Gospel of Matthew Matthew 6:1-6

The King’s Sermon – Beware of Religious Hypocrisy

In Matthew 5:21-48, Jesus focused on the topic of inner righteousness and right attitudes. In this section Christ taught about murder and hatred, adultery and lust, marital fidelity and divorce, swearing and speaking the truth, submitting to others and seeking retaliation, and loving others.

In Matthew 6:1-18, Christ stressed the necessity of proper motives in religious activities. Jesus highlighted three representative areas: giving alms (6:1-4), praying (6:5-15), and fasting (6:16-18). In this section Christ exposed and confronted religious hypocrisy. He spoke of hypocrites who gave alms, prayed, and fasted to be seen and praised by others. Jesus condemned this false piety and warned His disciples of such behavior. All false righteousness disqualifies a person from God’s kingdom (Mt. 5:20).

Religious hypocrisy is nothing more than a game of pretending to be holy. The scribes and Pharisees were masters at this game. They were not the first hypocrites, nor the last. Hypocrites have been around since the beginning of history and they will be around until the end of time. The strongest words that Christ ever spoke were aimed at religious hypocrites. He used many figures of speech to describe hypocrites. He spoke of tares growing with wheat (Mt. 13:25). He warned about the spreading influence of hypocrisy as leaven in dough (Lk. 12:1). He described hypocrites as whitewashed tombs (Mt. 23:27) and wolves in sheep’s clothing (Mt. 7:15).

Christ warned His disciples to take heed, which means to beware, to take hold of something and pay attention to it in the sense of being on guard. Hypocrisy is both deceptive and deadly, and therefore is always treated seriously in Scripture. Cain was the first hypocrite, pretending to worship God by offering sacrifice that God did not authorize. Absalom played the hypocrite by vowing allegiance to his father, King David, while planning to overthrow him. The ultimate hypocrite was Judas Iscariot who betrayed our Lord with a kiss.

Beware of hypocritical giving (vs. 1-4) The first example of religious hypocrisy is giving alms or giving to needy people. The word “alms” literally refers to any act of mercy or pity, but “came to be used primarily of giving money, food, or clothing to the poor” (MacArthur, Matthew 1-7, 355). Christ exposed hypocrites who gave alms only to be seen and praised by others.

• Hypocrites seek man’s praise (vs. 1-2) – Their motivation was all wrong. They did the right thing for the wrong reason. They sought man’s praise, but forfeited God’s reward. They drew attention to their giving in public places so they would be publicly praised. They received exactly what they wanted. MacArthur offers this comment: “Unfortunately, many Christian organizations use un-Christian methods to motivate support of their ministries. When framed certificates, published names of generous supporters, and other such recognitions are offered to stimulate giving, hypocrisy is promoted in the name of Christ. It is just as wrong to appeal to wrong motives as to have wrong motives” ( Matthew 1-7, 356).

• Genuine disciples are to seek God’s approval (vs. 3-4) – Some may question whether this contradicts what Jesus taught in Matthew 5:16. The issue is not whether our deeds are seen by others, but whether they are done for that reason alone. When our giving is for the right reason, the focus is on God rather than us. Jesus was in effect saying, don’t reach in your pocket with one hand for a gift, and then put your other hand in the air to let people know how much you are giving. When you are giving alms with one hand, be so secretive and selfless about it that your other hand doesn’t know even what you are doing.

Beware of hypocritical praying (vs. 5-6) Once again Christ condemned people who prayed to be seen and praised by others.

• Hypocrites choose to pray in public places (vs. 5) – Christ did not imply that praying in public is wrong, but He addressed the wrong motive for praying in public. The important thing is not where we give alms or pray, but why we do these things. Hypocrites do things to be noticed and praised by others. The word “hypocrite” means a play-actor or one who wears a mask. The phrase “they may be seen” is from the Greek, theaomai , from which we get our English word “theater.” Hypocrites do religious activities as if they are actors performing on a stage to make an impression on those who are watching. They usually receive the reward they are looking for, but they always forfeit God’s greater blessings.

• Genuine disciples are to pray in private places (vs. 6) – Prayer is directed to an audience of one, our Heavenly Father. God promises that He will see in private and will reward us openly.

But Aren’t We All Hypocrites?

This is a question often raised. Of course, even genuine disciples sometimes fall short of perfect obedience and consistently pure motives. So what is the difference between a genuine believer who tries and fails and a phony hypocrite?

1) Hypocrisy is habitual, not occasional – It becomes a habit, a way of life.

2) Hypocrisy is intentional, not accidental – The hypocrite knows what he is doing and is aware of his inner motives.

3) Hypocrites focus on external appearance rather than internal reality

4) Hypocrites are concerned about their reputation – Hypocrites are only interested in what others think and say about them.

5) Genuine disciples are concerned about their character – Real believers seek to have godly character that reflects a redeemed life.

6) Hypocrites are condemned and receive eternal punishment (Job 8:13; 20:4-5; Mt. 23:13-14, 25-33)

7) Genuine disciples confess and repent and receive forgiveness (Prov. 28:13; 1 Jn. 1:9) Gospel of Matthew Matthew 6:1-6

The King’s Sermon – Beware of Religious Hypocrisy

Beware of______(vs. 1-4) The first example of religious hypocrisy is giving alms or giving to needy people. The word “alms” literally refers to any act of mercy or pity, but “came to be used primarily of giving money, food, or clothing to the poor” (MacArthur, Matthew 1-7, 355).

• Hypocrites______(vs. 1-2) They drew attention to their giving in public places so they would be publicly praised. They received exactly what they wanted. MacArthur offers this comment: “Unfortunately, many Christian organizations use un-Christian methods to motivate support of their ministries. When framed certificates, published names of generous supporters, and other such recognitions are offered to stimulate giving, hypocrisy is promoted in the name of Christ. It is just as wrong to appeal to wrong motives as to have wrong motives” ( Matthew 1-7, 356).

• Genuine disciples______(vs. 3-4) Some may question whether this contradicts what Jesus taught in Matthew 5:16. The issue is not whether our deeds are seen by others, but whether they are done for that reason alone. When giving is for the right reason, the focus is on God rather than us.

Beware of______(vs. 5-6) Once again Christ condemned people who prayed to be seen and praised by others.

• Hypocrites______(vs. 5) Christ did not imply that praying in public is wrong, but He addressed the wrong motive for praying in public. The important thing is not where we give alms or pray, but why we do these things. Hypocrites do things to be noticed and praised by others. The word “hypocrite” means a play-actor or one who wears a mask. The phrase “they may be seen” is from the Greek, theaomai , from which we get our English word “theater.” Hypocrites do religious activities as if they are actors performing on a stage to make an impression on those who are watching. They usually receive the reward they are looking for, but they always forfeit God’s greater blessings.

• Genuine disciples______(vs. 6) Prayer is directed to an audience of one, our Heavenly Father. God promises that He will see in private and will reward us openly.

But Aren’t We All Hypocrites?

1) Hypocrisy is______

2) Hypocrisy is______

3) Hypocrites focus on______

4) Hypocrites are______

5) Genuine disciples are______

6) Hypocrites are______(Job 8:13; 20:4-5; Mt. 23:13-14, 25-33)

7) Genuine disciples______(Prov. 28:13; 1 Jn. 1:9)