Hypocrites are individuals who profess to hold certain beliefs, values, or principles but act in a way that contradicts those beliefs. They may say one thing but do another, often intending to deceive or manipulate hypocrites implying that the individual is insincere or deceitful in their actions.
However, it is essential to note that everyone can be hypocritical to some extent. People often have conflicting desires or face situations where their actions do not align perfectly with their beliefs.
Regardless of the reasons behind hypocritical behavior, it is generally seen as unfavorable and can erode trust and relationships over time. It is essential to strive for consistency between one’s beliefs and actions to maintain the integrity and build strong, healthy relationships with others.
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Bible Verses About Hypocrites
1 John 4:20
If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.
Matthew 7:5
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.
James 1:26
If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.
Matthew 6:1
“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 7:1-5
“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? 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.
Matthew 15:7-9
You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said: “‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”
Romans 2:3
Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God?
1 John 2:9
Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness.
Luke 12:2
Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.
2 Timothy 3:5
Having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.
Titus 1:16
They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.
Matthew 7:15
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.
1 John 2:4
Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him,
Matthew 6:5
“And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.
James 2:14-26
What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. …
Matthew 6:2
“Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.
Matthew 7:21-23
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’
Matthew 23:23
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.
1 Peter 2:1
So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander.
1 Peter 2:16
Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.
Bible Verses about Hypocrites ESV
Matthew 23:15
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel across sea and land to make a single proselyte, and when he becomes a proselyte, you make him twice as much a child of hell as yourselves.
Matthew 6:16
“And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.
Matthew 23:27
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanness.
Matthew 23:13
“But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. For you neither enter yourselves nor allow those who would enter to go in.
Isaiah 29:13
And the Lord said: “Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men,
Psalm 101:7
No one who practices deceit shall dwell in my house; no one who utters lies shall continue before my eyes.
Psalm 55:21
His speech was smooth as butter, yet war was in his heart; his words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords.
Matthew 22:18
But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, “Why put me to the test, you hypocrites?
Galatians 6:3
For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
Mark 7:6
And he said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, “‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me;
God Hates Hypocrites Verse
Luke 16:15
And he said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.
Proverbs 11:9
With his mouth the godless man would destroy his neighbor, but by knowledge the righteous are delivered.
Luke 12:1
In the meantime, when so many thousands of the people had gathered together that they were trampling one another, he began to say to his disciples first, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
Luke 6:46
“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?
Matthew 23:5
They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long,
Bible Verse about Hypocrites Praying
Luke 16:15
And he said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.
Proverbs 11:9
With his mouth the godless man would destroy his neighbor, but by knowledge the righteous are delivered.
Luke 12:1
In the meantime, when so many thousands of the people had gathered together that they were trampling one another, he began to say to his disciples first, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
Luke 6:46
“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?
Matthew 23:5
They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long,
Consequences of Hypocrisy in the Bible
The Bible speaks powerfully against hypocrisy, claiming to hold beliefs or moral standards that one’s behavior does not reflect. Here are some consequences of hypocrisy mentioned in the Bible:
Condemnation:
The Bible strongly condemns hypocrisy, and God often rebukes and judges those who practice it. In Matthew 23:13-33, Jesus denounces the religious leaders of his time for their hypocrisy, calling them “whitewashed tombs” and “a brood of vipers.”
Loss of credibility:
Hypocrisy can cause a loss of credibility and trustworthiness. In Galatians 2:11-14, Paul confronts Peter for acting hypocritically by avoiding eating with Gentile Christians, which caused other Jewish Christians to follow his example. Paul argues that Peter’s behavior harmed the gospel message and undermined his leadership credibility.
Sinful behavior:
Hypocrisy can lead to sinful behavior and a lack of repentance. In Romans 2:1-3, Paul warns against judging others while practicing the same sins, saying that those who do so store God’s wrath for themselves.
Spiritual blindness:
Hypocrisy can also lead to spiritual blindness and a lack of self-awareness. In Matthew 7:1-5, Jesus warns against judging others while ignoring one’s faults, saying that those who do so are hypocrites and should first remove the plank from their eye before trying to remove the speck from someone else’s eye.
In the Bible, the term “hypocrite” describes someone who claims to have a particular belief or moral standard, but their actions do not align with those beliefs or ideals. The word “hypocrite” comes from the Greek word “hypocrites,” which means “actor” or “stage player.
Jesus frequently used the term “hypocrite” to criticize religious leaders who acted piously in public but did not follow the teachings of God in their private lives. In the Gospel of Matthew,
What Happens to Hypocrites in the Bible
Pharisees
Jesus frequently criticized the Pharisees for their hypocrisy. He accused them of being more concerned with outward appearances and following religious rules than genuinely serving God. In Matthew 23:27-28, Jesus says,
Ananias and Sapphira: In Acts 5:1-11,
Ananias and Sapphira sold a piece of property and lied about the amount they received for it. They pretended to give all the proceeds to the church, but they kept some for themselves. Peter condemned them for their hypocrisy, and they both died due to deception.
Judas Iscariot
Judas was one of Jesus’ disciples, but he betrayed him for thirty pieces of silver. He pretended to be a loyal follower of Jesus, but his actions revealed his true motivations.
In Matthew 26:23-24, Jesus says, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.”
These examples illustrate the severe consequences of hypocrisy in the Bible.
Hypocrisy is condemned as a sin because it involves deceiving others and pretending to be something you are not. We must strive for authenticity and honesty in all our lives and be true to our values and beliefs.
What Does the Bible say about Hypocrites?
- Matthew 23:13-15, 23-28 – Jesus warns the religious leaders of his time, calling them hypocrites and denouncing their false teachings and practices.
- Romans 12:9 – The apostle Paul urges Christians to “abhor what is evil; cling to what is good” and to live with sincerity and genuine love.
- James 1:22 – The book of James warns that we must not just hear God’s word but also do what it says, or we risk deceiving ourselves.
- Luke 6:42 – Jesus reminds us to take the plank out of our eye before we try to remove the speck from someone else’s eye, warning against hypocrisy and self-righteousness.
- Galatians 6:7-8 – Paul warns that we will reap what we sow, emphasizing the importance of living with integrity and honesty.
The Bible teaches that hypocrisy is a grave sin with devastating consequences. It warns against the dangers of self-righteousness and deceit and calls us to live with sincerity and authenticity in our relationship with God and others.
