Hypocrisy, Dissimulation,
and Just Recompense 

The Pharisees and Hypocrisy

Of what sin were the Pharisees guilty?

“Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.” Luke 12:1.  

Note – Hypocrisy is a feigning to be what one is not; dissimulation; a concealment of one’s real character or motives; especially, the assuming of a false appearance of virtue or religion.

How did the Pharisees show themselves to be hypocrites?

“You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” Matthew 15:7,8.

How did they make void one of God’s commandments?

“For God said, “honor your father and mother and ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death. But you say that if a man says to his father or mother, “whatever help you might otherwise have received from me is a gift devoted to God,’ he is not to ‘honor his father’ with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your traditions.” Verses 4-6.   

How did Christ say hypocrites pray?

“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.” Matthew 6:5.   

The Hypocrite and His Neighbor

What does Christ call one who readily sees the faults of others, but does not see or correct his own?

“You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” Matthew 7:5.

How does a hypocrite treat his neighbor?

“With his mouth the godless destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge the righteous escape.” “For he is the kind of man who is always thinking about the cost. “Eat and drink,” he says to you, but his heart is not with you.” Proverbs 11:9; 23:7.

Hypocritical Tendencies in Good Men

Which of the apostles was once guilty of dissimulation?

“The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray.” Galatians 2:13.  [Peter was guilty]

Why did Paul say he opposed Peter in this manner?

“When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong.” Verse 11. 

What did the psalmist say he would not do?

“I do not sit with deceitful men, nor do I consort with hypocrites.” Psalm 26:4.

The Hypocrite’s Fate and Love’s Way

What will become of the hypocrite’s hope?

“All is the destiny of all who forget God; so perishes the hope of the godless.” Job 8:13.

What is to be the fate of that servant, who, while professing to love the Lord, shows by his actions that he is worldly, and is not looking or longing for His coming?

“The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at that hour he is not aware of. He will cut him into pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Matthew 24:50,51. “The sinners in Zion are terrified; trembling grips the godless: “Who of us can dwell with the consuming fire? Who of us can dwell with the everlasting burning?”  Isaiah 33:14.

How pure should be our love?

“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.” Romans 12:9.

What is the characteristic of heavenly wisdom?

“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. James 3:17.

God’s Just Way

“For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard it.” Hebrews 2:2,3.

How are all to be rewarded in the judgment?

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one will receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or evil.”

 2 Corinthians 5:10. “God will give to each person according to what he has done.”

Romans 2: 6. “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.”

Galatians 6:7.   

What will be the reward of the wrongdoer?

“But for those who re self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.” Verse 8.  “There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.”  Romans 2:9.

What will be the recompense of the righteous?

“The one who sows to please the Spirit, form the Spirit will reap eternal life.” Galatians 6:8. “But glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.” Romans 2:10.

God Uses Man’s Measuring Stick

What general rule of recompense is laid down in the Bible? 

“”Do not judge, or you will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Matthew 7:1,2.  “To the faithful, you show yourself faithful, to the blameless you show yourself blameless, to the pure you show yourself pure, but to the crooked you show yourself shrewd.”

Psalm 18:25,26.

In view of this, what are we warned not to do?

“Do not repay evil for evil or insult for insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you might inherit a blessing.” 1 Peter 3:9. 

What does Solomon say of those who render evil for good?

“If a man pays back evil for good, evil will never leave his house.” Proverbs 17:13.

Justice and Final Rewards

What principle of justice should govern us in our dealings?

“Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act.”

Proverbs 3:27.

In meting out the final awards, what may be sure God will do?

“Far be it from you to do such a thing – to kill the righteous with the wicked, treating the righteous and the wicked alike. Far be it from you! Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?” Genesis 18:25. “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you.” Psalm 89:14.

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