In biblical terms, a hypocrite is someone who pretends to have virtues, moral or religious beliefs, principles, etc., that they do not actually possess. The term is often used to describe individuals who are insincere or deceitful in their faith or actions, particularly in their relationship with God and others. The Bible addresses the issue of hypocrisy extensively, especially in the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Old Testament References

The concept of hypocrisy is present in the Old Testament, though the term itself is not frequently used. The prophets often condemned the Israelites for their insincere worship and failure to live according to God's commandments. Isaiah 29:13 states, "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.'" This passage highlights the disconnect between outward religious observance and genuine devotion to God.

New Testament References

The New Testament, particularly the Gospels, contains numerous references to hypocrisy, primarily in the teachings of Jesus. The Pharisees and scribes are often depicted as the epitome of hypocritical behavior. In Matthew 23, Jesus delivers a series of "woes" to the Pharisees, criticizing their outward displays of piety that mask their inner corruption. Matthew 23:27-28 states, "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 also warns against hypocrisy in personal conduct. In Matthew 6:1-2 , He advises, "Be careful not to perform your righteous acts before men to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. Truly I tell you, they already have their reward."

Characteristics of Hypocrisy

1. Inconsistency: Hypocrites often display a discrepancy between their public persona and private behavior. They may profess faith and adherence to God's laws while secretly engaging in sinful activities.

2. Self-Righteousness: Hypocrites tend to elevate themselves above others, often judging and condemning others for the very sins they themselves commit. This is evident in the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector in Luke 18:9-14, where the Pharisee boasts of his righteousness while the tax collector humbly seeks God's mercy.

3. Desire for Approval: Hypocrites seek the praise and admiration of others rather than the approval of God. Their religious acts are often performed for show, rather than out of genuine devotion.

4. Neglect of Inner Transformation: While focusing on external observance of religious rituals, hypocrites neglect the inner transformation of the heart that true faith requires. Jesus emphasizes the importance of inner purity in Matthew 15:7-9 : "You hypocrites! Isaiah prophesied correctly about you: ‘These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’"

Warnings and Exhortations

The Bible warns believers to guard against hypocrisy in their own lives. In James 1:22 , it is written, "Be doers of the word, and not hearers only. Otherwise, you are deceiving yourselves." This exhortation encourages Christians to live out their faith authentically, aligning their actions with their professed beliefs.

Furthermore, the Apostle Paul advises believers to examine themselves and their motives. In 2 Corinthians 13:5 , he writes, "Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Can’t you see for yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you—unless you actually fail the test?"

The Bible's teachings on hypocrisy serve as a reminder of the importance of sincerity and integrity in one's relationship with God and others.

The Nature of Spiritual Hunger
... 1 The hypocrite does not desire grace for itself. He desires grace only as a bridge
to lead him over to heaven. ... This is the hypocrite's hunger. ...
/.../the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/13 the nature of spiritual.htm

Hypocrisy
... you will rather say, "Sir, I desire to make sure work concerning my own soul, tell
me faithfully and tell me honestly what are the signs of a hypocrite, and I ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/hypocrisy.htm

A Description of Heart-Purity
... The blazing comet is no star. The hypocrite's tongue may be silver, yet
his heart stone. ... The unbeliever is the greatest hypocrite. ...
/.../16 a description of heart-purity.htm

Perseverance
... The hypocrite's motion is only artificial, not vital. ... The hypocrite, who has only
some smack or taste of religion, as one tastes a gargle, may fall away. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/10 perseverance.htm

The Touchstone of Godly Sincerity
... I myself shall be a castaway;" so Job lays bare before his own eyes, and points
to the view of those who heard him, the features of a hypocrite, lest by any ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the touchstone of godly sincerity.htm

For Constant Christian Friendship.
... said Come on those who've truth forsaken, And with wares deceptive trade; For Thou
sayest Thou disownest, As abomination shunnest, Ev'ry hypocrite's false mood ...
/.../gerhardt/paul gerhardts spiritual songs/for constant christian friendship.htm

The King's Farewell
... And how profoundly true it is that the more punctiliously white the hypocrite's
outside, the more foul is he within, and the wider berth will all discerning ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/the kings farewell.htm

Thirdly, for Thy Actions.
... In all the holy Scriptures, I never read of a hypocrite's repentance; and no wonder,
for whereas after sin conversion is left as a means to cure all other ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/bayly/the practice of piety/thirdly for thy actions.htm

Effectual Calling
... The Cyprian diamond, says Pliny, sparkles like the true diamond, but it is not of
the right kind, it will break with the hammer: so the hypocrite's faith will ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a divine cordial/effectual calling.htm

The Death of the Christian
... they were not afraid. You will not disbelieve dying men. It were ill to
act the hypocrite's part at such a time. When the play is ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the death of the christian.htm

Hypocrite's (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Hypocrite's (1 Occurrence). Job 8:13 So are the paths
of all that forget God; and the hypocrite's hope shall perish: (KJV WBS). ...
/h/hypocrite's.htm - 6k

Hypocrites (22 Occurrences)

/h/hypocrites.htm - 13k

Hyprocrite
... 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 ...
/h/hyprocrite.htm - 10k

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

Hypocrite (10 Occurrences)
... "The hypocrite's hope shall perish" (Job 8:13). ... Multi-Version Concordance
Hypocrite (10 Occurrences). Matthew 7:5 You hypocrite! ...
/h/hypocrite.htm - 10k

Hypocrisy (11 Occurrences)
... 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 ...
/h/hypocrisy.htm - 14k

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