Topical Encyclopedia
In the Bible, the concept of conversation extends beyond mere verbal exchange to encompass one's conduct, behavior, and manner of life. The term is often used to describe the way individuals live out their faith and interact with others, reflecting their inner beliefs and values.
Old Testament ContextWhile the specific term "conversation" as understood in modern English is not prevalent in the Old Testament, the principles governing speech and conduct are deeply embedded in the Hebrew Scriptures. Proverbs, for instance, offers extensive wisdom on the power of words and the importance of righteous speech.
Proverbs 15:1 states, "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger," highlighting the impact of conversation on relationships and community harmony.
The Old Testament also emphasizes the importance of living a life that reflects one's covenant relationship with God. In
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 , the Israelites are instructed, "These words I am commanding you today are to be upon your hearts. And you shall teach them diligently to your children and speak of them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." This passage underscores the integration of God's commandments into daily life and conversation.
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, the Greek word "anastrophe," often translated as "conversation" in older English versions, refers to one's conduct or manner of life. The apostle Peter uses this term to encourage believers to live holy lives. In
1 Peter 1:15 , he writes, "But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do." Here, "in all you do" encompasses both speech and actions, urging Christians to reflect God's holiness in their entire way of life.
The apostle Paul also addresses the importance of conversation in the context of Christian living. In
Ephesians 4:29 , he exhorts, "Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen." This instruction highlights the transformative power of words and the responsibility of believers to use their speech for edification and grace.
Conversation and WitnessThe New Testament further links conversation with the believer's witness to the world. In
Colossians 4:5-6 , Paul advises, "Act wisely toward outsiders, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." This passage emphasizes the role of conversation in evangelism and the importance of being prepared to share the gospel through both words and actions.
James, the brother of Jesus, also addresses the significance of conversation in the life of a believer. In
James 3:2 , he acknowledges, "We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to control his whole body." James underscores the challenge of controlling one's tongue and the broader implications of speech on personal holiness and community life.
ConclusionThroughout Scripture, conversation is portrayed as a vital aspect of a believer's life, reflecting their relationship with God and their commitment to living out the principles of their faith. Whether through direct speech or the broader conduct of life, the Bible calls for a conversation that is holy, edifying, and a testament to the transformative power of the gospel.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Generally the goings out and in of social intercourse (
Ephesians 2:3;
4:22; R.V., "manner of life"); one's deportment or course of life. This word is never used in Scripture in the sense of verbal communication from one to another (
Psalm 50:23;
Hebrews 13:5). In
Philippians 1:27 and
3:20, a different Greek word is used. It there means one's relations to a community as a citizen, i.e., citizenship.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) General course of conduct; behavior.
2. (n.) Familiar intercourse; intimate fellowship or association; close acquaintance.
3. (n.) Commerce; intercourse; traffic.
4. (n.) Colloquial discourse; oral interchange of sentiments and observations; informal dialogue.
5. (n.) Sexual intercourse; as, criminal conversation.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
CONVERSATIONkon-ver-sa'-shun (anastrophe, homilia): This word is another illustration of the changes which time makes in a living language. The modern sense of the term is mutual talk, colloquy, but in the King James Version it never means that, but always behavior, conduct. This broader meaning, at a time not much later than the date of the King James Version, began to yield to the special, limited one of today, perhaps, as has been suggested, because speech forms so large a part of conduct. The New Testament words for "converse" in the modern sense are homileo (Luke 24:14, 15Acts 20:11) and sunomileo (Acts 10:27).
(1) In the Old Testament the word used to indicate conduct is derekh, "way" the course one travels (the King James VersionPsalm 37:14; margin 50:23). It is the common Hebrew idea of conduct, possibly due, as Hatch thinks, to the fact that in Syria intercourse between village and village was so much on foot, with difficulty on stony tracks over the hills, and this is reflected in the metaphor.
(2) In the New Testament the idea of deportment is once rendered by tropos, "Let your conversation be without covetousness" (Hebrews 13:5 the King James Version; the Revised Version (British and American) "be ye free from the love of money"; the Revised Version, margin "let your turn of mind be free"). But the usual Greek word is anastrophe, "a turning up and down," possibly due to the fact, as Hatch again avers, that life in the bustling streets of Athens and Rome gave rise to the conception of life as quick motion to and fro. "Ye have heard of my conversation" (Galatians 1:13 the King James Version; the Revised Version (British and American) "manner of life"). So alsoEphesians 4:221 Timothy 4:1Hebrews 13:7; "Let him show out of a good conversation" (James 3:13 the King James Version; the Revised Version (British and American) "by his good life"); "vexed with the filthy conversation" (2 Peter 2:7 the King James Version; the Revised Version (British and American) "lascivious life"); "holy conversation" (2 Peter 3:11 the King James Version; the Revised Version (British and American) "holy living"); "Our conversation is in heaven" (Philippians 3:20 the King James Version; the Revised Version (British and American) "citizenship" (which see)). See also in the Apocrypha (Tobit 4:14; 2 Maccabees 5:8).
The translations in the Revisions put a wholesome emphasis upon conduct, and eliminate the danger of much misunderstanding. See further Hatch, Essays in Biblical Greek.
G. H. Trever
Greek
4176. politeuomai -- to live as a citizen... let
conversation be, live. Middle voice of a derivative of polites; to behave as
a citizen (figuratively) -- let
conversation be, live. see GREEK polites.
...3657. homilia -- company, association
... Noun, Feminine Transliteration: homilia Phonetic Spelling: (hom-il-ee'-ah) Short
Definition: intercourse, companionship,conversation Definition: intercourse...
4175. politeuma -- a form of government, citizenship
... citizenship, community,conversation. From politeuomai; a community, ie (abstractly)
citizenship (figuratively) --conversation. see GREEK politeuomai....
611. apokrinomai -- to answer
... Transliteration: apokrinomai Phonetic Spelling: (ap-ok-ree'-nom-ahee) Short Definition:
I answer, reply Definition: I answer, reply, take up theconversation....
1255. dialaleo -- to discuss
... Phonetic Spelling: (dee-al-al-eh'-o) Short Definition: I converse together, talk
of Definition: I converse together, talk of; ofconversation passing from...
5010. taxis -- an arranging, order
... See 5021 (). [5010 ("orderly array") was a military term in ancient Greece and thus
used as a ready "metaphor in Paul'sconversation with the soldiers in His...
1258. dialektos -- speech, language
... Transliteration: dialektos Phonetic Spelling: (dee-al'-ek-tos) Short Definition:
language, speech Definition: language, speech,conversation, manner of speaking...
391. anastrophe -- behavior, conduct
... behavior. From anastrepho; behavior --conversation. see GREEK anastrepho.
(anastrophais) -- 1 Occurrence. (anastrophe) -- 2 Occurrences....
5158. tropos -- a way, manner, fashion
... or style (especially with preposition or relative prefix as adverb, like); figuratively,
deportment or character -- (even) as,conversation, (+ like) manner...
390. anastrepho -- to overturn, turn back
... From ana and strepho; to overturn; also to return; by implication, to busy oneself,
ie Remain, live -- abide, behave self, haveconversation, live, overthrow...
Strong's Hebrew
1870. derek -- way, road, distance, journey, manner... wherever* (1). along, away, because of, by,
conversation, custom, eastward,
journey,. From darak; a road (as trodden); figuratively
...1697. dabar -- speech, word
... 1), concerned (1), concerning (1), concerning* (3), conclusion* (1), conditions
(1), conduct (2), conferred (1), consultation (1),conversation (1), counsel (1...
Library
Conversation and Public Speaking
...CONVERSATION AND PUBLIC SPEAKING. The ideal style of public speaking is, with
very little modification, the ideal of goodconversation....
FourthConversation
... CONVERSATIONS FOURTHCONVERSATION. The manner of going to God. * Hearty
renunciation. * Prayer and praise prevent discouragement....
ChristianConversation
... ChristianConversation. A Sermon... They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and
talk of thy power." A saint will often be discovered by hisconversation....
SecondConversation
... CONVERSATIONS SECONDCONVERSATION. Love the motive of all. * Once in fear, now in
joy. * Diligence and love. Simplicity the key to Divine assistance....
ThirdConversation
... CONVERSATIONS THIRDCONVERSATION. Faith working by love. * Outward business
no detriment. * Perfect resignation the sure way. He...
TheConversation with the Samaritan Woman.
... CHAPTER II. THE PLAN OF CHRIST IN ITS RELATION TO THE OLD TESTAMENT IDEA OF THE
KINGDOM OF GOD. Section 55. TheConversation with the Samaritan Woman....
The First Chapter: the InwardConversation of Christ with the...
... BOOK THREE. INTERNAL CONSOLATION The First Chapter: The InwardConversation
of Christ with the Faithful Soul. I WILL hear what the...
AConversation Interrupted.
... Homily VIII. Chapter III."AConversation Interrupted. But awaking about
the second cock-crowing, he found us astir. We were in...
Of theConversation Between John and Jesus at the Baptism...
... Sixth Book. 31. Of theConversation Between John and Jesus at the Baptism,
Recorded by Matthew Only. John the disciple does not...
On St. Philip'sConversation with Christ He that Hath Seen Me...
... Chapter XXIV."On St. Philip'sConversation with Christ He that Hath Seen Me, Hath
Seen the Father. This Text Explained in an Anti-Praxean Sense....
Thesaurus
Conversation (30 Occurrences)... informal dialogue. 5. (n.) Sexual intercourse; as, criminal
conversation.
Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
CONVERSATION. kon-ver
...Converse (5 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) Frequent intercourse; familiar communion; intimate association. 5. (n.)
Familiar discourse; free interchange of thoughts or views;conversation; chat....
Whereas (55 Occurrences)
... 1 Peter 2:12 Having yourconversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they
speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they...
Talk (164 Occurrences)
... French. 5. (vt) To deliver in talking; to speak; to utter; to make a subject
ofconversation; as, to talk nonsense; to talk politics. 6...
You-ward (9 Occurrences)
... the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with
fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had ourconversation in the...
Question (153 Occurrences)
... question. 6. (n.) Talk;conversation; speech; speech. 7. (n.) To ask questions;
to inquire. 8. (n.) To argue; to converse; to dispute....
Vexed (37 Occurrences)
... healed every one. (KJV ASV). 2 Peter 2:7 And delivered just Lot, vexed with
the filthyconversation of the wicked: (KJV). 2 Peter 2...
Upstairs (8 Occurrences)
... Acts 20:11 Then he went upstairs again, broke bread, and took some food; and after
a longconversation which was continued till daybreak, at last he parted...
Oath (286 Occurrences)
... Matthew 26:64), and Paul (Romans 9:1; Galatians 1:20; Philippians 1:8). The precept,
"Swear not at all," refers probably to ordinaryconversation between man...
Ordereth (2 Occurrences)
... Ordereth (2 Occurrences). Psalms 50:23 Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and
to him that ordereth hisconversation aright will I shew the salvation of God....
Resources
What is a Jesus juke? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is ipsissima vox? What is ipsissima verba? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are some English words that have changed in meaning since the translation of the KJV? | GotQuestions.orgConversation: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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