CONVERSATION. There are three different Gr. nouns which are tr. “conversation” in the KJV—and not one of them means conversation in the modern sense of the term. The Eng. word occurs once in the RSV NT (Luke 24:17), where it accords with today’s usage.

The word most frequently rendered “conversation” (in KJV) is ἀναστροφή, G419. It literally means “a turning up and down” or “a turning again.” In late Gr. writers, as in the NT, it is used in the sense of “way of life, conduct, behavior.” This word is found thirteen times in the NT—most frequently in 1 Peter (six times) and 2 Peter (twice)—and is always tr. “conversation.” It should be rendered “conduct.”

The other two nouns occur only once each. The first, πολίτευμα, G4487, means “citizenship” or “commonwealth” and is found only in Philippians 3:20. The thought is well expressed by Phillips: “We are citizens of heaven” (cf. NEB).

The third noun is τρόπος, G5573. Only in Hebrews 13:5 (KJV) is it tr. “conversation.” Its basic meaning is “manner” or “way.” When used with persons it means “manner of life” or “conduct.” The earliest use of “conversation” for talking cited in OED is dated 1580.