Hypocrites: Self-Righteous
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Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical context, the term "hypocrite" is often used to describe individuals who outwardly display righteousness but are inwardly corrupt or insincere. The self-righteous hypocrite is a recurring theme in Scripture, particularly in the teachings of Jesus Christ, who frequently admonished those who practiced religious piety for the sake of appearance rather than genuine faith and obedience to God.

Old Testament Context

The concept of hypocrisy is not absent from the Old Testament. The prophets often rebuked the Israelites for their insincere worship and failure to uphold the covenant with God. Isaiah 29:13 states, "Therefore the Lord said: 'These people draw near to Me with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Their worship of Me is but rules taught by men.'" This passage highlights the disconnect between outward religious observance and true devotion to God.

New Testament Teachings

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ addresses the issue of hypocrisy with particular emphasis. The Pharisees and scribes are frequently depicted as epitomes of self-righteousness. In Matthew 23, Jesus delivers a series of "woes" to the Pharisees, condemning their behavior. Matthew 23:27-28 states, "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."

Jesus' critique of the Pharisees underscores the danger of self-righteousness, where individuals prioritize external adherence to the law while neglecting the weightier matters of justice, mercy, and faithfulness (Matthew 23:23).

Parables and Teachings

The parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector in Luke 18:9-14 further illustrates the contrast between self-righteousness and genuine humility before God. The Pharisee, confident in his own righteousness, prays with pride, while the tax collector, aware of his sinfulness, seeks God's mercy. Jesus concludes, "I tell you, this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted" (Luke 18:14).

Apostolic Writings

The apostolic writings continue to warn against hypocrisy and self-righteousness. The Apostle Paul, in Romans 2:1-3 , admonishes those who judge others while committing the same sins: "You therefore have no excuse, you who pass judgment on another. For on whatever grounds you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things."

Practical Implications

The biblical portrayal of hypocrites as self-righteous serves as a cautionary tale for believers. It calls for introspection and a sincere commitment to living out one's faith authentically. The Scriptures encourage believers to seek a heart transformed by the Holy Spirit, characterized by humility, repentance, and a genuine love for God and neighbor.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Isaiah 65:5
Which say, Stand by yourself, come not near to me; for I am holier than you. These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burns all the day.
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Luke 18:11
The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank you, that I am not as other men are, extortionists, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
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Library

The Two Sons.
... Thus is even the worship of hypocrites worthless: Not every one that saith unto
me, Lord ... It is meant that in this glass all the self-righteous to the end of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/arnot/the parables of our lord/x the two sons.htm

The Third Part of the Articles.
... can observe the Law by their own powers, as has been said above concerning the
scholastic theologians; thence come the hypocrites and [self-righteous or] false ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/the smalcald articles/the third part of the.htm

The Uses of the Law
... sake, or else I shall be cast away." Oh, ye self-righteous ones now ... lightning of
God's wrath, that beateth to powder the obstinate and senseless hypocrites. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/the uses of the law.htm

Satan's Banquet
... are carousing, "be quiet; don't make too much noise, lest these sanctimonious
hypocrites should guess what company they are in. Those self-righteous people are ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/satans banquet.htm

The Friend of Men 223 in Nothing Does the Contrast Between Jesus ...
... One class only in the community failed of his sympathy,"the self-righteous hypocrites,
who thought that godliness consisted in scrupulous regard for pious ...
/.../rhees/the life of jesus of nazareth/i the friend of men.htm

An Appeal to Sinners
... and the sinner only, who can come to Christ; the self-righteous man cannot ... say to
you except this, "Woe unto you Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!" and allow ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/an appeal to sinners.htm

The Final Unmasking.
... of us the question is, are we growing less or more of such hypocrites? ... of the multitude
is upon them!"the multitude staring with self-righteous eyes, doing ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macdonald/unspoken sermons/the final unmasking.htm

The Last Words in the Temple.
... treasury of the Temple and saw the rich, and the self-righteous casting their ... but
afterward repent and enter, are better than the heartless hypocrites who talk ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xxxvii the last words.htm

The Wise and Foolish virgins
... those virgins were wise," true believers, "and five were foolish," formal hypocrites. ...
them they deserved to be damned; they were not self-righteous, but were ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/the wise and foolish virgins.htm

A Gluttonous Man and a Winebibber
... It would have been a long while before any sinful men would have found their way,
with tears and yet with trust, to these self-righteous hypocrites. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/a gluttonous man and a.htm

Resources
Questions about the Christian Life (All) | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about hypocrisy? | GotQuestions.org

Growth in Life ' Article Index | GotQuestions.org

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Subtopics

Hypocrites

Hypocrites in Power, are a Snare

Hypocrites: Absalom

Hypocrites: Ananias

Hypocrites: Apparently Zealous in the Things of God

Hypocrites: Beware the Principles of

Hypocrites: Cain

Hypocrites: Censorious

Hypocrites: Christ Knew and Detected

Hypocrites: Covetous

Hypocrites: Destroy Others by Slander

Hypocrites: Devouring Widows' Houses

Hypocrites: Exact in Minor, But Neglecting Important Duties

Hypocrites: Fearfulness Shall Surprise

Hypocrites: Glorying in Appearance Only

Hypocrites: God Has No Pleasure In

Hypocrites: God Knows and Detects

Hypocrites: Having But a Form of Godliness

Hypocrites: Heap up Wrath

Hypocrites: Herodians

Hypocrites: Hope of Perishes

Hypocrites: Illustrated

Hypocrites: Joy of, But for a Moment

Hypocrites: Judas

Hypocrites: Loving Pre-Eminence

Hypocrites: Ostentatious

Hypocrites: Pharisees

Hypocrites: Professing But not Practising

Hypocrites: Punishment of

Hypocrites: Regarding Tradition More than the Word of God

Hypocrites: Seeking Only Outward Purity

Hypocrites: Self-Righteous

Hypocrites: Shall not Come Before God

Hypocrites: Simon

Hypocrites: Spirit of, Hinders Growth in Grace

Hypocrites: The Apostasy to Abound With

Hypocrites: The Jews

Hypocrites: Trusting in Privileges

Hypocrites: Using But Lip-Worship

Hypocrites: Vile

Hypocrites: Wilfully Blind

Hypocrites: Woe To

Hypocrites: Worship of, not Acceptable to God

Hypocrites: Zealous in Making Proselytes

Satire of Jesus Against Hypocrites

Related Terms

Hypocrites (22 Occurrences)

Hyprocrite

Hypocritical (3 Occurrences)

Hypocrite (10 Occurrences)

Hypocrisy (11 Occurrences)

Hypocrites: Seeking Only Outward Purity
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