conversation meaning in the KJV

Meaning in context

Conversation in many KJV passages describes how people live, rather than merely the words they exchange. In 1 Peter 1:15 it concerns the whole manner of life in which holiness is required.

In Philippians 1:27, the surrounding instruction concerns living in a manner fitting the gospel. Philippians 3:20 has a more specific setting: the believer’s heavenly citizenship or commonwealth, from which the Saviour is awaited.

Do not force every occurrence into one definition. Conduct and citizenship are related in these passages, but the original-language terms and immediate sentences are not interchangeable. Compare the chapter notes for each reference.

KJV examples

1 Peter 1:15 KJV

But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;

The requirement concerns holiness in the whole manner of life.

Philippians 1:27 KJV

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;

The instruction concerns conduct fitting the gospel of Christ.

Philippians 3:20 KJV

For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

The context concerns heavenly citizenship and awaiting the Saviour.

First exact-word occurrence

Psalms 37:14 KJV

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.

This is the earliest occurrence of this exact English spelling in canonical KJV Bible order. A related word form, a subject, or a person may appear earlier.

Find every occurrence

The exact English word conversation appears 20 times in 20 KJV verses. Counts ignore letter case and exclude other spellings and word forms.

For original-language details, select the word in the particular chapter. A word can represent different terms or constructions in different verses.

Related word studies

• peculiar

  Peculiar describes a special possession or a people belonging to God in these KJV passages.

• charity

  Charity in these KJV passages is love expressed in its character and actions.

Study method

These explanations are separate study notes. Every Scripture quotation above is copied from the existing KJV chapter text. Read the whole chapter and compare the setting before applying a meaning to another occurrence.

• Difficult and archaic KJV words
• Methodology and sources