The article investigates the appearance of the double expressions δικαιοσύνη (dikaiosúne) - ὁσιότης (hosiótes) [justice - godliness] and δικαιοσύνη - εὐσεβέια (eusebéia) [justícia - piety] in texts of the New Testament written around the year 80 to 90 d. C., and discusses its functions and meanings in a double perspective: first, as an integration of a classic expression of the Greek-Roman world of civic and religious duties by the church after the end of the expectation (...) of the proximity of the parousia; second as an Christian interpretation of those duties, and as support of the introduction of new attitudes, both in the religious setting as in the public sphere. Seen together it is suggested that this double movement - integrate and reread - can serve as inspiration for the construction of a public theology today. (shrink)