Hypocrisy (Greek Word Study)

Hypocrisy (Greek Word Study) By Mark Mayberry 7/24/2011 Introduction The New Testament contains a family of Greek words that communicate the concept of hypocrisy. The Greek verb hupokrinomai, which originally meant to answer and later to play a part on the stage, occurs once in Scripture, where it means to pretend, make believe, or dissemble. The noun hupokrisis, occurring 6 times and only in a negative sense, refers to hypocrisy, pretense, playacting, or putting on an outward show. The noun hupokritēs, occurring 18 times, refers metaphorically to one who is an actor, i.e., a pretender, dissembler, or hypocrite. Additionally, the adjective anupokritos, occurring 6 times, pertains to that which is without pretense or hypocrisy, i.e., genuine and sincere. Finally, the verb sunupokrinomai occurs once and means to join with others in pretense or hypocrisy. The Verb Hupokrinomai The Greek verb hupokrinomai, which originally meant to answer and later to play a part on the stage, occurs once in Scripture, where it means to pretend, make believe, or dissemble. Thomas defines [hupokrinomai] as a compound of hupo [by, under] and krinō [to judge, decide], meaning to answer, reply, to answer on a stage, to pretend [5271]. BDAG say this word (which originally meant answer and then in Attic play a part on the stage ) means to pretend, make believe, dissemble. This word occurs once in the NT (Luke 20:20). Luke 20:20 (NASB95) 20 So they watched Him, and sent spies who *pretended to be righteous, in order that they might catch Him in some statement, so that they could deliver Him to the rule and the authority of the governor. The Feminine Noun Hupokrisis The noun hupokrisis, occurring 6 times and only in a negative sense, refers to hypocrisy, pretense, playacting, putting on an outward show. Thomas defines [hupokrisis] as from hupokrinomai [to answer, reply, to answer on a stage, to pretend], meaning a reply, answer, playacting, hypocrisy [5272]. 1

BDAG say this word, which in Biblical literature occurs only in a negative sense, means to create a public impression that is at odds with one s real purposes or motivations, play-acting, pretense, outward show, dissembling. This word occurs 6x in the NT (Matt. 23:28; Mark 12:15; Luke 12:1; Gal. 2:13; 1 Tim. 4:2; 1 Pet. 2:1). Matthew 23:28 (NASB95) 28 So you, too, outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of *hypocrisy and lawlessness. Mark 12:15 (NASB95) 15 Shall we pay or shall we not pay? But He, knowing their *hypocrisy, said to them, Why are you testing Me? Bring Me a denarius to look at. Luke 12:1 (NASB95) 1 Under these circumstances, after so many thousands of people had gathered together that they were stepping on one another, He began saying to His disciples first of all, Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is *hypocrisy. Galatians 2:13 (NASB95) 13 The rest of the Jews joined him in *hypocrisy, with the result that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy. 1 Timothy 4:2 (NASB95) 2 by means of the *hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron, 1 Peter 2:1 (NASB95) 1 Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and *hypocrisy and envy and all slander, The Masculine Noun Hupokritēs The noun hupokritēs, occurring 18 times, refers metaphorically to one who is an actor, i.e., a pretender, dissembler, or hypocrite. Thomas defines [hupokritēs] as derived from hupokrinomai [to answer, reply, to answer on a stage, to pretend], meaning one who answers, an actor, a hypocrite [5273]. BDAG say it is used in our literature only metaphorically, [referring to an] actor, in the sense pretender, dissembler. This word occurs 18x in the NT (Matt. 6:2, 5, 16; 7:5; 15:7; 22:18; 23:13, 14, 15, 23, 25, 27, 29; 24:51; Mark 7:6; Luke 6:42; 12:56; 13:15). Matthew 6:2 (NASB95) 2 So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the *hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. Matthew 6:5 (NASB95) 5 When you pray, you are not to be like the *hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. 2

Matthew 6:16 (NASB95) 16 Whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the *hypocrites do, for they neglect their appearance so that they will be noticed by men when they are fasting. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. Matthew 7:5 (NASB95) 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. Matthew 15:7 (NASB95) 7 You *hypocrites, rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you: Matthew 22:18 (NASB95) 18 But Jesus perceived their malice, and said, Why are you testing Me, you *hypocrites? Matthew 23:13 (NASB95) 13 But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, *hypocrites, because you shut off the kingdom of heaven from people; for you do not enter in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in. Matthew 23:14 (NASB95) 14 [ Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, *hypocrites, because you devour widows houses, and for a pretense you make long prayers; therefore you will receive greater condemnation.] Matthew 23:15 (NASB95) 15 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, *hypocrites, because you travel around on sea and land to make one proselyte; and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves. Matthew 23:23 (NASB95) 23 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, *hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others. Matthew 23:25 (NASB95) 25 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, *hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside they are full of robbery and self-indulgence. Matthew 23:27 (NASB95) 27 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, *hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men s bones and all uncleanness. Matthew 23:29 (NASB95) 29 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, *hypocrites! For you build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the monuments of the righteous, Matthew 24:51 (NASB95) 51 and will cut him in pieces and assign him a place with the *hypocrites; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Mark 7:6 (NASB95) 6 And He said to them, Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you *hypocrites, as it is written: This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far away from Me. 3

Luke 6:42 (NASB95) 42 Or how can you say to your brother, Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye, when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You *hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother s eye. Luke 12:56 (NASB95) 56 You *hypocrites! You know how to analyze the appearance of the earth and the sky, but why do you not analyze this present time? Luke 13:15 (NASB95) 15 But the Lord answered him and said, You *hypocrites, does not each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the stall and lead him away to water him? The Adjective Anupokritos The adjective anupokritos, a compound of the negative prefix and hupokrinomai, occurring 6 times, pertains to that which is without pretense or hypocrisy, i.e., genuine and sincere. Thomas defines [anupokritos] as a compound of the negative prefix and hupokrinomai [5271], meaning, unhypocritical, unfeigned [505]. BDAG say it pertains to being without pretense, genuine, sincere, literally without play-acting. This word occurs 6x in the NT (Rom. 12:9; 2 Cor. 6:6; 1 Tim. 1:5; 2 Tim. 1:5; James 3:17; 1 Pet. 1:22). Romans 12:9 (NASB95) 9 Let love be *without *hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. 2 Corinthians 6:6 (NASB95) 6 in purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in *genuine love, 1 Timothy 1:5 (NASB95) 5 But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a *sincere faith. 2 Timothy 1:5 (NASB95) 5 For I am mindful of the *sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well. James 3:17 (NASB95) 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, *without *hypocrisy. 1 Peter 1:22 (NASB95) 22 Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a *sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart, 4

The Compound Verb Sunupokrinomai The verb sunupokrinomai, a compound of sun [with] and hupokrinomai [to pretend], occurs once and means to join with others in pretense or hypocrisy. Thomas defines [sunupokrinomai] as a compound of sun [with, together with] and hupokrinomai [to answer, reply, to answer on a stage, to pretend], meaning to play a part with [4942]. BDAG say it means to join in playing a part or pretending, join in pretense/hypocrisy. This word occurs once in the NT (Gal. 2:13). Galatians 2:13 (NASB95) 13 The rest of the Jews *joined him *in *hypocrisy, with the result that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy. Examples of Hypocrisy The Enemies of Jesus The opponents of Jesus often evidenced hypocrisy in their efforts to trap Him. This was especially true in their question about paying tribute to Caesar (Matt. 22:15-22; Mark 12:13-17; Luke 20:19-26). Matthew 22:15-22 (NASB95) 15 Then the Pharisees went and plotted together how they might trap Him in what He said. 16 And they sent their disciples to Him, along with the Herodians, saying, Teacher, we know that You are truthful and teach the way of God in truth, and defer to no one; for You are not partial to any. 17 Tell us then, what do You think? Is it lawful to give a poll-tax to Caesar, or not? 18 But Jesus perceived their malice, and said, Why are you testing Me, you *hypocrites? 19 Show Me the coin used for the poll-tax. And they brought Him a denarius. 20 And He said to them, Whose likeness and inscription is this? 21 They said to Him, Caesar s. Then He said to them, Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar s; and to God the things that are God s. 22 And hearing this, they were amazed, and leaving Him, they went away. Mark 12:13-17 (NASB95) 13 Then they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Him in order to trap Him in a statement. 14 They came and said to Him, Teacher, we know that You are truthful and defer to no one; for You are not partial to any, but teach the way of God in truth. Is it lawful to pay a poll-tax to Caesar, or not? 15 Shall we pay or shall we not pay? But He, knowing their *hypocrisy, said to them, Why are you testing Me? Bring Me a denarius to look at. 16 They brought one. And He said to them, Whose likeness and inscription is this? And they said to Him, Caesar s. 17 And Jesus said to them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar s, and to God the things that are God s. And they were amazed at Him. 5

Luke 20:19-26 (NASB95) 19 The scribes and the chief priests tried to lay hands on Him that very hour, and they feared the people; for they understood that He spoke this parable against them. 20 So they watched Him, and sent spies who *pretended to be righteous, in order that they might catch Him in some statement, so that they could deliver Him to the rule and the authority of the governor. 21 They questioned Him, saying, Teacher, we know that You speak and teach correctly, and You are not partial to any, but teach the way of God in truth. 22 Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? 23 But He detected their trickery and said to them, 24 Show Me a denarius. Whose likeness and inscription does it have? They said, Caesar s. 25 And He said to them, Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar s, and to God the things that are God s. 26 And they were unable to catch Him in a saying in the presence of the people; and being amazed at His answer, they became silent. It was also seen in their inconsistent approach to the Sabbath (Luke 13:10-17). Luke 13:10-17 (NASB95) 10 And He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. 11 And there was a woman who for eighteen years had had a sickness caused by a spirit; and she was bent double, and could not straighten up at all. 12 When Jesus saw her, He called her over and said to her, Woman, you are freed from your sickness. 13 And He laid His hands on her; and immediately she was made erect again and began glorifying God. 14 But the synagogue official, indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, began saying to the crowd in response, There are six days in which work should be done; so come during them and get healed, and not on the Sabbath day. 15 But the Lord answered him and said, You *hypocrites, does not each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the stall and lead him away to water him? 16 And this woman, a daughter of Abraham as she is, whom Satan has bound for eighteen long years, should she not have been released from this bond on the Sabbath day? 17 As He said this, all His opponents were being humiliated; and the entire crowd was rejoicing over all the glorious things being done by Him. The Scribes and Pharisees In Matthew Chapter Twenty-Three, Jesus repeatedly denounced the Scribes and Pharisees for their hypocrisy (Matt. 23:13, 14, 15, 23, 25, 27, 28, 29-30). Matthew 23:13 (NASB95) 13 But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, *hypocrites, because you shut off the kingdom of heaven from people; for you do not enter in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in. Matthew 23:14 (NASB95) 14 [ Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, *hypocrites, because you devour widows houses, and for a pretense you make long prayers; therefore you will receive greater condemnation.] Matthew 23:15 (NASB95) 15 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, *hypocrites, because you travel around on sea and land to make one proselyte; and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves. 6

Matthew 23:23 (NASB95) 23 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, *hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others. Matthew 23:25 (NASB95) 25 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, *hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside they are full of robbery and self-indulgence. Matthew 23:27 (NASB95) 27 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, *hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men s bones and all uncleanness. Matthew 23:28 (NASB95) 28 So you, too, outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of *hypocrisy and lawlessness. Matthew 23:29-30 (NASB95) 29 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, *hypocrites! For you build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the monuments of the righteous, 30 and say, If we had been living in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partners with them in shedding the blood of the prophets. Peter and the Jews In like manner, Paul publically opposed Peter/Cephas for cowardly and hypocritical behavior toward Gentile disciples (Gal. 2:11-14). Galatians 2:11-14 (NASB95) 11 But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. 12 For prior to the coming of certain men from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he began to withdraw and hold himself aloof, fearing the party of the circumcision. 13 The rest of the Jews *joined him *in *hypocrisy, with the result that even Barnabas was carried away by their *hypocrisy. 14 But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in the presence of all, If you, being a Jew, live like the Gentiles and not like the Jews, how is it that you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews? Areas of Avoidance We should avoid hypocrisy in benevolence/giving (Matt. 6:1-4). Matthew 6:1-4 (NASB95) 1 Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven. 2 So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the *hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. 7

We should avoid hypocrisy in prayer (Matt. 6:5-6). Matthew 6:5-6 (NASB95) 5 When you pray, you are not to be like the *hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. 6 But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. We should avoid hypocrisy in fasting (Matt. 6:16-18). Matthew 6:16-18 (NASB95) 16 Whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the *hypocrites do, for they neglect their appearance so that they will be noticed by men when they are fasting. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. 17 But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face 18 so that your fasting will not be noticed by men, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. We should avoid hypocrisy in judgment (Matt. 7:1-5; Luke 6:39-42). Matthew 7:1-5 (NASB95) 1 Do not judge so that you will not be judged. 2 For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. 3 Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, Let me take the speck out of your eye, and behold, the log is in your own eye? 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. Luke 6:39-42 (NASB95) 39 And He also spoke a parable to them: A blind man cannot guide a blind man, can he? Will they not both fall into a pit? 40 A pupil is not above his teacher; but everyone, after he has been fully trained, will be like his teacher. 41 Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 42 Or how can you say to your brother, Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye, when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You *hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother s eye. We should avoid hypocrisy in doctrine (Matt. 15:7-9; Mark 7:6-8; 1 Tim. 4:1-3). Matthew 15:7-9 (NASB95) 7 You *hypocrites, rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you: 8 This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far away from Me. 9 But in vain do they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the precepts of men. Mark 7:6-8 (NASB95) 6 And He said to them, Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you *hypocrites, as it is written: This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far away from Me. 7 But in vain do they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the precepts of men. 8 Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men. 8

1 Timothy 4:1-3 (NASB95) 1 But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 by means of the *hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron, 3 men who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth. We should avoid hypocrisy in influence (Luke 12:1-3). Luke 12:1-3 (NASB95) 1 Under these circumstances, after so many thousands of people had gathered together that they were stepping on one another, He began saying to His disciples first of all, Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is *hypocrisy. 2 But there is nothing covered up that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known. 3 Accordingly, whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in the inner rooms will be proclaimed upon the housetops. We should avoid hypocrisy in discernment (Luke 12:54-57). Luke 12:54-57 (NASB95) 54 And He was also saying to the crowds, When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, A shower is coming, and so it turns out. 55 And when you see a south wind blowing, you say, It will be a hot day, and it turns out that way. 56 You *hypocrites! You know how to analyze the appearance of the earth and the sky, but why do you not analyze this present time? 57 And why do you not even on your own initiative judge what is right? Areas of Application Christian faith must be sincere, i.e., without hypocrisy (1 Tim. 1:5; 2 Tim. 1:5). 1 Timothy 1:5 (NASB95) 5 But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a *sincere faith. 2 Timothy 1:5 (NASB95) 5 For I am mindful of the *sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well. The same applies to all forms of Christian love, both agape and philos (Rom. 12:9; 2 Cor. 6:6; 1 Pet. 1:22-23). Romans 12:9 (NASB95) 9 Let love be *without *hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. 2 Corinthians 6:6 (NASB95) 6 in purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in *genuine love, 1 Peter 1:22-23 (NASB95) 22 Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a *sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart, 23 for 9

you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God. In like manner, the wisdom from above is without hypocrisy (James 3:17). James 3:17 (NASB95) 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, *without *hypocrisy. Conclusion Laying aside hypocrisy and other related sins, we should desire the pure milk of the word, so that we may grow in respect to salvation (1 Pet. 2:1-3). Let us hear and heed. Calamity will overtake the unprepared and unregenerate: On that final day, they will be assigned a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matt. 24:44-51). 1 Peter 2:1-3 (NASB95) 1 Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and *hypocrisy and envy and all slander, 2 like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, 3 if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord. Matthew 24:44-51 (NASB95) 44 For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will. 45 Who then is the faithful and sensible slave whom his master put in charge of his household to give them their food at the proper time? 46 Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes. 47 Truly I say to you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions. 48 But if that evil slave says in his heart, My master is not coming for a long time, 49 and begins to beat his fellow slaves and eat and drink with drunkards; 50 the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour which he does not know, 51 and will cut him in pieces and assign him a place with the *hypocrites; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 10