Hypocrite (ὑποκριτής)

The term hypocrite (ὑποκριτής) means “to act” as in a public performance. Even though this word is transliterated into English from the Greek, its meaning did come over in a way that describes what the Greek word represents because we understand it as one who does not do what they instruct others to do—they are in essentially acting.

Just as the leaders of Israel did in their time, many false teachers come today like the Pharisees and Scribes, themselves being hypocrites as they seek to suppress the truth and keep people from salvation. The Pharisees and Scribes sought to keep the Israelites away from the Kingdom of the Heavens (Matthew 23:13). Today false teachers desire to turn people away from the grace of God by bringing a different gospel to pervert the gospel of the Christ (Galatians 1:7).

The Pharisees devoured widows’ houses (Matthew 23:14). Those coming today preaching the prosperity gospel—claiming gain is godliness—take money from the poor for their own gain. They ignor that pure and undefiled religion before God involves taking care of the widows and orphans, and to remain unspotted from this world, which seeks wealth above all else (James 1:27). Just as the Pharisees and Scribes made proselytes that where twice the sons of Gehenna as they were (Matthew 23:15), many TV evangelists produce false teachers that are far worse than they are at stealing from and deceiving people, all while being hypocrites as they teach others to do as they say, not what they do.

When we fully grasp the true sense of this word hypocrite, we will no longer put actors, actresses, singers, and politicians in a place of high esteem, recognizing that by the very nature of their actions they are hypocrites.

As Christians, our faith and love are to be without acting (hypocrisy). This can only happen when we are living a life that expresses a proper opinion of who we are in Christ—resulting from a mind set on the things above and abiding in The Christ.

Love is not merely expressed in words but demonstrated through actions. If we say we love God, then our actions should show this love by loving the brethren, not the world. Faith without works is dead. Saying you believe something has no value if your actions do not show you believe it.

While there are times we struggle with taking God at His Word, primarily because we want to do it our way, let us put off hypocrisy—stop acting—and genuinely live out the life God has given to us in Christ by living out what we say we believe.

No one likes a hypocrite, yet many often follow leaders who embody hypocrisy. From politicians who make promises each election year only to immediately fail to honor them as soon as they are reelected, to pastors who misapply Old Testament information instructing us to follow practices that are contrary to the healthy words from our Lord—all the while stealing from us through tithing so they benefit.

Jesus instructs the Jews to not imitate the hypocrites in their merciful works, for they sound a trumpet concerning what they are about to do, for the glory of men (Matthew 6:2). He then addresses the hypocrite who prays in a public setting, for the purpose of drawing attention from and getting the admiration of men (Matthew 6:5). Furthermore, we must not overlook the hypocrites who fast in a manner that deliberately displays their suffering to others (Matthew 6:16), as well as those who are quick to point out the faults of others while neglecting to address their own (Matthew 7:5).

While rebuking the religious leaders of Israel for their hypocrisy, Jesus calls them out for being hypocrites. They “dedicate” their money to God so they could avoid supporting their parents and therefore ignore the requirements of the Mosaic Law (Matthew 15:7). Though they honor God with their lips, their hearts remain far from Him (Mark 7:6). They claim to be upright in their actions, while soliciting malignant evil to do their bidding (Matthew 22:18). They condemn others for working on the Sabbath, when they would not hesitate to rescue their animals on the Sabbath (Luke 13:15). They analyze the sky, claiming to know what is coming, yet cannot discern the times (Luke 12:56). All the while, they pretend to be righteous (Luke 20:20).

Examples of Pharisaic Hypocrisy:

Prioritizing Tithes Over Justice and Mercy: They tithe mint, dill, and cumin while neglecting the weightier matters of the law—justice, mercy, and faithfulness (Matthew 23:23).

Outward Cleanliness, Inward Corruption: They maintain a clean outward appearance but are full of greed and self-indulgence within (Matthew 23:25).

Whitewashed Tombs: They appear righteous on the outside but are inwardly filled with hypocrisy and lawlessness, like whitewashed tombs—beautiful on the outside but full of defilement within (Matthew 23:27).

Hypocrisy in Actions: They claim to honor the prophets and denounce the sins of their ancestors, yet they perpetuate the same violence and sin, proving themselves guilty of the very things they condemn (Matthew 23:29-35).

The Leaven of Their Teachings: Their doctrines, likened to leaven, seeks to display those who follow them as more righteous than they truly are (Luke 12:1).

New Testament Examples and Instructions Regarding Hypocrisy:

Peter's Hypocrisy with Gentiles: Peter withdrew from the Gentiles when Jews from Jerusalem arrived, leading others into hypocrisy, including Barnabas (Galatians 2:13).

Apostasy in the Latter Times: In the latter times, some will turn away from the faith, giving heed to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, displaying hypocrisy through their lies (1 Timothy 4:1-4).

A Call to Put Off Hypocrisy: Believers are exhorted to rid themselves of all malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander (1 Peter 2:1).

Unhypocritical Love: Love must be sincere and without hypocrisy, abhorring evil and clinging to what is proper (Romans 12:9).

Wisdom from Above: The wisdom that comes from above is pure, peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, and without hypocrisy (James 3:17).

Spiritual Leaders (Pastors) Characteristics and Responsibilities:

Instruction in Love from a Pure Heart: Spiritual leaders are called to teach with love that flows from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere (unhypocritical) faith (1 Timothy 1:5).

Obedience to the Truth for Purity of Soul: By obeying the truth, believers—and by extension, their leaders—are to purify their souls for a sincere (unhypocritical) love of the brethren (1 Peter 1:22).

Commending Themselves as Servants of God: Pastors and spiritual leaders must demonstrate their service to God through purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, and sincere (unhypocritical) love (2 Corinthians 6:6).