“And the rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy.”
And the rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite with him,
The “rest of the Jews” are Jewish believers in the church in Antioch of Syria. When Peter went astray, other Jewish believers who had accepted the grace principle went with him.
The English words “played the hypocrite” are from three Greek words: with, under, and to judge. The idea is to join in acting the hypocrite, to pretend to act from one motive when, in fact, you are operating from an entirely different reason. The ancient Greeks used this word in the theater for pretending or playing a part. The idea is that they played a role along with others. They helped each other in presenting a false front of legalism.
Principle:
When leaders fall, they bring many with them.
Application:
The greatest of Christian leaders have feet of clay. When they fall, others fall with them. The most wonderful Christian leaders can go bad for the sin capacity resides within them until they die or go to be with the Lord Jesus. Any good man can go bad when he lets his guard down. Yet when he falls, it causes extensive repercussions in their ministry.
We need to understand that leaders can go astray, whether doctrinally or living the Christian life. As leaders, do we think twice about how we might hurt people who follow us?
