John 4:24

Context

At a well near the Samaritan town of Sychar, Jesus speaks with a woman. She notes that the Samaritans say worship belongs on Mount Gerizim, while the Jews say it belongs in Jerusalem, and she asks which is right (v. 20). Jesus answers that the hour is coming when the Father will be worshiped neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem, and he declares that "the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth" (v. 23). Verse 24 grounds this in the nature of God.

Interpretation

The phrase "in spirit and in truth" translates the Greek en pneumati kai alētheia, literally "in spirit and truth." Interpreters read it in several ways.

• The Holy Spirit and truth: This view takes "spirit" to mean the Holy Spirit. The verse then describes worship offered under the Spirit's prompting, in accordance with Christ, who is the truth (14:6), and in accordance with his word. On this reading, the verse declares that place-centered worship has given way to Christ-centered worship.
• The human spirit and sincerity: This view takes "spirit" to mean the inner person. The verse then describes worship offered sincerely from the depths of the heart rather than as mere outward form. Some have noted that the Korean Revised Version's rendering, roughly "with spirituality and sincerity," tends to suggest this reading. The New Korean Standard Version instead renders the phrase "with spirit and truth."
• A combined view: Many interpreters join the two readings. They understand the verse as describing worship in which the Holy Spirit moves the human spirit to worship in accordance with the truth.

Debates and Issues

Opposing sides invoke this verse in debates over the form of worship. Pentecostal and charismatic churches appeal to "spirit" when they emphasize worship marked by the free working of the Holy Spirit and by emotional expression. The Reformed tradition stresses "truth" when it explains the regulative principle, which holds that worship should include only the elements prescribed by Scripture. Liturgical churches maintain that fixed orders of service and liturgy do not hinder sincere worship. Both sides also cite the verse in the worship music controversy and in debates over open worship (seeker-oriented services). Some observe that the verse speaks of worship that transcends place and ethnicity rather than justifying any single form of worship.

Perspective: Korean Protestant practiceHow this idea is used in Korean churches, kept from the original Korean article.

In Korean Protestant churches, the verse often serves as a motto for worship renewal seminars and for the training of worship teams. The phrase "Let us worship in spirit and in truth" is also commonly heard in calls to worship.

Related Passages

• John 4:20-23
• Romans 12:1
• Philippians 3:3
• Hebrews 12:28