Hope, in the biblical context, is a profound and central theme that permeates the Scriptures, offering believers a confident expectation and assurance in the promises of God. It is not merely wishful thinking or optimism but a steadfast trust in God's faithfulness and His future plans for His people.

Old Testament Foundations

The concept of hope is deeply rooted in the Old Testament, where it is often associated with waiting and trusting in God. The Hebrew word "tikvah" is frequently used to denote hope, conveying a sense of expectation and longing. In the Psalms, hope is a recurring theme, as the psalmists express their reliance on God's deliverance and faithfulness. Psalm 39:7 states, "And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in You."

The prophets also speak of hope, particularly in the context of Israel's exile and the promise of restoration. Jeremiah 29:11 offers a message of hope to the exiled Israelites: "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope."

New Testament Fulfillment

In the New Testament, hope takes on a more defined and fulfilled dimension through the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Greek word "elpis" is used to describe this hope, which is anchored in the resurrection of Christ and the promise of eternal life. The Apostle Paul frequently emphasizes hope in his epistles, linking it to faith and love as foundational Christian virtues. In Romans 5:5 , Paul writes, "And hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us."

Hope is also portrayed as an essential aspect of the believer's salvation. In Titus 1:2 , Paul speaks of "the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began." This hope is not only for the future but also impacts the present, providing strength and encouragement in the face of trials and suffering.

Hope in the Life of the Believer

For Christians, hope is both a present reality and a future expectation. It is a source of comfort and strength, enabling believers to endure hardships and remain steadfast in their faith. Hebrews 6:19 describes hope as "an anchor for the soul, firm and secure," highlighting its stabilizing effect in the midst of life's storms.

Hope also motivates believers to live holy and godly lives, as they anticipate the return of Christ and the fulfillment of God's promises. In 1 Peter 1:13 , believers are exhorted to "set your hope fully on the grace to be given you at the revelation of Jesus Christ."

Eschatological Hope

The ultimate hope for Christians is eschatological, looking forward to the return of Christ and the establishment of God's eternal kingdom. This hope is characterized by the anticipation of the resurrection of the dead, the final judgment, and the renewal of all creation. Revelation 21:4 offers a vision of this future hope: "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away."

In summary, biblical hope is a confident expectation rooted in the character and promises of God, fulfilled in Jesus Christ, and sustained by the Holy Spirit. It is a vital aspect of the Christian faith, providing assurance and motivation for believers as they navigate the challenges of life and look forward to the ultimate fulfillment of God's redemptive plan.One of the three main elements of Christian character (1 Corinthians 13:13). It is joined to faith and love, and is opposed to seeing or possessing (Romans 8:24; 1 John 3:2). "Hope is an essential and fundamental element of Christian life, so essential indeed, that, like faith and love, it can itself designate the essence of Christianity (1 Peter 3:15; Hebrews 10:23). In it the whole glory of the Christian vocation is centred (Ephesians 1:18; 4:4)." Unbelievers are without this hope (Ephesians 2:12; 1 Thessalonians 4:13). Christ is the actual object of the believer's hope, because it is in his second coming that the hope of glory will be fulfilled (1 Timothy 1:1; Colossians 1:27; Titus 2:13). It is spoken of as "lively", i.e., a living, hope, a hope not frail and perishable, but having a perennial life (1 Peter 1:3). In Romans 5:2 the "hope" spoken of is probably objective, i.e., "the hope set before us," namely, eternal life (Comp. 12:12). In 1 John 3:3 the expression "hope in him" ought rather to be, as in the Revised Version, "hope on him," i.e., a hope based on God. 1. (n.) A sloping plain between mountain ridges.

2. (n.) A small bay; an inlet; a haven.

3. (n.) A desire of some good, accompanied with an expectation of obtaining it, or a belief that it is obtainable; an expectation of something which is thought to be desirable; confidence; pleasing expectancy.

4. (n.) One who, or that which, gives hope, furnishes ground of expectation, or promises desired good.

5. (n.) That which is hoped for; an object of hope.

6. (v. i.) To entertain or indulge hope; to cherish a desire of good, or of something welcome, with expectation of obtaining it or belief that it is obtainable; to expect; -- usually followed by for.

7. (v. i.) To place confidence; to trust with confident expectation of good; -- usually followed by in.

8. (v. t.) To desire with expectation or with belief in the possibility or prospect of obtaining; to look forward to as a thing desirable, with the expectation of obtaining it; to cherish hopes of.

9. (v. t.) To expect; to fear.

HOPE

hop:

1. In the Old Testament:

In the Revised Version (British and American) the New Testament "hope" represents the noun elpis (52 t), and the verb elpizo (31 t). King James Version, however, renders the noun in Hebrews 10:23 by "faith," and for the verb gives "trust" in 18 cases (apparently without much system, e.g. in Philippians 2 compare 2:19 and 23; see TRUST), while in Luke 6:35 it translates apelpizo, by "hoping for nothing again" (the Revised Version (British and American) "never despairing"). But in the Old Testament there is no Hebrew word that has the exact force of "expectation of some good thing," so that in the King James Version "hope" (noun and vb.) stands for some 15 Hebrew words, nearly all of which in other places are given other translation (e.g. mibhTach, is rendered "hope" in Jeremiah 17:17, "trust" in Psalm 40:4, "confidence" in Psalm 65:5). the Revised Version (British and American) has attempted to be more systematic and has, for the most part, kept "hope" for the noun tiqwah, and the verb yachal, but complete consistency was not possible (e.g. Proverbs 10:28; Proverbs 11:23; Proverbs 23:18). This lack of a specific word for hope has nothing to do with any undervaluation of the virtue among the Hebrews. For the religion of the Old Testament is of all things a religion of hope, centered in God, from whom all deliverance and blessings are confidently expected (Jeremiah 17:17 Joel 3:16 Psalm 31:24; Psalm 33:18, 22; 39:7, etc.). The varieties of this hope arc countless (see ISRAEL, RELIGION OF; SALVATION, etc.), but the form most perfected and with fundamental significance for the New Testament is the firm trust that at a time appointed God, in person or through His representative (see MESSIAH), will establish a kingdom of righteousness.

2. In the New Testament:

(1) The proclamation of this coming kingdom of God was the central element in the teaching of Jesus, and the message of its near advent (Mark 1:15, etc.), with the certainty of admission to it for those who accepted His teaching (Luke 12:32, etc.), is the substance of His teaching as to hope. This teaching, though, is delivered in the language of One to whom the realities of the next world and of the future are perfectly familiar; the tone is not that of prediction so much as it is that of the statement of obvious facts. In other words, "hope" to Christ is "certainty," and the word "hope" is never on His lips (Luke 6:34 and John 5:45 are naturally not exceptions). For the details see KINGDOM OF GOD; FAITH; FORGIVENESS, etc. And however far He may have taught that the kingdom was present in His lifetime, none the less the full consummation of that kingdom, with Himself as Messiah, was made by Him a matter of the future (see ESCHATOLOGY OF THE NEW TESTAMENT; PAROUSIA).

(2) Hence, after the ascension the early church was left with an eschatological expectation that was primarily and almost technically the "hope" of the New Testament-"looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ" (Titus 2:13), "unto a living hope., unto an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled,. reserved in heaven for you, who by the power of God are guarded through faith unto a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time" (1 Peter 13-5; compare Romans 5:2; Romans 8:20-24 2 Corinthians 3:12 Ephesians 1:18-21 Colossians 1:5, 23, 17 Titus 1:2; Titus 3:7 1 John 3:2, 3). The foundations of this hope were many:

(a) Primarily, of course, the promises of the Old Testament, which were the basis of Christ's teaching. Such are often quoted at length (Acts 2:16, etc.), while they underlie countless other passages. These promises are the "anchor of hope" that holds the soul fast (Hebrews 6:18-20). In part, then, the earliest Christian expectations coincided with the Jewish, and the "hope of Israel" (Acts 28:20; compare 26:6, 7; Ephesians 2:12, and especially Romans 11:25-32) was a common ground on which Jew and Christian might meet. Still, through the confidence of forgiveness and purification given in the atonement (Hebrews 9:14, etc.), the Christian felt himself to have a "better hope" (Hebrews 7:19), which the Jew could not know.

(b) Specifically Christian, however, was the pledge given in the resurrection of Christ. This sealed His Messiahship and proved His lordship (Romans 1:4 Ephesians 1:18-20 1 Peter 3:21, etc.), so sending forth His followers with the certainty of victory. In addition, Christ's resurrection was felt to be the first step in the general resurrection, and hence, a proof that the consummation of all things had begun (1 Corinthians 15:23; compare Acts 23:6; Acts 24:15; Acts 26:6, 7 1 Thessalonians 4:13, 14, etc.).

(c) But more than all, devotion to Christ produced a religious experience that gave certainty to hope. "Hope putteth not to shame; because the love of God hath been shed abroad in our hearts through the Holy Spirit which was given unto us" (Romans 5:5; compare 8:16, 17; 2 Corinthians 1:22; 2 Corinthians 5:5 Ephesians 1:14, etc., and see HOLY SPIRIT). Even visible miracles were wrought by the Spirit that were signs of the end (Acts 2:17) as well as of the individual's certainty of partaking in the final happiness (Acts 10:47; Acts 19:6, etc.).

(3) Yet, certain though the hope might be, it was not yet attained, and the interim was an opportunity to develop faith, "the substance of the things hoped for" (Hebrews 11:1). Indeed, hope is simply faith directed toward the future, and no sharp distinction between faith and hope is attainable. It is easy enough to see how the King James Version felt "confession of our faith" clearer than "confession of our hope" in Hebrews 10:23, although the rendition of elpis by "faith" was arbitrary. So in Romans 8:20-24, "hope" is scarcely more than "faith" in this specialized aspect. In particular, in 8:24 we have as the most natural translation (compare Ephesians 2:5, 8), "By hope we were saved" (so the King James Version, the English Revised Version, the American Revised Version margin), only a pedantic insistence on words can find in this any departure from the strictest Pauline theology (compare the essential outlook on the future of the classic example of "saving faith" in Romans 4:18-22, especially verse 18). Still, the combination is unusual, and the Greek may be rendered equally well "For hope we were saved" ("in hope" of the American Standard Revised Version is not so good); i.e. our salvation, in so far as it is past, is but to prepare us for what is to come (compare Ephesians 4:4 1 Peter 1:3). But this postponement of the full attainment, through developing faith, gives stedfastness (Romans 8:25; compare 1 Thessalonians 1:3; 1 Thessalonians 5:8 Hebrews 3:6; Hebrews 6:11), which could be gained in no other way. On the other hand this stedfastness, produced by hope, reacts again on hope and increases it (Romans 5:4; Romans 15:4). and so on. But no attempt is made in the New Testament to give a catalogue of the "fruits of hope," and, indeed, such lists are inevitably artificial.

(4) One passage that deserves special attention is 1 Corinthians 13:13, "Now abideth faith, hope, love, these three." "Abideth" is in contrast to "shall be done away" in 13:8, 9, and the time of the abiding is consequently after the Parousia; i.e. while many gifts are for the present world only, faith, hope and love are eternal and endure in the next world. 1 Corinthians 13 is evidently a very carefully written section, and the permanence of faith and hope cannot be set down to any mere carelessness on Paul's part, but the meaning is not very clear. Probably he felt that the triad of virtues was so essentially a part of the Christian's character that the existence of the individual without them was unthinkable, without trying to define what the object of faith and hope would be in the glorified state. If any answer is to be given, it must be found in the doctrine that even in heaven life will not be static but will have opportunities of unlimited growth. Never will the finite soul be able to dispense entirely with faith, while at each stage the growth into the next can be anticipated through hope.

3. Practical:

Only adventist bodies can use all the New Testament promises literally, and the translation of the eschatological language into modern practical terms is not always easy. The simplest method is that already well developed in the Fourth Gospel, where the phrase "kingdom of God" is usually replaced by the words "eternal life," i.e. for a temporal relation between this world and the next is substituted a local, so that the accent is laid on the hope that awaits the individual beyond the grave. On the other hand, the cataclysmic imagery of the New Testament may be interpreted in evolutionary form. God, by sending into the world the supernatural power seen in the Christian church, is working for the race as well as for the individual, and has for His whole creation, as well as for individual souls, a goal in store. The individual has for his support the motives of the early church and, in particular, learns through the cross that even his own sins shall not disappoint him of his hope. But both of the above interpretations are needed if religion is fairly to represent the spirit of the New Testament. A pure individualism that looks only beyond the grave for its hope empties the phrase "kingdom of God" of its meaning and tends inevitably to asceticism. And, in contrast, the religion of Jesus cannot be reduced to a mere hope of ethical advance for the present world. A Christianity that loses a transcendent, eschatological hope ceases to be Christianity.

Burton Scott Easton

1679. elpizo -- to expect, to hope (for)
... to expect, to hope (for). Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: elpizo Phonetic
Spelling: (el-pid'-zo) Short Definition: I hope, hope for, expect Definition: I ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1679.htm - 8k

1680. elpis -- expectation, hope
... expectation, hope. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: elpis Phonetic
Spelling: (el-pece') Short Definition: hope, expectation Definition: hope ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1680.htm - 6k

4276. proelpizo -- to hope before
... to hope before. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: proelpizo Phonetic Spelling:
(pro-el-pid'-zo) Short Definition: I hope before Definition: I hope before ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4276.htm - 6k

2070. esmen -- are, be, have our being, have hope.
... 2069, 2070. esmen. 2071 . are, be, have our being, have hope. ... Word Origin first
pers. pl. pres. ind. of eimi, qv. are, be, have our being, have hope. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2070.htm - 6k

560. apelpizo -- to despair of
... Verb Transliteration: apelpizo Phonetic Spelling: (ap-el-pid'-zo) Short Definition:
I despair Definition: I give up in despair, despair of; I hope to receive ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/560.htm - 6k

3996. pentheo -- to mourn, lament
... feel guilt. 3996 -- properly, grieve over a ; (figuratively) to grieve
over a personal hope (relationship) that , ie (""). 3996 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3996.htm - 7k

4328. prosdokao -- to await, expect
... From pros and dokeuo (to watch); to anticipate (in thought, hope or fear); by
implication, to await -- (be in) expect(-ation), look (for), when looked, tarry ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4328.htm - 7k

5049. teleios -- completely
... completely. Adverb from teleios; completely, ie (of hope) without wavering -- to
the end. see GREEK teleios. (teleios) -- 1 Occurrence. 5048, 5049. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5049.htm - 6k

4102. pistis -- faith, faithfulness
... "Faith always has the element of assurance, certainty and confidence . . . and
evidential value substantiating the thing we hope for . . . ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4102.htm - 18k

7664. seber -- a hope
... a hope. Transliteration: seber Phonetic Spelling: (say'-ber) Short Definition: hope.
Word Origin from sabar Definition a hope NASB Word Usage hope (2). hope. ...
/hebrew/7664.htm - 6k

8431. tocheleth -- a hope
... 8430, 8431. tocheleth. 8432 . a hope. Transliteration: tocheleth Phonetic
Spelling: (to-kheh'-leth) Short Definition: hope. Word ...
/hebrew/8431.htm - 6k

4723a. miqveh -- a hope
... a hope. Transliteration: miqveh or miqveh or miqve Short Definition: hope. Word
Origin from qavah Definition a hope NASB Word Usage Hope (1), hope (4). ...
/hebrew/4723a.htm - 5k

8615b. tiqvah -- a hope
... a hope. Transliteration: tiqvah Short Definition: hope. Word Origin from qavah
Definition a hope NASB Word Usage expectation (3), hope (28), longing (1). ...
/hebrew/8615b.htm - 5k

7663b. sabar -- to wait, hope
... 7663a, 7663b. sabar. 7664 . to wait, hope. Transliteration: sabar Short
Definition: hope. Word Origin denominative verb from seber ...
/hebrew/7663b.htm - 5k

4723. miqveh -- a hope
... a hope. Transliteration: miqveh Phonetic Spelling: (mik-veh') Short Definition:
abiding. abiding, gathering together, hope, linen yarn, plenty of water, pool ...
/hebrew/4723.htm - 5k

8616. Tiqvah -- "hope," two Israelites
... "hope," two Israelites. Transliteration: Tiqvah Phonetic Spelling: (tik-vaw') Short
Definition: Tikvah. Word Origin from qavah Definition "hope," two Isr. ...
/hebrew/8616.htm - 6k

3176. yachal -- to wait, await
... to wait, await. Transliteration: yachal Phonetic Spelling: (yaw-chal') Short Definition:
hope. ... cause to, have, make to hope, be pained, stay, tarry, trust, wait. ...
/hebrew/3176.htm - 6k

7663. sabar -- to inspect, examine
... 7662, 7663. sabar. 7663a . to inspect, examine. Transliteration: sabar Phonetic
Spelling: (saw-bar') Short Definition: hope. hope, tarry, view, wait ...
/hebrew/7663.htm - 5k

986. bittachon -- trust
... Word Origin from batach Definition trust NASB Word Usage confidence (2), hope (1).
confidence, hope. From batach; trust -- confidence, hope. see HEBREW batach. ...
/hebrew/986.htm - 6k

Handbook on Faith, Hope, and Love
Handbook on Faith, Hope, and Love. <. Handbook on Faith, Hope,
and Love Saint Augustine. Table of Contents. Title Page. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/handbook on faith hope and love/

Hope of the Gospel
Hope of the Gospel. <. Hope of the Gospel George MacDonald. Produced
by Jonathan Ingram, Charles Aldarondo and the PG ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macdonald/hope of the gospel/

A Hope
... A HOPE. Twin stars, aloft in ether clear, Around each other roll alway, Within
one common atmosphere Of their own mutual light and day. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/andromeda and other poems/a hope.htm

Whether Hope is a virtue?
... OF HOPE, CONSIDERED IN ITSELF (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether hope is a virtue?
Objection 1: It would seem that hope is not a virtue. For ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether hope is a virtue.htm

Two Kinds of Hope
... THE BOOK OF JOB TWO KINDS OF HOPE. 'Whose hope shall be cut off, and whose
trust shall be a spider's web.'"Job 8:14. 'And hope ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/two kinds of hope.htm

Whether Hope is in the Damned?
... OF THE SUBJECT OF HOPE (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether hope is in the damned? Objection
1: It would seem that there is hope in the damned. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether hope is in the 3.htm

The Hope of the Calling
... EPHESIANS THE HOPE OF THE CALLING. 'That ye may know what is the hope of
His calling.'"Ephesians 1:18. A man's prayers for others ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/the hope of the calling.htm

The Sources of Hope
... ROMANS THE SOURCES OF HOPE. 'We rejoice in hope of the glory of God.3. And
not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/the sources of hope.htm

Hope Perfectly
... THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PETER HOPE PERFECTLY. 'Wherefore, gird up the loins
of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end, for the grace ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/hope perfectly.htm

Whether Hope is in the Apprehensive or in the Appetitive Power?
... OF THE IRASCIBLE PASSIONS, AND FIRST, OF HOPE AND DESPAIR (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether
hope is in the apprehensive or in the appetitive power? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether hope is in the.htm

Hope's (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Hope's (1 Occurrence). Acts 26:7 Unto which promise our
twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. ...
/h/hope's.htm - 6k

Hope (291 Occurrences)
... It is joined to faith and love, and is opposed to seeing or possessing (Romans
8:24; 1 John 3:2). "Hope is an essential and fundamental element of Christian ...
/h/hope.htm - 52k

Expectation (25 Occurrences)
... three Greek words, translated in the New Testament by "expect," prosdokao, meaning
to look forward toward what will probably occur, whether in hope or dread ...
/e/expectation.htm - 15k

Despair (23 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To give up as beyond hope or expectation; to despair of. 3. (vt) To cause
to despair. 4. (n.) Loss of hope; utter hopelessness; complete despondency. ...
/d/despair.htm - 14k

Expect (20 Occurrences)
... three Greek words, translated in the New Testament by "expect," prosdokao, meaning
to look forward toward what will probably occur, whether in hope or dread ...
/e/expect.htm - 13k

Endurance (31 Occurrences)
... Romans 5:4 and endurance, experience; and experience, hope; (DBY YLT RSV). ... She is
full of trust, full of hope, full of patient endurance. (WEY). ...
/e/endurance.htm - 15k

Anchor (4 Occurrences)
... It is an emblem of hope. "If you fear, Put all your trust in God: that anchor
holds.". Noah Webster's Dictionary. ... 4. (n.) An emblem of hope. ...
/a/anchor.htm - 9k

Achor (5 Occurrences)
... Hosea also (Hosea 2:15) uses the expression in the same sense: "The valley of Achor
for a door of hope;" ie, trouble would be turned into joy, despair into hope...
/a/achor.htm - 11k

Encouragement (25 Occurrences)
... 15:4 For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that
through patience and through encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope...
/e/encouragement.htm - 14k

Evil-doer (88 Occurrences)
... to his wickedness. (ASV BBE). Job 5:16 So the poor man has hope, and the
mouth of the evil-doer is stopped. (BBE). Job 8:13 So is ...
/e/evil-doer.htm - 30k

What is the living hope in 1 Peter 1:3? | GotQuestions.org

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Hope: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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