SEV Biblia, Chapter 4:24
Dios es Espíritu; y los que le adoran, en Espíritu y en verdad es necesario que adoren.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - John 4:24
Verse 24. God is a Spirit] This is one of the first, the greatest, the most sublime, and necessary truths in the compass of nature! There is a God, the cause of all things- the fountain of all perfection-without parts or dimensions, for he is ETERNAL-filling the heavens and the earth- pervading, governing, and upholding all things: for he is an infinite SPIRIT! This God can be pleased only with that which resembles himself: therefore he must hate sin and sinfulness; and can delight in those only who are made partakers of his own Divine nature. As all creatures were made by him, so all owe him obedience and reverence; but, to be acceptable to this infinite Spirit, the worship must be of a spiritual nature-must spring from the heart, through the influence of the Holy Ghost: and it must be in TRuth, not only in sincerity, but performed according to that Divine revelation which he has given men of himself. A man worships God in spirit, when, under the influence of the Holy Ghost, he brings all his affections, appetites, and desires to the throne of God; and he worships him in truth, when every purpose and passion of his heart, and when every act of his religious worship, is guided and regulated by the word of God. "The enlightened part of mankind," says Abu'l Fazel, "knows that true righteousness is an upright heart; and believe that God can only be worshipped in holiness of SPIRIT." Ayeen Akbery, vol. iii. p. 254. "Of all worshippers," says Creeshna, "I respect him as the most devout, who hath faith in me, and who serveth me with a soul possessed of my spirit." Geeta, p. 68.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 24. God is a spirit , etc.] Or the Spirit is God; a divine person, possessed of all divine perfections, as appears from his names, works, and worship ascribed unto him; (see Gill on John 4:23); though the Arabic and Persic versions, and others, read as we do, God is a spirit; that is, God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost: for taking the words in this light, not one of the persons is to be understood exclusive of the other; for this description, or definition, agrees with each of them, and they are all the object of worship, and to be worshipped in a true and spiritual manner.
God is a spirit, and not a body, or a corporeal substance: the nature and essence of God is like a spirit, simple and uncompounded, not made up of parts; nor is it divisible; nor does it admit of any change and alteration.
God, as a spirit, is immaterial, immortal, invisible, and an intelligent, willing, and active being; but differs from other spirits, in that he is not created, but an immense and infinite spirit, and an eternal one, which has neither beginning nor end: he is therefore a spirit by way of eminency, as well as effectively, he being the author and former of all spirits: whatever excellence is in them, must be ascribed to God in the highest manner; and whatever is imperfect in them, must be removed from him: and they that worship him ; worship is due to him on account of his nature and perfections, both internal and external; with both the bodies and souls of men; and both private and public; in the closet, in the family, and in the church of God; as prayer, praise, attendance on the word and ordinances: must worship him in spirit and in truth ; in the true and spiritual manner before described, which is suitable to his nature, and agreeably to his will.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 4-26 - There was great hatred between the Samaritans and the Jews. Christ' road from Judea to Galilee lay through Samaria. We should not go int places of temptation but when we needs must; and then must not dwell in them, but hasten through them. We have here our Lord Jesus under the common fatigue of travellers. Thus we see that he was truly a man. Toi came in with sin; therefore Christ, having made himself a curse for us submitted to it. Also, he was a poor man, and went all his journeys of foot. Being wearied, he sat thus on the well; he had no couch to res upon. He sat thus, as people wearied with travelling sit. Surely, we ought readily to submit to be like the Son of God in such things a these. Christ asked a woman for water. She was surprised because he di not show the anger of his own nation against the Samaritans. Moderat men of all sides are men wondered at. Christ took the occasion to teac her Divine things: he converted this woman, by showing her ignoranc and sinfulness, and her need of a Saviour. By this living water i meant the Spirit. Under this comparison the blessing of the Messiah ha been promised in the Old Testament. The graces of the Spirit, and his comforts, satisfy the thirsting soul, that knows its own nature an necessity. What Jesus spake figuratively, she took literally. Chris shows that the water of Jacob's well yielded a very short satisfaction Of whatever waters of comfort we drink, we shall thirst again. But whoever partakes of the Spirit of grace, and the comforts of the gospel, shall never want that which will abundantly satisfy his soul Carnal hearts look no higher than carnal ends. Give it me, saith she not that I may have everlasting life, which Christ proposed, but that come not hither to draw. The carnal mind is very ingenious in shiftin off convictions, and keeping them from fastening. But how closely ou Lord Jesus brings home the conviction to her conscience! He severel reproved her present state of life. The woman acknowledged Christ to be a prophet. The power of his word in searching the heart, and convincin the conscience of secret things, is a proof of Divine authority. I should cool our contests, to think that the things we are strivin about are passing away. The object of worship will continue still the same, God, as a Father; but an end shall be put to all difference about the place of worship. Reason teaches us to consult decency an convenience in the places of our worship; but religion gives n preference to one place above another, in respect of holiness an approval with God. The Jews were certainly in the right. Those who by the Scriptures have obtained some knowledge of God, know whom the worship. The word of salvation was of the Jews. It came to othe nations through them. Christ justly preferred the Jewish worship befor the Samaritan, yet here he speaks of the former as soon to be don away. God was about to be revealed as the Father of all believers in every nation. The spirit or the soul of man, as influenced by the Holy Spirit, must worship God, and have communion with him. Spiritual affections, as shown in fervent prayers, supplications, an thanksgivings, form the worship of an upright heart, in which God delights and is glorified. The woman was disposed to leave the matte undecided, till the coming of the Messiah. But Christ told her, I tha speak to thee, am He. She was an alien and a hostile Samaritan, merel speaking to her was thought to disgrace our Lord Jesus. Yet to thi woman did our Lord reveal himself more fully than as yet he had done to any of his disciples. No past sins can bar our acceptance with him, i we humble ourselves before him, believing in him as the Christ, the Saviour of the world.
Greek Textus Receptus
πνευμα 4151 N-NSN ο 3588 T-NSM θεος 2316 N-NSM και 2532 CONJ τους 3588 T-APM προσκυνουντας 4352 5723 V-PAP-APM αυτον 846 P-ASM εν 1722 PREP πνευματι 4151 N-DSN και 2532 CONJ αληθεια 225 N-DSF δει 1163 5904 V-PQI-3S προσκυνειν 4352 5721 V-PAN
Vincent's NT Word Studies
24. God is a Spirit (pneuma o Qeov). Or, as Rev., in margins, God is spirit. Spirit is the emphatic word; Spirit is God. The phrase describes the nature, not the personality of God. Compare the expressions, God is light; God is love (1 John i. 5; iv. 8).
