In Matthew 6:5 Jesus said,
And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.
To say, “they have their reward,” means that the only reward such will receive is the praise of men; they will not be rewarded by God. Regarding the words “hypocrite,” and “hypocrisy,” the ISBE states
‘Hypocrisy,’ ‘hypocrite’ are frequent in the New Testament, chiefly in Christ’s discourses in the Gospels. The word hupokrisis (primarily, “an answer,” “response”) meant generally, in classical Greek, stageplaying, acting, the histrionic art; hence, it came to mean acting a part in life, etc. . . but, in general, the meaning is acting a part, false, deceptive and deceived, formally and outwardly religious and good, but inwardly insincere and unrighteous; the hypocrite may come to deceive himself as well as others, but ‘the hypocrite’s hope shall perish’ (Job 8:13, KJV). On no class did our Lord pronounce such severe condemnation as on the hypocrites of His day.
These actors’ masks in our photos below are displayed in Athens near the ancient agora. If the actor were a tragedian, he/she might have a mask like this:
On the other hand, if he were a comic, the mask might look like this:
Jesus does not want His followers to be actors, playing a part, all the while playing a role that is not real. He requires total, genuine, sincere conversion and commitment to Him. “Be not as the hypocrites.”
Hi Mr. Mauldin! This is Laura Morgan. My husband, Jacob, and I met you a few Sundays ago in Nebraska when we happened to be visiting the week you were doing a gospel meeting. I just wanted to let you know that I informed my dad about the congregation you and your wife told us about in Belgium. My dad had not heard of that congregation before so he hopes to meet with them on his next trip over there! Thanks for the information! Also thank you for informing us about your website here. I look forward to keeping up with it! Have a wonderful week and Lord willing, we’ll see you again soon!
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