The view that all of life is worship is based, in part, upon a misunderstanding of the text of Romans 12:1: I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.

The last phrase, “which is your spiritual service of worship” is an unfortunate translation of the Greek. The word “worship” is nowhere to be found in the text of this verse, and was supplied by the NAS translators (and others). Their reason for adding this word was because of the Greek word (latreian), which simply means “service” and more often means “spiritual service.”

Jesus separates the idea of “service” (latruo) and “worship” (proskuneo) in Matthew 4:10: You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.

This demonstrates a distinction between worship and spiritual service or religious duty. Such is also illustrated in passages such as Phil. 2:17 and Heb. 12:28, both of which use "latreian".

What points should be considered when deciding whether all of life is worship?

The Greek word for worship (proskunew) literally means “to kiss toward.” It is a verb of action. This means that worship is a purposeful, intended act. One is making a conscious effort to kiss toward God. If a person is not attempting to offer something to God, it is NOT WORSHIP. It may have a religious flavor to it, but that alone does not constitute worship.

Jesus said that worship must be “in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24). The phrase “in spirit” indicated a mental, conscious, thought-out effort to offer something to God. If a person is not thinking about what is being done, that is, is NOT intending to offer this to God, then it is not in spirit and is not worship.

Jesus did not consider spiritual service to be the same as worship (Matt. 4:10). These are two distinct acts, and one is not engaged in one while doing the other.

The Ethiopian Eunuch “had come to Jerusalem to worship” (Acts 8:27). If all of life is worship, wasn’t he already worshipping? Someone would say “but that means he was going to worship God formally.” Where does the Bible make such a distinction between “formal” and “informal” worship?

And, by extension, what divine rules govern “informal” worship? Is it acceptable, in “informal” worship to use instruments? To have women pray? To take the Lord’s supper with different elements besides unleavened bread and fruit of the vine – or on a different day besides Sunday? The fact is, God doesn’t make such a distinction. Therefore, the Ethiopian was not worshipping while on the road to Jerusalem. He was going to begin worshipping once he arrived. This interpretation fits with the basic definition of worship: “to kiss toward.” While on the road, he was not intending to worship. He clearly was intending on worshipping once he go there.

If all of life is worship, is it necessary to assemble with the saints (Hebrews 10:25)? Would it be just as acceptable to go to the lake or mountains and “worship” God while fishing, hunting or hiking?

Can anyone logically and truthfully maintain that they are genuinely worshipping God while changing a dirty diaper or watching a movie? If so, then Jesus would probably make the following assessment of their “worship”: “they worship in vain, their heart is far from me” (cf. Matt. 15:8, 9). Note again: true worship is where the person is intentionally offering something to God (“in spirit”) and it is being done according to the divine standards set by God (“in truth”).