Hypocrisy

The origin of hypocrisy

Jeremiah 17:9 NASB95

“The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it?

See also Ho 10:2 Israel; Mk 7:21–22

The expression of hypocrisy

Insincere motives

Matthew 6:2 NASB95

“So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.

See also Mt 15:7–9; Mt 6:5; Mt 6:16; Mt 22:18; Mt 23:5–7

When deeds do not match words

Isaiah 29:13 NASB95

Then the Lord said, “Because this people draw near with their words And honor Me with their lip service, But they remove their hearts far from Me, And their reverence for Me consists of tradition learned by rote,

See also Je 12:2; Ro 2:17–24; Eze 33:31; Je 9:8; Mt 15:7–8; Jas 2:14–26; Mt 23:28; Pr 26:24–26

A tendency to judge others

Matthew 7:5 NASB95

“You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.

See also Ro 2:1

The alternative to hypocrisy

Hebrews 10:22 NASB95

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

See also Ps 24:3–4; Jas 4:8; Ps 32:2; Jas 3:17; 1 Pe 2:1–3; Ps 26:4

Hypocrisy is not to be found in leaders

1 Chronicles 28:8–9 NASB95

“So now, in the sight of all Israel, the assembly of the Lord, and in the hearing of our God, observe and seek after all the commandments of the Lord your God so that you may possess the good land and bequeath it to your sons after you forever. “As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a whole heart and a willing mind; for the Lord searches all hearts, and understands every intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will let you find Him; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.

See also 1 Ti 3:8; Jas 3:1; Tt 1:8; Mal 2:6 the true priest; 1 Co 4:1–5

Examples of hypocrites

Israel’s leaders

Jeremiah 6:13 NASB95

“For from the least of them even to the greatest of them, Everyone is greedy for gain, And from the prophet even to the priest Everyone deals falsely.

See also Je 8:8

The Pharisees

Mark 12:38–40 NASB95

In His teaching He was saying: “Beware of the scribes who like to walk around in long robes, and like respectful greetings in the market places, and chief seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets, who devour widows’ houses, and for appearance’s sake offer long prayers; these will receive greater condemnation.”

See also Mt 23:1–32; Lk 12:1–2; Lk 12:56

Peter and Barnabas

Ga 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.

Many false teachers

Romans 16:17–18 NASB95

Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them. For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting.

See also 1 Ti 4:2; Php 1:17; Jud 16; 2 Ti 3:5

Examples of those who did not practise hypocrisy

Jesus Christ

1 Peter 2:21–22 NASB95

For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth;

See also Is 53:9; Jn 8:44–46

Paul and his companions

2 Corinthians 1:12 NASB95

For our proud confidence is this: the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and godly sincerity, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God, we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward you.

See also 2 Co 2:17; 1 Th 2:3–10