Matthew 7:5 (KJV)
Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.
The final chapter of the Sermon on the Mount contains a number of familiar sayings that people sometimes forget come from the Bible. Some of them are used so far out of context that they have been given meanings the Lord never intended.
- “Judge not, that ye be not judged.”
- “Casting pearls before swine.”
- “The Golden Rule” (Matthew 7:12)
Here is another one we hear often:
“Thou hypocrite.”
Those of the world seem convinced that most Christians are hypocrites.
Wait!
Let's not be too quick to dismiss this. According to Thayer's Dictionary, the word means:
- One who answers; an interpreter.
- An actor; a stage player.
- A dissembler; a pretender.
The Bible makes it clear that there will be false prophets, false teachers, and false professors of faith—pretenders. Jesus says later in this very chapter that there will be wolves in sheep's clothing. Actors.
I am especially interested in the first definition: "one who answers; an interpreter."
I'm afraid there is a great deal of private interpretation going on in the name of Christianity these days. People interpret the Bible in a manner that allows almost anything to go. Just about the only thing many will not tolerate is someone else's pet peeve.
"He gets us."
Even unbelievers have an interpretation of Jesus. They view the One they do not know as being too loving to hate anything. As a result, these unbelievers often hate those who love the Christ of the Bible.
Thou hypocrite.
"I wouldn't go to that church. It's filled with hypocrites."
If you ever find a perfect church, please don't go there.
You'll ruin it.
#JudgeRighteousJudgment #RemoveTheBeam #ThouHypocrite #TruthNotPretense #MatthewSevenFive
Are Christians Hypocrites? What Jesus Really Said
Have you ever avoided a church because of hypocrites—or have you discovered hypocrisy in your own heart? Leave a comment below and tell us your thoughts on Matthew 7:5.
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