Zec 8:16, Eph 4:25 | JFB | e4.org | 16, 17. The promised blessings are connected with obedience. God's covenanted grace will lead those truly blessed by it to holiness, not licentiousness. truth to . . . neighbour —not that the truth should not be spoken to foreigners too; but He makes it an aggravation of their sin, that they spared not even their brethren. Besides, and above all outward ordinances ( ), God requires truth and justice. judgment of . . . peace —Equitable decisions tend to allay feuds and produce peace. gates —the place where courts of judicature in the East were held.

‏ Zechariah 8:16

16, 17. The promised blessings are connected with obedience. God's covenanted grace will lead those truly blessed by it to holiness, not licentiousness.

truth to . . . neighbour—not that the truth should not be spoken to foreigners too; but He makes it an aggravation of their sin, that they spared not even their brethren. Besides, and above all outward ordinances (Zec 7:3), God requires truth and justice.

judgment of . . . peace—Equitable decisions tend to allay feuds and produce peace.

gates—the place where courts of judicature in the East were held.

‏ Ephesians 4:25

25. Wherefore—From the general character of "the new man," there will necessarily result the particular features which he now details.

putting away—Greek, "having put away" once for all.

lying—"falsehood": the abstract. "Speak ye truth each one with his neighbor," is quoted, slightly changed, from Zec 8:16. For "to," Paul quotes it "with," to mark our inner connection with one another, as "members one of another" [STIER]. Not merely members of one body. Union to one another in Christ, not merely the external command, instinctively leads Christians to fulfil mutual duties. One member could not injure or deceive another, without injuring himself, as all have a mutual and common interest.