Playing

The

Greek – [hypokrisis]acting under a feigned part, i.e.

(figuratively) deceit ("hypocrisy") (Strong’s)

from Gk. hypokrisis "acting on the stage, pretense," from hypokrinesthai "play a part, pretend," also "answer," from hypo- "under" (see sub-) + middle voice of krinein "to sift, decide" (see crisis). The sense evolution is from "separate gradually" to "answer" to "answer a fellow actor on stage" to "play a part." Thus hypocrite (c.1225) is ult. Gk. hypokrites "actor on the stage, pretender.”

(Online Etymology Dictionary)

Definition - Hypocrisy

A Case StudyThe Scribes & Pharisees

• Expect more of others than of themselves (3-4)

• Do what they do to be seen of men (5)

• They love attention (positions of influence) (5-7)

• Woes pronounced (13,14,15,16,23,25,27,29)

• Inward corruption (25-28)

• False claims of righteousness (29-31)

• Condemned! (33)

Matthew 23:1-33

Luke 12:1In the meantime, when an

innumerable multitude of people had gathered together, so that they trampled one another, He began to say to His disciples first of all, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.”

Disciples warned against it…

Romans 12:9Let love be without hypocrisy.

Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.

Love, in fact, is antithetical to Hypocrisy. One is selfless,

the other selfish.

James 3:14-17But if you have bitter envy and

self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. 16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.

1 Peter 2:1-3Therefore, laying aside all malice,

all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, 2 as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

Now that I’m a Christian, no more deceitfulness…

Motives of the Hypocrite•Preeminence (Power)

– Diotrephes (3 John 9-11)

3 John 9-11I wrote to the church, but

Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, does not receive us. 10 Therefore, if I come, I will call to mind his deeds which he does, prating against us with malicious words. And not content with that, he himself does not receive the brethren, and forbids those who wish to, putting them out of the church. 11 Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God.

Motives of the Hypocrite•Preeminence (Power)

– Diotrephes (3 John 9-11)

•Advantage– Nefarious plots (Matthew 22:15-

18)

Matthew 22:15-18Then the Pharisees went and

plotted how they might entangle Him in His talk. 16 And they sent to Him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that You are true, and teach the way of God in truth; nor do You care about anyone, for You do not regard the person of men. 17 Tell us, therefore, what do You think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” 18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, “Why do you test Me, you hypocrites?”

Motives of the Hypocrite•Preeminence (Power)

– Diotrephes (3 John 9-11)

•Advantage– Nefarious plots (Matthew 22:15-

18)

•Attention– Pharisees (Matthew 23:5-7)

Matthew 23:5-7But all their works they do

to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments. 6 They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, 7 greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, “Rabbi, Rabbi.”

Motives of the Hypocrite•Preeminence (Power)

– Diotrephes (3 John 9-11)

•Advantage– Nefarious plots (Matthew 22:15-18)

•Attention– Pharisees (Matthew 23:5-7)

•Deception– Pharisees again (Matthew 23:27-28)

Matthew 23:27-28Woe to you, scribes and

Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness. 28 Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

ConclusionBeing a pretend Christian may allow you to fool all of the men all of the time…

But you can’t fool God!