Worship in spirit and in truth??

[DeanZF]

I don't regard these three interpretations, and Darlene's, as being mutually exclusive. There's so much meaning in this verse I think they all have validity. <snip>



PS Sorry, I haven't time to write anything about the "in spirit" bit

And Dave took the best part of my own comments! SO much meaning. The Word seldom says something without multiple meanings or applications.



There is one often controversial meaning as well. Remember that Jesus described Himself as Truth. I don't have the Greek or Hebrew skills to discern if this has anything more than an oblique relationship to the rest of the discussion.



As to the "in spirit" portion of that verse, my resources all point to the fact that this is not the Holy Spirit, even by implication, although a couple of versions (not necessarily termed translations) of the Holy Scriptures talk about worshiping Him because of inspiration of the Holy Spirit.



One part of "spirit" might also have to do with a parallel phrase in the Word, dealing with keeping the "spirit of the law, not just the letter." One of my own favorite interpretations of that phrase is that Father is a spirit, and is seeking those who will worship Him in the physical [visible] and in the inner man [where no man can see]. Most of us have experienced watching someone go through all the postures and actions of worship, and know that it wasn't "real" worship. Call it going through the motions or lip service, but if it's all display and no heart... Y'know?



I think that Darlene's comments are a goodly part of it, but not all.