Hypocrisy

An outward pretence masking an inner reality. Scripture condemns hypocrisy, especially in matters of faith. Believers should express their commitment to God in their words and their deeds, as well as in their inner motivation.

The origin of hypocrisy

Jeremiah 17:9 See also Hosea 10:2 Israel; Mark 7:21–22 parallel Matthew 15:19

The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?

The expression of hypocrisy

Insincere motives

Matthew 6:2 See also Matthew 6:5, Matthew 6:16, Matthew 15:7–9, Matthew 22:18, Matthew 23:5–7

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 full reward.

When deeds do not match words

Isaiah 29:13 See also Matthew 15:7–8 parallel Mark 7:6; Proverbs 26:24–26; Jeremiah 9:8, Jeremiah 12:2; Ezekiel 33:31; Matthew 23:28; Romans 2:17–24; James 2:14–26

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.

A tendency to judge others

Matthew 7:5 parallel Luke 6:41 See also Romans 2:1

You hypocrite! First take the beam out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

The alternative to hypocrisy

Hebrews 10:22 See also Psalm 24:3–4, Psalm 26:4, Psalm 32:2; James 3:17, James 4:8; 1 Peter 2:1–3

let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

Hypocrisy is not to be found in leaders

1 Chronicles 28:8–9 See also Malachi 2:6 the true priest; 1 Corinthians 4:1–5; 1 Timothy 3:8; Titus 1:8; James 3:1

So now in the sight of all Israel, the assembly of the LORD, and in the hearing of our God, keep and seek out all the commandments of the LORD your God, so that you may possess this good land and leave it as an inheritance to your descendants forever. As for you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve Him wholeheartedly and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands the intent of every thought. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.

Examples of hypocrites

Israel's leaders

Jeremiah 6:13 See also Jeremiah 8:8

“For from the least of them to the greatest, all are greedy for gain; from prophet to priest, all practice deceit.

The Pharisees

Mark 12:38–40 See also Matthew 23:1–32; Luke 12:1–2, Luke 12:56

In His teaching Jesus also said, “Watch out for the scribes. They like to walk around in long robes, to receive greetings in the marketplaces, and to have the chief seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. They defraud widows of their houses, and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will receive greater condemnation.”

Peter and Barnabas

Galatians 2:12–13 By acting in this way, Peter was denying his own conviction that Gentiles could be saved by faith without having to submit to the law.

For before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself, for fear of those in the circumcision group. The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray.

Many false teachers

Romans 16:17–18 See also Philippians 1:17; 1 Timothy 4:2; 2 Timothy 3:5; Jude 1:16

Now I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who create divisions and obstacles that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Turn away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.

Examples of those who did not practise hypocrisy

Jesus Christ

1 Peter 2:21–22 See also Isaiah 53:9; John 8:44–46

For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His footsteps: “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth.”

Paul and his companions

2 Corinthians 1:12 See also 2 Corinthians 2:17; 1 Thessalonians 2:3–10

For this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in relation to you, in the holiness and sincerity that are from God — not in worldly wisdom, but in the grace of God.