AC 2227 - Two Kinds of Good

AC 2227

Truth derived from good
is in the genuine sense spiritual good,
for there are two kinds of good,
quite distinct and separate from each other,
namely celestial good and spiritual good.
Celestial good is the manifestation
of love to the Lord,
spiritual good the manifestation
of love towards the neighbor.
From the former, that is, celestial good,
flows the latter,
that is, spiritual good;
for no one is able to love the Lord
unless he also loves the neighbor.
Love to the Lord embraces love towards the neighbor,
for love to the Lord originates in the Lord,
thus in Love itself towards the whole human race.
Abiding in love to the Lord
is the same as abiding in the Lord,
and one who abides in the Lord
must inevitably abide in His love
which is directed towards the human race,
and thus towards the neighbor,
so that in him both kinds of good are present -
both celestial and spiritual.
Celestial good is indeed good itself,
but spiritual good is in fact truth
that goes with or is derived from that celestial good.
This truth, as stated, is spiritual good.
It is celestial good that is meant by 'great',
but spiritual good by 'numerous'.