The noun anastrophē (from anastrephō, to turn about, to conduct oneself) refers to one's way of life or habitual manner of living — the characteristic pattern of behavior that defines a person. It is not a single action but the cumulative testimony of all one's actions and attitudes over time.
Paul uses anastrophē in Galatians 1:13 to describe his former 'way of life in Judaism' — the persecuting, law-zealous behavior that Christ transformed. Ephesians 4:22 calls believers to 'put off your old self, which belongs to your former anastrophē' — indicating that coming to Christ requires a complete lifestyle change, not just belief adjustment. Peter employs anastrophē powerfully in 1 Peter 1:15–18: 'Be holy in all you do [anastrophē]; for it is written: Be holy, because I am holy.' In 1 Peter 3:1–2, wives' conduct (anastrophē) is said to be a silent witness that can win unbelieving husbands — the testimony of a transformed life speaks louder than words. The concept connects to Paul's ethic: believers are 'walking letters' whose lived anastrophē is the most legible reading of the gospel.