Conversation

Dictionary of Biblical Words:

may mean habit of life, as in 2 Cor. 1:12¹²For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward. (2 Corinthians 1:12); Eph. 2:3³Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. (Ephesians 2:3); Heb. 13:5⁵Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. (Hebrews 13:5); or citizenship (Phil. 1:27²⁷Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; (Philippians 1:27)). It also is used in the modern way in 2 Pet. 2:7⁷And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: (2 Peter 2:7), &c.

Concise Bible Dictionary:

This word is not used in scripture in the sense of familiar discourse. It occurs in the Old Testament in Psalm 37:14¹⁴The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation. (Psalm 37:14) and Psalm 50:23²³Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I show the salvation of God. (Psalm 50:23), and refers to the walk; it reads in the margin “the upright of way,” that “disposeth his way.” In the New Testament the word ἀναστροθή has a similar sense of “walk, conduct, behavior” (Gal. 1:13¹³For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: (Galatians 1:13); Eph. 4:22²²That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; (Ephesians 4:22); 1 Tim. 4:12¹²Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. (1 Timothy 4:12)); and in all other passages except Philippians 1:27²⁷Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; (Philippians 1:27); and Philippians 3:20²⁰For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: (Philippians 3:20) (where it is πολίτευμα, “citizenship” which for the Christian is in heaven, separating him from citizenship on earth and its politics); and Hebrews 13:5⁵Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. (Hebrews 13:5), τρόπος, “general manner of life.”