocrisy.
... DEVOUT EXERCISES. 456. " Sincerity and Hypocrisy. 456. CM Watts. Sincerity
and Hypocrisy. 1 God is a spirit just and wise, He ...
/.../adams/hymns for christian devotion/456 sincerity and hypocrisy.htm

Of Dissimulation and Hypocrisy (Four Articles)
... OF DISSIMULATION AND HYPOCRISY (FOUR ARTICLES). In due sequence we must consider
dissimulation and hypocrisy. ... (2) Whether hypocrisy is dissimulation? ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/of dissimulation and hypocrisy four.htm

Psalm 50:4. LM Hypocrisy Exposed.
... THE Psalms of David, In Metre. Psalm 50:4. LM Hypocrisy exposed. 1 The
Lord, the Judge, his churches warns, Let hypocrites attend ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/watts/the psalms of david/psalm 50 4 0 l m hypocrisy.htm

Hypocrisy (11 Occurrences)
... virtue or religion; a simulation of goodness. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
HYPOCRISY; HYPROCRITE. hi-pok'-ri-si, hip'-o-krit ...
/h/hypocrisy.htm - 14k

Hyprocrite
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia HYPOCRISY; HYPROCRITE. hi-pok'-ri-si,
hip'-o-krit (choneph, chaneph; hupokrisis, hupokrites): (1 ...
/h/hyprocrite.htm - 10k

Hypocrite (10 Occurrences)
... Our Lord severely rebuked the scribes and Pharisees for their hypocrisy (Matthew
6:2, 5, 16). "The hypocrite's hope shall perish" (Job 8:13). ...
/h/hypocrite.htm - 10k

Insincerity (5 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Galatians 2:13 And the rest of the Jews joined him in his hypocrisy; so that
even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy. (See RSV). ...
/i/insincerity.htm - 8k

Insincerely (3 Occurrences)
... Insincerely (3 Occurrences). Galatians 2:13 And the rest of the Jews joined him
in his hypocrisy; so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy. ...
/i/insincerely.htm - 7k

Polygamy
... La Rochefoucauld said: "Hypocrisy is a sort of homage which vice pays
to virtue." There is hypocrisy beneath the word polygamy. ...
/p/polygamy.htm - 19k

Hypocritical (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) of or pertaining to a hypocrite, or to hypocrisy;
as, a hypocritical person; a hypocritical look; a hypocritical action. ...
/h/hypocritical.htm - 7k

Ananias (11 Occurrences)
... When his hypocrisy was denounced by Peter, Ananias fell down dead; and three hours
later his wife met the same doom. The following points are of interest. ...
/a/ananias.htm - 19k

Astray (116 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Galatians 2:13 And the rest of the Jews joined him in his hypocrisy; so that
even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy. (See NIV). ...
/a/astray.htm - 36k

Joined (146 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Galatians 2:13 And the rest of the Jews joined him in his hypocrisy; so that
even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy. (WEB NAS NIV). ...
/j/joined.htm - 36k

What does the Bible say about hypocrisy? | GotQuestions.org

Why did God kill Ananias and Sapphira for lying? | GotQuestions.org

What is the leaven of the Pharisees? | GotQuestions.org

Hypocrisy: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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