Not the new man, for he is perfect. But how those who insist on the perfection of the new man and the unchangeablenes5 of the old can teach progress, we do not see. These questions, thus asked and answered, lead us to the simple conclusion that the language of the apostle is figurative. There is no figure in the matter. Only a rationalist would say so.
Bible words are all real and literal.
There are figures in Scripture. They were the rationalists. He was the rationalist. The disciples and Nicodemus, by their literalities, turned our Lord's words into foolishness. So do some among us, by their teaching as to the old and new man.