Nonverbal Communication in the Bible and Christian Living

Nonverbal communication, encompassing actions, deportment, and even one's very being, plays a significant role in biblical understanding and Christian living, often conveying messages as profoundly as spoken words. The Bible itself uses the term "conversation" not in the modern sense of verbal exchange, but to describe one's overall manner of life or deportment ^[2]. This broader understanding of communication highlights how a person's conduct, rather than just their speech, serves as a powerful testimony or message.

The Apostle Paul, for instance, describes believers as "manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ," written not with ink or on stone tablets, but "with the Spirit of the living God" on the "fleshy tables of the heart" ^{[4, 5]}. This imagery suggests that the lives of Christians are living letters, read and known by others, serving as a testament to Christ's work ^[10]. This "epistle" is not primarily verbal but is expressed through their transformed lives and actions. The "goings out and in of social intercourse" and one's "deportment or course of life" are central to this biblical concept of "conversation" ^[2].

The importance of nonverbal communication is also evident in ethical exhortations. For example, believers are urged to "walk in wisdom" in their interactions with those outside the Christian community, "redeeming the time" ^[9]. This "walking in wisdom" implies a careful and prudent conduct that avoids being a stumbling block to others, demonstrating practical Christian prudence through actions rather than just words ^[9]. Similarly, the concept of "walking in darkness" is contrasted with "walking in the light," indicating that one's actions and lifestyle reveal their true spiritual state, regardless of what they might profess verbally ^{[8, 11]}. To "lie" in this context means to contradict one's verbal profession with one's practical conduct ^[8].

The New Testament emphasizes that Christian life is characterized by actions that demonstrate faith and love. For instance, "to do good and to communicate" are described as "continual sacrifices which God requires," springing from a sense of God's love ^[7]. These acts of kindness and charity are considered essential expressions of faith, alongside praise, prayer, and thanksgiving ^[7]. This underscores that genuine faith is not merely an intellectual assent or verbal declaration, but is visibly expressed through one's deeds.

Even in the context of verbal communication, the Bible places importance on the sincerity and integrity behind the words. Jesus teaches, "But your comunicacion shalbe ye ye: nay nay. For whatsoeuer is more then yt cometh of yvell" ^[1]. This instruction highlights the importance of straightforwardness and honesty, implying that excessive or insincere speech can indicate a deeper issue.

The "word of God" itself, while primarily understood as written and spoken revelation, is also presented as the means or medium through which spiritual new birth occurs ^{[3, 6]}. This "imperishable seed" of the word of God leads to a spiritual relationship that gives rise to "spiritual, and therefore abiding love" ^[6]. This new birth, facilitated by the divine word, transforms individuals, leading to a new manner of life that communicates God's work nonverbally.

Sources

Matthew “Matthew 5:37 (Tyndale) — But your comunicacion shalbe ye ye: nay nay. For whatsoeuer is more then yt cometh of yvell.”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Conversation — Generally the goings out and in of social intercourse (Eph. 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 (Ps. 50:23; Heb. 13:5). In Phil. 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.”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Word of God — (Heb. 4:12, etc.). The Bible so called because the writers of its several books were God's organs in communicating his will to men. It is his "word," because he speaks to us in its sacred pages. Whatever the inspired writers here declare to be true and binding upon us, God declares to be true and binding. This word is infallible, because written under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and therefore free from all error of fact or doctrine or precept. (See [670]INSPIRATION; [671]BIBLE.) All saving knowledge is obtained from the word of God. In the case of ”
King James Version “[KJV] 2 Corinthians 3:3 — Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.”
II Corinthians “II Corinthians 3:3 (Darby) — being manifested to be Christ's epistle ministered by us, written, not with ink, but [the] Spirit of [the] livingGod; not on stone tables, but on fleshy tables of [the] heart.”
1 Peter (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Peter 1:23: Christian brotherhood flows from our new birth of an imperishable seed, the abiding word of God. This is the consideration urged here to lead us to exercise brotherly love. As natural relationship gives rise to natural affection, so spiritual relationship gives rise to spiritual, and therefore abiding love, even as the seed from which it springs is abiding, not transitory as earthly things. of . . . of . . . by--"The word of God" is not the material of the spiritual new birth, but its mean or medium. By means of the word the man receives the incorru”
Hebrews (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Hebrews 13:16: But to do good and to communicate - These are continual sacrifices which God requires, and which will spring from a sense of God's love in Christ Jesus. Praise to God for his unspeakable gift, and acts of kindness to men for God's sake. No reliance, even on the infinitely meritorious sacrifice of Christ, can be acceptable in the sight of God if a man have not love and charity towards his neighbor. Praise, prayer, and thanksgiving to God, with works of charity and mercy to man, are the sacrifices which every genuine follower of Christ must offer: and they are the p”
1 John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 John 1:6: say--profess. have fellowship with him-- (Jo1 1:3). The essence of the Christian life. walk--in inward and outward action, whithersoever we turn ourselves [BENGEL]. in darkness--Greek, "in the darkness"; opposed to "the light" (compare Jo1 2:8, Jo1 2:11). lie-- (Jo1 2:4). do not--in practice, whatever we say. the truth-- (Eph 4:21; Joh 3:21).”
Colossians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Colossians 4:5: (See on Eph 5:15-16.) in wisdom--practical Christian prudence. them . . . without--Those not in the Christian brotherhood (Co1 5:12; Th1 4:12). The brethren, through love, will make allowances for an indiscreet act or word of a brother; the world will make none. Therefore be the more on your guard in your intercourse with the latter, lest you be a stumbling-block to their conversion. redeeming the time--The Greek expresses, buying up for yourselves, and buying off from worldly vanities the opportunity, whenever it is afforded you, of good to y”
2 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Corinthians 3:2: our epistle--of recommendation. in our hearts--not letters borne merely in the hands. Your conversion through my instrumentality, and your faith which is "known of all men" by widespread report (Co1 1:4-7), and which is written by memory and affection on my inmost heart and is borne about wherever I go, is my letter of recommendation (Co1 9:2). known and read--words akin in root, sound, and sense (so Co2 1:13). "Ye are known to be my converts by general knowledge: then ye are known more particularly by your reflecting my doctrine in your Chri”
1 John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 John 1:5: First division of the body of the Epistle (compare Introduction). declare--Greek, "announce"; report in turn; a different Greek word from Jo1 1:3. As the Son announced the message heard from the Father as His apostle, so the Son's apostles announce what they have heard from the Son. John nowhere uses the term "Gospel"; but the witness or testimony, the word, the truth, and here the message. God is light--What light is in the natural world, that God, the source of even material light, is in the spiritual, the fountain of wisdom, purity, beauty, joy, ”

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