It's No Joke Being a Hypocrite Part 1

Hypocrites What Are You Masking?

Today the word HYPOCRITE stuck in my mind so I decided to research it out through the Word of God and see what it revealed.  I was surprised that many verses in the Old Testament (Hebrew Bible) and the New Testament use this word.

The first example I studied is:
Psalm 26:4 I have not sat with worthless folks, I won’t consort with hypocrites.

In this verse   חָנֵף (chaneph) is the Hebrew word used and it means to be GODLESS.  As a matter of fact that same word was found in Proverbs 11:9, Job 8:13, Job 13:16, and Job 17:8.      That's pretty strong!



In the New Testament the word used is  ὑποκριταὶ (hypokritai):

Matthew 6:5 When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites, who love to pray standing in the synagogues and on street corners, so that people can see them. Yes! I tell you, they have their reward already!

In this instance and also in verses Matthew 6:2, Matthew 6:5, Matthew 6:16, Matthew 7:5, Matthew 15:7, Luke 13:15, and Galatians 2:13, the New Testament reveals that hypocrites are people who are actors.  They do not live the word of God in a TRUE way, but merely play out a role.  It also identifies these people as dissemblers, meaning that they hide under a false pretense.

Who are the Godless?

Those Spreading Lies About God:

Isaiah 32:6 for the mean person will speak meanness, his heart planning evil, so that he can act godlessly, spreading error concerning ADONAI, as he lets the hungry go on starving and deprives the thirsty of drink.

Those Who Suppress Truth About God:

Romans 1:18 What is revealed is God’s anger from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people who in their wickedness keep suppressing the truth;

Those Who Practice Myths and Legends:

God tells us to reject this manner of living in 1 Timothy 4:7 But refuse and avoid irreverent legends (profane and impure and godless fictions, mere grandmothers’ tales) and silly myths, and express your disapproval of them. Train yourself toward godliness (piety), [keeping yourself spiritually fit].

Those Who Seek Ungodly Passion:

Jude 1:18  They told you beforehand, In the last days (in the end time) there will be scoffers [who seek to gratify their own unholy desires], following after their own ungodly passions.

Those Who Do Not Value What God Has Given:

Hebrews 12:16 and that no one is sexually immoral, or godless like Esau, who in exchange for a single meal gave up his rights as the firstborn.

Those Who Live By Their Own Commands:

Matthew 7:23 Then I will tell them to their faces, ‘I never knew you! Get away from me, you workers of lawlessness!’

When we combine the meaning of hypocrite found in the Old Testament GODLESS, with its meaning in the New Testament ACTORS HIDING UNDER FALSE PRETENSE, what does that tell us about our personal walk with God?

For me, it gives me a sense of responsibility to be a Truth Seeker.  It also dictates that I not only seek truth but I reject lies about God.  The Word of God is to be handled with care and integrity, we often forget that, misquoting the word or taking it out of context.  To the Almighty God this must be such an offense...In this day and age we have been told so many lies about the Bible it is very hard to sift to the Truth but it is possible.  That is why I am searching out the Hebraic roots of the word.  I hope to unveil more of that in this and future studies.

Follow me for more posts on this subject and others.  Until then shalom and may Yeshua be your peace and blessing!