Definition:
The term "dissembled" refers to the act of concealing one's true motives, feelings, or beliefs; to disguise or hide under a false appearance. In a biblical context, dissembling is often associated with hypocrisy, deceit, and insincerity, which are contrary to the values of truth and integrity upheld in Scripture.

Biblical References:
The concept of dissembling is addressed in various passages throughout the Bible, where it is often condemned as a form of deceit and hypocrisy. One notable instance is found in the New Testament, where the Apostle Paul confronts the Apostle Peter for his dissembling behavior.

· Galatians 2:11-13 : "When Cephas came to Antioch, however, I opposed him to his face, because he stood to be condemned. For before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself, for fear of those in the circumcision group. The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray."

In this passage, Peter (Cephas) is accused of dissembling by withdrawing from fellowship with Gentile believers out of fear of criticism from Jewish Christians. His actions are described as hypocritical, as they contradicted the truth of the Gospel that he professed to uphold.

Old Testament Context:
The Old Testament also addresses the issue of dissembling, often in the context of falsehood and deceit. The prophets frequently rebuked the Israelites for their insincere worship and false pretenses.

· Jeremiah 12:2 : "You planted them, and they have taken root; they grow and produce fruit. You are ever on their lips, but far from their hearts."

Here, the prophet Jeremiah laments the dissembling nature of the people, who outwardly profess devotion to God but inwardly are far from Him. This duplicity is seen as a grave sin, as it undermines the covenant relationship between God and His people.

Moral and Theological Implications:
Dissembling is viewed as a serious moral failing in the biblical narrative. It is often linked with the broader sin of hypocrisy, which Jesus Christ vehemently condemned during His earthly ministry. The Pharisees, for example, were frequently criticized by Jesus for their outward displays of piety that masked their inner corruption.

· Matthew 23:27-28 : "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of impurity. In the same way, on the outside you appear to be righteous, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness."

The call to authenticity and integrity is a recurring theme in Scripture. Believers are encouraged to live lives that are consistent with their professed faith, avoiding the pitfalls of dissembling and hypocrisy. The Apostle Paul exhorts Christians to "speak the truth in love" (Ephesians 4:15) and to "put away falsehood" (Ephesians 4:25), emphasizing the importance of sincerity in the Christian walk.

Practical Application:
In practical terms, the admonition against dissembling serves as a reminder for believers to examine their own lives for areas where they may be tempted to present a false front. It calls for a commitment to truthfulness in all interactions, both with God and with others, fostering a community built on trust and genuine relationships.(imp. & p. p.) of Dissemble.

Our Friends Take it Amiss that I have Spoken of the Origenists as ...
... measure, and not go beyond the bounds observed by Judith in her dealings with
Holofernes, whom she overcame by the wisdom with which she dissembled her words. ...
/.../18 our friends take it.htm

Charity and Rebuke.
... circumcision. And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that
Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/booth/godliness/chapter iv charity and rebuke.htm

The First Epistle General of Peter
... Peter was at Antioch, and weakly "dissembled" by disguising his belief in the truth
that the Gentile Christians were on the same spiritual level as the Jewish ...
/.../pullan/the books of the new testament/chapter xxi the first epistle.htm

The Historical Books of the New Testament, Meaning Thereby the ...
... xl. cl) that well known trait of dissembled vanity: " "Si quid est in me ingenii,
Judices, quod sentio quam sit exiguum;" " the quotation would be strong ...
/.../paley/evidences of christianity/section i the historical books.htm

Chap. xxxvii. While Occupied in this Plan, He Received Letters ...
... While occupied in this plan, he received letters from Constantine which deterred
him from proceeding in its execution, so for a time he dissembled his purpose ...
/.../of the manner in which the persecutors died/chap xxxvii while occupied in.htm

In which is Shewed and Discovered what is the False Humility, and ...
... other folks should know it. This is dissembled humility, and feigned, and
nothing but secret pride. 95. Theirs is the true humility ...
/.../the spiritual guide which disentangles the soul/chap x in which is.htm

Epistle ix. To the Clergy, Concerning Certain Presbyters who had ...
... that they could make good their claim to all things; I could dissemble and bear
the discredit of my episcopal authority, as I always have dissembled and borne ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle ix to the clergy.htm

Achan's Sin, Israel's Defeat
... they have also trangressed My covenant which I commanded them: for they have even
taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/achans sin israels defeat.htm

Antipater is Convicted by Bathyllus; but He Still Returns from ...
... him into his hands, and being also afraid lest he should some way come to the knowledge
how his affairs stood, and be upon his guard, he dissembled his anger ...
/.../chapter 31 antipater is convicted.htm

On Penitence
... 6. Was the penitence or repentance of the inhabitants of Tyre and Sidon, of which
Christ speaks in Matthew 11:21, dissembled and feigned, or true repentance? ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/on penitence.htm

Dissembled (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Dissemble. Multi-Version Concordance
Dissembled (3 Occurrences). Galatians 2:13 And the ...
/d/dissembled.htm - 7k

Dissemble (2 Occurrences)
... Galatians 2:13 And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that
Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation. ...
/d/dissemble.htm - 7k

Insomuch (24 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV). Galatians 2:13 And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch
that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation. (KJV ASV). ...
/i/insomuch.htm - 13k

Dissembler (1 Occurrence)

/d/dissembler.htm - 6k

Dissimulation (3 Occurrences)
... (KJV WBS). Galatians 2:13 And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch
that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation. ...
/d/dissimulation.htm - 7k

Hagar (15 Occurrences)
... haghar, "emigration," "flight"; Hagar, Agar): An Egyptian woman, the handmaid or
slave of Sarai; a present, perhaps, from Pharaoh when Abram dissembled to him ...
/h/hagar.htm - 22k

Accursed (26 Occurrences)
... they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even
taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and ...
/a/accursed.htm - 18k

Likewise (149 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Galatians 2:13 And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch
that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation. (KJV ASV WBS). ...
/l/likewise.htm - 35k

Cursed (115 Occurrences)
... they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even
taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and ...
/c/cursed.htm - 38k

Led (260 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Galatians 2:13 And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch
that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation. ...
/l/led.htm - 36k

Dissembled: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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