Bible Dictionary: Conversation

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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

CONVERSATION

kon-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, 15 Acts 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 Version Psalm 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 also Ephesians 4:22 1 Timothy 4:1 Hebrews 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. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4176.htm - 6k

3657. homilia -- company, association
... Noun, Feminine Transliteration: homilia Phonetic Spelling: (hom-il-ee'-ah) Short
Definition: intercourse, companionship, conversation Definition: intercourse ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3657.htm - 6k

4175. politeuma -- a form of government, citizenship
... citizenship, community, conversation. From politeuomai; a community, ie (abstractly)
citizenship (figuratively) -- conversation. see GREEK politeuomai. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4175.htm - 6k

611. apokrinomai -- to answer
... Transliteration: apokrinomai Phonetic Spelling: (ap-ok-ree'-nom-ahee) Short Definition:
I answer, reply Definition: I answer, reply, take up the conversation. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/611.htm - 8k

1255. dialaleo -- to discuss
... Phonetic Spelling: (dee-al-al-eh'-o) Short Definition: I converse together, talk
of Definition: I converse together, talk of; of conversation passing from ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1255.htm - 6k

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's conversation with the soldiers in His ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5010.htm - 7k

1258. dialektos -- speech, language
... Transliteration: dialektos Phonetic Spelling: (dee-al'-ek-tos) Short Definition:
language, speech Definition: language, speech, conversation, manner of speaking ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1258.htm - 6k

391. anastrophe -- behavior, conduct
... behavior. From anastrepho; behavior -- conversation. see GREEK anastrepho.
(anastrophais) -- 1 Occurrence. (anastrophe) -- 2 Occurrences. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/391.htm - 7k

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 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5158.htm - 7k

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, have conversation, live, overthrow ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/390.htm - 7k

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 ...
/hebrew/1870.htm - 6k

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 ...
/hebrew/1697.htm - 8k

Library

Conversation and Public Speaking
... CONVERSATION AND PUBLIC SPEAKING. The ideal style of public speaking is, with
very little modification, the ideal of good conversation. ...
/.../kleiser/talks on talking/conversation and public speaking.htm

Fourth Conversation
... CONVERSATIONS FOURTH CONVERSATION. The manner of going to God. * Hearty
renunciation. * Prayer and praise prevent discouragement. ...
/.../lawrence/the practice of the presence of god/fourth conversation.htm

Christian Conversation
... Christian Conversation. A Sermon ... They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and
talk of thy power." A saint will often be discovered by his conversation. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 46 1900/christian conversation.htm

Second Conversation
... CONVERSATIONS SECOND CONVERSATION. Love the motive of all. * Once in fear, now in
joy. * Diligence and love. Simplicity the key to Divine assistance. ...
/.../lawrence/the practice of the presence of god/second conversation.htm

Third Conversation
... CONVERSATIONS THIRD CONVERSATION. Faith working by love. * Outward business
no detriment. * Perfect resignation the sure way. He ...
/.../lawrence/the practice of the presence of god/third conversation.htm

The Conversation 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. The Conversation with the Samaritan Woman. ...
/.../section 55 the conversation with.htm

The First Chapter: the Inward Conversation of Christ with the ...
... BOOK THREE. INTERNAL CONSOLATION The First Chapter: The Inward Conversation
of Christ with the Faithful Soul. I WILL hear what the ...
/.../kempis/the imitation of christ/the first chapter the inward.htm

A Conversation Interrupted.
... Homily VIII. Chapter III."A Conversation Interrupted. But awaking about
the second cock-crowing, he found us astir. We were in ...
/.../unknown/the clementine homilies/chapter iii a conversation interrupted.htm

Of the Conversation Between John and Jesus at the Baptism ...
... Sixth Book. 31. Of the Conversation Between John and Jesus at the Baptism,
Recorded by Matthew Only. John the disciple does not ...
/.../origens commentary on the gospel of john/31 of the conversation between.htm

On St. Philip's Conversation with Christ He that Hath Seen Me ...
... Chapter XXIV."On St. Philip's Conversation with Christ He that Hath Seen Me, Hath
Seen the Father. This Text Explained in an Anti-Praxean Sense. ...
/.../tertullian/against praxeas/chapter xxiv on st philips conversation.htm

Thesaurus

Conversation (30 Occurrences)
... informal dialogue. 5. (n.) Sexual intercourse; as, criminal conversation.
Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. CONVERSATION. kon-ver ...
/c/conversation.htm - 19k

Converse (5 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) Frequent intercourse; familiar communion; intimate association. 5. (n.)
Familiar discourse; free interchange of thoughts or views; conversation; chat. ...
/c/converse.htm - 8k

Whereas (55 Occurrences)
... 1 Peter 2:12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they
speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they ...
/w/whereas.htm - 24k

Talk (164 Occurrences)
... French. 5. (vt) To deliver in talking; to speak; to utter; to make a subject
of conversation; as, to talk nonsense; to talk politics. 6 ...
/t/talk.htm - 36k

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 our conversation in the ...
/y/you-ward.htm - 9k

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. ...
/q/question.htm - 37k

Vexed (37 Occurrences)
... healed every one. (KJV ASV). 2 Peter 2:7 And delivered just Lot, vexed with
the filthy conversation of the wicked: (KJV). 2 Peter 2 ...
/v/vexed.htm - 16k

Upstairs (8 Occurrences)
... Acts 20:11 Then he went upstairs again, broke bread, and took some food; and after
a long conversation which was continued till daybreak, at last he parted ...
/u/upstairs.htm - 8k

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 ordinary conversation between man ...
/o/oath.htm - 47k

Ordereth (2 Occurrences)
... Ordereth (2 Occurrences). Psalms 50:23 Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and
to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God. ...
/o/ordereth.htm - 6k

Bible Concordance

Conversation (30 Occurrences)

Matthew 22:15 Then the Pharisees went and consulted together how they might entrap Him in His conversation.
(WEY)

Mark 12:13 Their next step was to send to Him some of the Pharisees and of Herod's partisans to entrap Him in conversation.
(WEY)

Luke 1:65 And fear came upon all who dwelt round about them; and in the whole hill-country of Judaea all these things were the subject of conversation.
(DBY)

Luke 24:15 and, in the midst of their conversation and discussion, Jesus Himself came and joined them,
(WEY)

Luke 24:17 He said to them, "What are you talking about as you walk, and are sad?"
(See RSV)

John 1:28 This conversation took place at Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
(WEY)

Acts 20:11 Then he went upstairs again, broke bread, and took some food; and after a long conversation which was continued till daybreak, at last he parted from them.
(WEY)

2 Corinthians 1:12 For 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.
(KJV DBY)

Galatians 1:13 For 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:
(KJV DBY)

Ephesians 2:3 Among 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.
(KJV DBY)

Ephesians 4:22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
(KJV DBY)

Philippians 1:27 Only 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;
(KJV)

Philippians 3:20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
(KJV WBS)

1 Timothy 4:12 Let 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.
(KJV)

Hebrews 13:5 Let 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.
(KJV DBY)

Hebrews 13:7 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.
(KJV DBY)

James 3:13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
(KJV DBY)

1 Peter 1:15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
(KJV DBY)

1 Peter 1:18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
(KJV DBY)

1 Peter 2:12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
(KJV DBY)

1 Peter 3:1 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;
(KJV DBY YLT)

1 Peter 3:2 While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.
(KJV DBY)

1 Peter 3:16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
(KJV DBY)

2 Peter 2:7 And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:
(KJV DBY)

2 Peter 3:11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
(KJV DBY)

1 Samuel 19:7 Jonathan called David, and Jonathan showed him all those things. Jonathan brought David to Saul, and he was in his presence, as before.
(See NIV)

Psalms 37:14 The 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.
(KJV)

Psalms 50:23 Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God.
(KJV)

Jeremiah 38:24 Then said Zedekiah to Jeremiah, Let no man know of these words, and you shall not die.
(See NIV)

Jeremiah 38:27 Then came all the princes to Jeremiah, and asked him; and he told them according to all these words that the king had commanded. So they left off speaking with him; for the matter was not perceived.
(See NAS RSV NIV)

Subtopics

Conversation

Conversation: General Scriptures Concerning

Related Terms

Converse (5 Occurrences)

Whereas (55 Occurrences)

Talk (164 Occurrences)

You-ward (9 Occurrences)

Question (153 Occurrences)

Vexed (37 Occurrences)

Upstairs (8 Occurrences)

Oath (286 Occurrences)