Feigning, in a biblical context, refers to the act of pretending or giving a false appearance, often with the intent to deceive. This behavior is addressed in various passages throughout the Bible, where it is generally portrayed as contrary to the values of truth and sincerity upheld by Scripture.

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, feigning is often associated with deceit and hypocrisy. One notable example is found in the account of David and the Philistines. In 1 Samuel 21:13, David feigns madness before Achish, the king of Gath, to protect himself: "So he changed his behavior before them and pretended to be insane in their hands, scribbling on the doors of the gate and letting saliva run down his beard." While David's actions were a strategic move for survival, they illustrate the broader theme of feigning as a means of deception.

The prophets also speak against feigning, particularly in the context of false worship and insincere repentance. Isaiah 29:13 highlights the issue of people honoring God with their lips while their hearts are far from Him: "Therefore the Lord said: 'These people draw near to Me with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me; their worship of Me is but rules taught by men.'" This passage underscores the importance of genuine devotion over mere outward appearances.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, feigning is addressed in the context of hypocrisy and false teaching. Jesus frequently rebukes the Pharisees for their hypocritical behavior, as seen in Matthew 23:27-28: "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of impurity. In the same way, on the outside you appear to be righteous, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness." Here, Jesus condemns the Pharisees for their outward show of piety that masks their inner corruption.

The apostle Paul also warns against feigning in the form of false teaching and insincere love. In 2 Corinthians 11:13-15, he cautions the church about false apostles: "For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their actions." Paul emphasizes the danger of those who feign righteousness to lead others astray.

Additionally, in Romans 12:9, Paul exhorts believers to love genuinely: "Love must be sincere. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good." This call to sincere love stands in stark contrast to feigned affection, highlighting the Christian ideal of authenticity in relationships.

Theological Implications

Feigning, as depicted in the Bible, is fundamentally at odds with the nature of God, who is characterized by truth and faithfulness. In John 14:6, Jesus declares, "I am the way and the truth and the life." As followers of Christ, believers are called to emulate His truthfulness and integrity, rejecting all forms of deceit and hypocrisy.

The biblical admonition against feigning serves as a reminder of the importance of authenticity in the Christian life. It challenges believers to examine their motives and actions, ensuring that their outward expressions of faith align with their inner convictions.1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Feign.

2. (a.) That feigns; insincere; not genuine; false.

How Constantius, Feigning Idolatry, Expelled those who Consented ...
... Book I. Chapter XVI."How Constantius, feigning Idolatry, expelled those who consented
to offer Sacrifice, but retained in his Palace all who were willing to ...

Of the Very Foolish Lie of the Pagans, in Feigning that the ...
... Chapter 54."Of the Very Foolish Lie of the Pagans, in Feigning that the Christian
Religion Was Not to Last Beyond Three Hundred and Sixty-Five Years. ...

Hence is Also that which Thou Hast Mentioned that they Speak Of...
... lie. But whoso would understand what He by feigning that did prefigure,
let him attend to that which He by acting did effect. For ...

An Epistle on Charity.
... knew to be damnable. In no manner of feigning or flattering, but in
soothfastness of good love and clean charity. For though it ...

Whether Christ Gave his Body to Judas?
... For if he be 'chastised' who does 'not discern,' ie distinguish, the body of the
Lord from other meats, how must he be 'condemned' who, feigning himself a ...

There are those who Think that the Christian Religion is what we ...
... Although a man may also deceive by feigning good will, and hiding malice: or, if
he have no thought to do harm, yet by expecting some benefit from thee, feigns ...

This, You Will Say, is Ridiculous, Whereas all Profess to Hold and ...
... in what way shall you assure him, that you approach with a true mind, and that,
so far as this matter is concerned, there is in you no fraud or feigning? ...

The Christians are not the Only Contemners of the Gods Contempt of ...
... Since then, which of the poets has not, on the authority of their great prince,
calumniated the gods, by either betraying truth or feigning falsehood? ...

the life of constantine
... Chapter XVI.--How Constantius, feigning Idolatry, expelled those who consented to
offer Sacrifice, but retained in his Palace all who were willing to confess ...

By Divine Inspiration Philosophers Sometimes Hit on the Truth.
... Why, I beseech you, fill up life with idolatrous images, by feigning the winds,
or the air, or fire, or earth, or stones, or stocks, or steel, or this universe ...

Feigning (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Feigning (2 Occurrences). ... Hosea 11:12 Compassed Me with
feigning hath Ephraim, And with deceit the house of Israel. ...

Felix (11 Occurrences)

Liers (11 Occurrences)
... Luke 20:20 And, having watched 'him', they sent forth liers in wait, feigning
themselves to be righteous, that they might take hold of his word, to deliver him ...

Witch (2 Occurrences)
... It may conceivably have been so, but the more reasonable view is that the whole
transaction was a piece of feigning on the part of the woman. ...

Feigneth (3 Occurrences)

Fiction (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The act of feigning, inventing, or
imagining; as, by a mere fiction of the mind. 2. (n.) That ...

En-dor (3 Occurrences)
... It may conceivably have been so, but the more reasonable view is that the whole
transaction was a piece of feigning on the part of the woman. ...

Endor (3 Occurrences)
... It may conceivably have been so, but the more reasonable view is that the whole
transaction was a piece of feigning on the part of the woman. ...

Dissimulation (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) The act of dissembling; a hiding under a false
appearance; concealment by feigning; false pretension; hypocrisy. ...

Make-believe (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) A feigning to believe, as in the play of children;
a mere pretense; a fiction; an invention. 2. (a.) Feigned; insincere. ...

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