Revision #11559
John 4:24
Localized for English-speaking readers
Status: approved
Changes from the previous English revision
= ## Context
- At a well near the Samaritan town of Sychar, Jesus speaks with a woman. She observes that Samaritans hold that worship should take place on Mount Gerizim, while Jews hold that it should take place 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.
+ 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 rendered in the Korean Revised Version as *sinryeong-gwa jinjeong* (roughly "with spirituality and sincerity") translates the Greek *en pneumati kai alētheia*, literally "in spirit and truth." The New Korean Standard Version renders it "with spirit and truth."
- - **Reading it as "by the Holy Spirit and in truth"**: This view takes "spirit" to mean the Holy Spirit and understands the verse as describing worship offered under the Spirit's prompting and in accordance with Christ, who is the truth (14:6), and with his word. It regards the verse as a declaration that place-centered worship has given way to Christ-centered worship.
- - **Reading it as "with the human spirit and sincerity"**: This view takes "spirit" to mean the inner person and understands the verse as describing worship offered sincerely from the depths of the heart rather than as mere form. Some have noted that the Korean rendering *sinryeong-gwa jinjeong* tends to evoke this reading.
- - Many interpreters combine the two readings, understanding the verse as describing worship in which the Holy Spirit moves the human spirit to worship in accordance with the truth.
+ 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
- This verse is invoked by opposing sides in debates over the form of worship. Pentecostal and charismatic churches appeal to "spirit" when emphasizing worship marked by the free working of the Holy Spirit and by emotional expression, while the Reformed tradition stresses "truth" when explaining the regulative principle, which holds that worship should include only those 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.
+ 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.
=
= ## In the Korean Church
- The verse is often used as a motto for worship renewal seminars and worship team training, and the phrase "Let us worship in spirit and in truth" is commonly heard in calls to worship.
+ 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
…
In this verse Jesus tells the Samaritan woman, "God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth." The verse speaks to what true worship rests on, if not on a particular place, and it is frequently cited in discussions of the forms of worship.
John 4:24 records the words of Jesus to the Samaritan woman: "God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth." The verse teaches that true worship depends on something other than place, and it is frequently cited in discussions of the forms of worship.
Full revision
John 4:24 records the words of Jesus to the Samaritan woman: "God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth." The verse teaches that true worship depends on something other than place, and it is frequently cited in discussions of the forms of worship.
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.
In the Korean Church
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