HYPOCRITE
Literally, it denoted in gr. a theater actor (“hupokriteis”), and from there, due to its secondary meaning of acting, of giving a representation foreign to the reality of one’s own person, it came to denote a deceiver, one who pretends what he is not, or who It hides its true thoughts, attitudes and intentions under a mask of false appearances.
Hypocrisy is strongly condemned in the Bible (Jb. 36:13; Pr. 11:9; Is. 33:14; Mt. 6:2, 5; 24:51; 1 Pet. 2:1).
Hypocrisy constitutes a constant temptation, into which even great believers occasionally fell, and for which they had to be rebuked, as in the case of Peter and Barnabas, admonished by Paul (Gal. 2:13).
Thus, the Christian must always guard against the hypocritical duplicity of his life.