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 outwardly appear righteous but are inwardly corrupt or insincere. The Bible frequently addresses the issue of hypocrisy, particularly in the context of religious practice and moral conduct.

Old Testament References

The concept of hypocrisy is present in the Old Testament, where it is often associated with insincerity in worship and false piety. Isaiah 29:13 highlights this issue: "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 prophet Isaiah condemns the Israelites for their superficial worship, which lacks genuine devotion.

New Testament References

The New Testament provides a more detailed examination of hypocrisy, particularly in the teachings of Jesus Christ. The Pharisees and scribes are frequently criticized 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' teachings emphasize the importance of inner purity and sincerity over outward appearances. In Matthew 6:1 , He warns, "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." This passage underscores the need for genuine faith and integrity in one's relationship with God.

Apostolic Teachings

The apostles also address the issue of hypocrisy in their writings. The Apostle Paul, in Galatians 2:13 , recounts an incident involving Peter: "The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray." Paul confronts Peter for his inconsistent behavior, which compromised the truth of the Gospel.

James, the brother of Jesus, also speaks against hypocrisy in James 3:17 : "But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere." Here, sincerity is contrasted with hypocrisy, highlighting the virtues that should characterize a believer's life.

Theological Implications

Hypocrisy is seen as a grave sin because it involves deception and a lack of authenticity in one's relationship with God and others. It undermines the witness of the believer and can lead others astray. The Bible calls for a life of integrity, where one's actions align with their professed beliefs. True righteousness, according to Scripture, is not merely about external compliance with religious norms but involves a transformation of the heart and mind.

Practical Application

Believers are encouraged to examine their own lives for any signs of hypocrisy and to seek God's help in cultivating sincerity and authenticity. Regular self-reflection, prayer, and accountability within the Christian community are vital in combating the tendency toward hypocritical behavior. The call to live a life of genuine faith is a central theme in the Christian journey, as believers strive to reflect the character of Christ in all aspects of their lives.Hypocrite

One who, like a stage-player, feigns to be what he is not. The epithet is generally applied to those who assume the appearance of virtue or piety, without possessing the reality. Our Savior accused the Pharisees of hypocrisy, Luke 12:1.

One who puts on a mask and feigns himself to be what he is not; a dissembler in religion. 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). The Hebrew word here rendered "hypocrite" rather means the "godless" or "profane," as it is rendered in Jeremiah 23:11, i.e., polluted with crimes. (n.) One who professes beliefs he is not willing to uphold; one who plays a part; especially, one who, for the purpose of winning approbation of favor, puts on a fair outside seeming; one who feigns to be other and better than he is; a false pretender to virtue or piety; one who simulates virtue or piety.5273. hupokrites -- one who answers, an actor, a hypocrite
... one who answers, an actor, a hypocrite. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration:
hupokrites Phonetic Spelling: (hoop-ok-ree-tace') Short Definition: a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5273.htm - 7k

505. anupokritos -- unhypocritical, unfeigned
... 505 (an adjective, derived from alpha-privative 1 "not" and 5271 , "to act as a
hypocrite") -- properly, ("put on"), describing sincere behavior free from ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/505.htm - 7k

120. adam -- man, mankind
... someone (1). another, hypocrite, common sort, low, man mean, of low degree,
person. From 'adam; ruddy ie A human being (an individual ...
/hebrew/120.htm - 6k

2611. chaneph -- profane, irreligious
... hypocritical. From chaneph; soiled (ie With sin), impious -- hypocrite(-ical). see
HEBREW chaneph. 2610, 2611. chaneph. 2612 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/2611.htm - 6k

Few Saved; Or, the Almost Christian, the Hypocrite, and Apostate.
... Hymns, Book II HYMN 158 Few saved; or, The almost Christian, the hypocrite, and
apostate. LM Few saved; or, The almost Christian, the hypocrite, and apostate. ...
/.../watts/the psalms and hymns of isaac watts/hymn 158 few saved or.htm

Few Saved; Or, the Almost Christian, the Hypocrite, and Apostate.
... third lines of the stanza. Hymn 2:158. Few saved; or, The almost Christian,
the hypocrite, and apostate. 1 Broad is the road that ...
/.../watts/hymns and spiritual songs/hymn 0 193055556 few saved or.htm

Hypocrisy
... Stupid we might call it, or unreasonable: but how hypocritical? That, I think,
we may see better, by considering what the word hypocrite means. ...
/.../kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon xxxvii hypocrisy.htm

Whether Hypocrisy is Always a Mortal Sin?
... Therefore a hypocrite always sins mortally. ... Neither therefore is all hypocrisy a
mortal sin. Further, the intention of a hypocrite is to appear to be good. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether hypocrisy is always a.htm

Whether Hypocrisy is the Same as Dissimulation?
... x): "'Hypocrite' is a Greek word corresponding to the Latin 'simulator,' for whereas
he is evil within," he "shows himself outwardly as being good; {hypo ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether hypocrisy is the same.htm

Secondly, to Assign Some Reasons Why Christians must Make this the ...
... Most certainly, that man who is careless of the frame of his heart, is but a hypocrite
in his profession, however eminent he be in the externals of religion. ...
/.../flavel/on keeping the heart/secondly to assign some reasons.htm

Whether Hypocrisy is Contrary to the virtue of Truth?
... Now with regard to neither of these does it seem to be opposed to any special virtue:
for a hypocrite simulates any virtue, and by means of any virtuous deeds ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether hypocrisy is contrary to.htm

The Sunday Christian.
... He was not a church-going man, because, as he said, he didn't want to be
"thought a hypocrite." In this he displayed a weakness. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/arthur/words for the wise/the sunday christian.htm

But this New Cloudy Political Cowardice Has Rendered Useless the ...
... As an instance to sharpen the argument, I take the one case of our everlasting
education bills. We have actually contrived to invent a new kind of hypocrite. ...
/.../chesterton/whats wrong with the world/chapter 3 but this new.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

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

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

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

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

Hypocrites (22 Occurrences)

/h/hypocrites.htm - 13k

Log (12 Occurrences)
... in your own eye? (See NAS RSV). Matthew 7:5 You hypocrite! First remove the
beam ... in your own eye? You hypocrite! First remove the beam ...
/l/log.htm - 11k

Godless (31 Occurrences)
... the Revised Version (British and American) substitutes the word "godless" for the
word "hypocrite" in the following passages: Job 8:13; Job 13:16; Job 15:34 ...
/g/godless.htm - 16k

Remove (173 Occurrences)
... in your own eye? (WEB). Matthew 7:5 You hypocrite! First remove the beam
out ... is in your own eye? You hypocrite! First remove the beam ...
/r/remove.htm - 38k

Mote (6 Occurrences)
... Matthew 7:5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then
shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye. ...
/m/mote.htm - 9k

Plank (5 Occurrences)
... in your own eye? (See NIV). Matthew 7:5 You hypocrite! First remove the
beam ... in your own eye? You hypocrite! First remove the beam ...
/p/plank.htm - 9k

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