HYPOCRISY

Hypocrisy is translated from the Greek word "hupokrisis." According to Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, p. 241, said word "primarily denotes a reply, an answer (akin to hupokrinomai, to answer); then, play-acting, as the actors spoke in dialogue; hence, pretence, hypocrisy." Of the word "hypocrite" (Hupokrites) Vine states that it is...
...corresponding to the above, primarily denotes one who answers; then a stage-actor; it was a custom for Greek and Roman actors to speak in large masks with mechanical devices for augmenting the force of the voice; hence the word became used metaphorically of a dissembler, a hypocrite. It is found only in the Synoptists (Matthew, Mark, Luke - D.P.B.), and always used by the Lord,... (p. 242).

The writer of Proverbs declared: "An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered." (Proverbs 11:9). Warning us against placing our trust in a hypocrite the writer also penned: "Confidence in a unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint." (25:19).

Our Lord said of certain religous leaders of his day: "The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses's seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not ... But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!" (Matthew 23:2,3).

All faithful children of God must learn to live with the wickedness of the hypocrite. How often has the warm smile, pleasant comment to one's face and the friendly hand shake from one, who, like a viper when your back is turned, bites you in the heal! The writer of Proverbs well described one when he wrote in Proverbs 26:18-26:_As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death, So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport? Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross. He that hateth disembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him; When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart. Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.

Wicked and evil words come from an evil source; "for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh" (Matthew 12:34). Hence, such a person has "heart" trouble. Paul commanded Titus "To speak evil of no man..." (3:2). The hypocrite cares nothing for Paul's instruction because his heart is evil. Behind one's back he says the complete opposite of what he says to his prey's face. And, truly, to him they are his prey-something to be devoured to satisfy his voracious appetite which is sustained by pride, envy, and jealousy. All such characters desire is to come out "on top" (at any price as long as they do not have to pay it) and to appear in the eyes of their "public" as in complete control of all things._All such activity violates "the golden rule" (Matthew 7:12). Such an one has forgotten kindness and mercy. The hypocrite does not care that he hurts the one whom he slanders, for that he intends to do. But, he also hurts himself with God and, thereby, commits spiritual suicide.

The aforementioned character flaw is nothing less than the ragged wound of paranoia. It is self-inflicted because of an exaggerated degree of self-love that will play whatever part is necessary to gain one's selfish goals or keep secure whatever such a warped spirit thinks important. Suspicion runs rampant in this twisted mind. Woe be to the those whom such persons deem threatening to them and their positions. They have been known to crucify and stone people. Hence, with seared consciences, the Pharisee, the scribe-hypocrites all take their positions on the stage.

We close with the words of the John and James: "If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?" (I John 4:20). "I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead." (Revelation 3:1). "But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy." (James 3:17).

-David P. Brown

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