Mon 18May09: 1 Peter 2: 11-15KJV
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. v12
In the English of the KJV, translated in 1611, the word conversation refers to our behaviour, our conduct or the way we live our lives rather than our talking to one another. Thus, having "honest conversation" is translated as living "good lives" in the NIV and having "honourable conduct" in the NKJV. And, using its original connotation, such honest conversation should be shown in our good works which are seen by our non-believing friends, or the pagans (NIV) or simply "the others" (CEB).
It is noteworthy that Peter tells us in verse 11 to regard ourselves as strangers and pilgrims in this world, through which we sojourn, and that we are to stay away from fleshly desires which war against our souls. Falling prey to such desires or lusts would be detrimental to our honest conversation, particularly when we are surrounded by "other" people who slander us as evil-doers.
Reading from verses 13 and 14, it appears to me that a basic element of our honest Christian conversation would be to live in submission to authorities, Kings and governors alike.
Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him as punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. v13, 14
Dear Christian, this is the will of God. It is by such good conduct, by doing well in our lives in submission to authorities, that our honest conversation should become obvious to the Gentiles of this world, so that they will eventually glorify God on the day of the Lord's return and so that we may put to silence the "ignorance of foolish men" (verse 15).
