ἀνυπόκριτος (anupokritos)
anupokritos
genuine
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 6 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adjective anupokritos describes a quality that is genuine, sincere, or unfeigned. It literally means "without hypocrisy," combining a negative prefix with a root related to acting on a stage. In the New Testament, it characterizes attitudes and actions that are free from disguise or pretense, reflecting an inner reality that matches outward expression.
This word appears six times in Scripture, notably in Romans 12:9 where believers are urged to love without hypocrisy, and in James 3:17 describing wisdom from above as pure and sincere. It also modifies the "sincere love" mentioned in 1 Peter 1:22 and the "unfeigned faith" recalled by Paul in 2 Timothy 1:5. The term emphasizes integrity, suggesting that true spirituality cannot be performed or faked.
Its usage highlights a consistent biblical theme: God values authenticity over appearance. By rejecting the concept of theatrical deception, anupokritos calls for a life where faith is lived out honestly, without the mask of religious performance. This sincerity becomes a mark of both divine wisdom and genuine Christian community.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word anupokritos reminds us that God sees past our outward performance to the reality of our hearts. It literally means 'without a mask,' rejecting the idea that faith is a role we play for others. Instead, it points to a life where what we believe matches how we live. This kind of honesty is not about being perfect in every action, but about refusing to hide behind religious pretense.
In Romans 12:9, believers are asked to let love be genuine, abhorring evil and clinging to good. This call to sincerity applies to our relationships with God and each other. When we drop the act, we create space for real community and true peace. It is a quiet strength that does not need applause or approval from people.
James 3:17 describes wisdom from above as pure and without hypocrisy. This suggests that true spiritual insight leads to integrity, not just knowledge. As you navigate your daily walk, consider where you might be wearing a mask. There is freedom in letting God see the real you, trusting that His grace covers our flaws while He shapes us into something authentic.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 6 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- sincere2×
- unfeigned.1×
- sincere.1×
- sincere,1×
- genuine,1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀνυπόκριτος.2×
- ἀνυπόκριτον1×
- ἀνυποκρίτῳ,1×
- ἀνυποκρίτου,1×
- ἀνυποκρίτου1×
Key Verses
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Romans 12:9
Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil. Cling to that which is good.
This verse commands love to be genuine, linking sincerity directly to the moral choices of abhorring evil and clinging to good.
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James 3:17
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
Here the word describes heavenly wisdom, showing that true spiritual understanding produces a life free from pretense.
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II Timothy 1:5
having been reminded of the sincere faith that is in you, which lived first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, in you also.
Paul recalls the sincere faith passed down through Lois and Eunice, highlighting how genuine belief is often nurtured in family relationships.