Hypocrites in the Church

There is no telling how many Christians have given up on Christ and the church because of the
presence of hypocrites among God’s people. There are perhaps even more who have never
even given the Bible and Christianity a chance because of the hypocrisy of folks who profess to
be Christians. Even if you have never given up on the church altogether, you most likely have
been discouraged at some point for the number of hypocrites among Bible-believing people.
What does the Bible have to say about hypocrites in the church? What should our reaction be
to this reality? What does this problem say about the Christian religion?

First, a definition is in order. Let us make sure we understand what hypocrisy is, and what it is
not. The Greek word translated "hypocrite" in our New Testaments literally means actor or
stage-player. As used in a religious context, a hypocrite was one who, when he was around
others, played a role or part that was not characteristic of his real life. For "hypocrisy"
Webster gives: a feigning to be what one is not or to believe what one does not; especially,
the false assumption of an appearance of virtue or religion [Webster's Ninth New Collegiate
Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., Springfield, MA, 1987]. From the above definitions,
someone who in the presence of others gives the impression that he cares for spiritual things
but who really does not and who in secret never pursues spiritual things, is a hypocrite. A
person who publicly fights for the rights of the underprivileged and neglected and privately
walks all over the poor and mocks the weak is a hypocrite. Those in Jesus’ day who
condemned him for healing a man on the Sabbath but who themselves would and did perform
what they considered good and necessary deeds on the Sabbath were hypocrites. Peter acted
as a hypocrite on one occasion. Peter, having previously preached to and having associated
with Gentiles, withdrew from them when Jewish friends were around. Paul called him out for
his "dissimulation" or hypocrisy (Galatians 2:11-13). [Peter repented.] Many of the scribes and
Pharisees, who "outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within are full of hypocrisy and
iniquity," were hypocrites (Matthew 23:27-28).

Some, however, throw around the word "hypocrite" ignorantly or carelessly, making unfair
accusations against good, but imperfect, people. For example, a Christian who believes in and
encourages pure moral living, but who struggles from time to time in his own life with
impurity, is not necessarily a hypocrite. Christians do fall from time to time; this is an indicator
of our fleshly frailties, not of hypocrisy. When genuine Christians fall, they are remorseful and
determine to do better in the future. That is not characteristic of actors or hypocrites. Also, for
an individual to teach something now that they did not personally apply at some point in the
past does not necessarily amount to hypocrisy. Parents who were once into drinking, partying,
and reveling, but who have since cleaned up their lives and now condemn those practices to
their children are not hypocrites. Finally, preachers and teachers who do not perfectly live out
the messages which they bring from the Bible are not necessarily hypocrites. It is the
responsibility of teachers to accurately represent what the Bible says on every subject; it is not
possible that they or any other Christians perfectly keep and do what the Bible teaches on
every subject. A preacher who teaches what the Bible has to say about our speech will note
that lying, bitterness, gossip, and a loose tongue are to be absent from Christian living. For
him to teach as much but to personally have to fight to control his tongue is not a case of
hypocrisy. For teachers and preachers to portray themselves to be something they are not, or
for them to encourage others to do what they have no intentions of doing personally (cf.
Matthew 23:2-4), is hypocrisy.

THE REALITY OF HYPOCRITES IN THE CHURCH

It is not uncommon for people to label a Christian who has committed sin in any way a
"hypocrite." Often it is uncalled for. There still remains the fact, however, that real hypocrisy
exists among some of God’s people. There are some who profess godliness but who live in
ungodliness. There are those who give the pretense of loving God and his word but who really
do not. Jesus never said that all who would ever become his followers would always remain
true followers. In fact, he expressed the reality that not all who became Christians would
remain Christians, and that not all who professed to be Christians would really live as
Christians. Other New Testament writers spoke of false brethren (fake Christians, Galatians
2:4), pretentious preachers (Philippians 1:15-18), folks who professed to know God but who
denied him by their works (Titus 1:16), and the real possibility of dissimulation (hypocrisy)
being in the church (Romans 12:9). The most explicit text dealing with the subject is 1
Timothy 4:1-2, in which Paul warned that many would depart from the faith and be eaten up
with hypocrisy. We do not deny that there have always been and there are now hypocrites
among those who profess to be Christians. There always have been and always will be some
who become part of the church but later give up on spiritual living, though still trying to give an
impression of righteousness and spirituality to others.

THE REASON FOR HYPOCRISY IN THE CHURCH

Some have falsely reasoned that the presence of hypocrites in Christianity indicates serious
flaws in the Christian system itself. It is supposed that if Christianity really is a God-originated
system, there would be no hypocrites part of it. This fails on several accounts. First, it has
already been noted that the religion’s founder, Jesus Christ, expressed the reality of hypocrites
scattered among his followers. If anything, then, the existence of hypocrites strengthens the
case for Christianity--its founder and early leaders never tried to dupe people into thinking all
would be perfect for its followers. They foresaw and forewarned against the problems we
face today. Second, it is when the Bible is rejected, not when it is followed, that hypocrites
emerge. Christianity is perfect from the divine standpoint--it is perfectly designed, ruled,
directed by God; but imperfect from the human standpoint--human beings do not always
follow God’s design, comply with his rule, or go in the direction the faithful church is headed.
The reason for hypocrisy has nothing to do with the design or designer of Christianity, but has
everything to do with the hearts and actions of individuals. When Peter and his companions
acted as hypocrites on that occasion, Paul described their actions as being "not according to
the truth of the gospel" (Galatians 2:14). The fault was with Peter and his companions, not
with the gospel. A "Christian" who takes advantage of people, has no concern for his neighbor,
and speaks crudely and unkindly is really not being a Christian at all; what people see in him is
not Christianity, but a failure to live Christianity. Please make the distinction.

OUR RESPONSE TO THE PRESENCE OF HYPOCRITES IN THE CHURCH

We have noted some common responses to the hypocrisy of some who call themselves
Christians or members of the church. Some use it as an excuse to stay away from Christianity
and out of the church. "Why would I want to be part of a religion full of hypocrites?" is often
heard. "I just can never be part of the church as long as that hypocrite, Mr. X, is there," is
another common line. What will be our response? Will we give up on the only way to be saved
(Acts 4:12) just because other folks are hypocrites? Will you spit in the face of the crucified
Son of God just because one-hundred percent of the population is not involved in sincerely
following him? That would make as much sense as giving up on justice, fairness, and what is
right just because we have some corrupt judges and law enforcement officers in legal
systems.

In refusing to be a faithful part of the church you not only assign yourself an eternity in hell,
but you also are doing your best to help others go there as well. You withhold support and
help from genuine believers, and your example discourages others from living a life that leads
to heaven. Will you do that because of the way hypocrites live their lives? Yes, it hurts and
discourages us to learn of hypocrites among God’s people; but only pathetic cowards give up
on the Christian life on the basis of what folks with corrupt hearts are doing.

It should be noted that hypocrites, when they are found out among us, should be rebuked and
eventually cut off from us where repentance does not follow (1 Corinthians 5:1-13). They hurt
the church and cannot be allowed to be associated with the faithful, those living genuine
Christianity.

THE REWARD OF THE HYPOCRITE

Some people can put on a pretty good show. They can really make us think that they are
pious, spiritual, and good. They might even be looked up to by many for their great devotion
and strength. Hypocrites might fool us for a while, but you can be assured that any such praise
they receive on earth will be the extent of their reward (Matthew 6:2, 5, 16). Another
"reward" awaits those who don a mask and wear the name of Christianity, but whose hearts
and lives are far from God. "The congregation of hypocrites shall be desolate" (Job 15:34).
Their twofaced lifestyle might go unnoticed among men, and all might appear well with the
dissimulator, but "the hypocrite’s hope shall perish" (Job 8:13). They might approach God as if
they were one of his worshippers, but come into his presence they will not (Job 13:16). Job
and his companions were wrong about a lot of things and did not always correctly apply true
principles, but they got it right when they noted these principles and when they posed the
rhetorical questions, is not "the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment?" and "what is the hope
of the hypocrite, though he hath gained, when God taketh away his soul (Job 20:5; 27:8)?"
The hypocrite might get by in this life, but will be dealt with in the judgment to come. In the
New Testament we read that Jesus will take care of the hypocrites when he comes again,
having appointed a place of weeping and suffering for them (Matthew 24:50-51).

CONCLUSION

Yes, there are hypocrites among those who claim to be followers of Christ. There are
hypocrites in many congregations; sometimes they are found out, other times they are not.
Their hypocrisy, however, should not deter us from serving God faithfully. Our reward depends
upon our own personal faithfulness to Jesus; God will take care of the actors and hypocrites in
his righteous judgment. Don’t miss heaven because of hypocrites.