That is true righteousness and justice, and that is the Godlike life.
'And true holiness.' That is, truthful holiness, honest holiness.
This is St. Paul's meaning. As any good scholar or divine would tell
you, St. Paul's exact words are 'the holiness of truth.' He does not
mean true holiness as opposed to a false holiness, a legal holiness,
a holiness of empty forms and ceremonies, or a holiness of ascetism
and celibacy; but as opposed to a holiness which does not speak the
truth, to that sly, untruthful, prevaricating holiness which was only
too common in St. Paul's time, and has been but too common since. Be
honest, says St. Paul; for this too is part of the Godlike life, and
the new man is created after God, in justice and honesty.
And that this is what St. Paul actually means is clear from what
immediately follows: 'Wherefore, putting away lying, speak every man
truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.'
What does the 'wherefore' mean, if not that, because the life of God
is a life of justice and honesty, therefore you must not lie;
therefore you must not hear spite and malice; therefore you must not
steal, but rather work; therefore you must avoid all foul talk which
may injure your neighbour; but rather teach, refine, educate him?
It would seem at first sight that this would have been a gospel, and
good news to men.
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