Definition and Nature of Hope:
Hope, in the biblical context, is a confident expectation and desire for something good in the future. It is not merely wishful thinking but is grounded in faith and the promises of God. Hope is a fundamental aspect of the Christian life, intertwined with faith and love, as seen in 1 Corinthians 13:13: "And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love; but the greatest of these is love."

Old Testament Understanding:
In the Old Testament, hope is often associated with waiting and trust in God. The Hebrew word "tikvah" conveys a sense of expectation and longing. For instance, in Jeremiah 29:11, God assures His people, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Here, hope is linked to God's faithfulness and His plans for His people.

The Psalms frequently express hope in God as a source of strength and deliverance. Psalm 42:11 states, "Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why the unease within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God." This verse illustrates the psalmist's reliance on God amidst despair.

New Testament Perspective:
In the New Testament, hope takes on a more defined shape with the coming of Jesus Christ. It is closely tied to the resurrection and the promise of eternal life. Romans 5:5 declares, "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." This hope is assured by the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit.

The Apostle Paul frequently speaks of hope in his epistles. In Romans 8:24-25, he writes, "For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he can already see? But if we hope for what we do not yet see, we wait for it patiently." Here, hope is portrayed as an essential component of salvation, characterized by patience and perseverance.

Hope in Christ:
Christian hope is ultimately centered on Jesus Christ and His redemptive work. Colossians 1:27 speaks of "Christ in you, the hope of glory." This hope is not only for the present life but extends into eternity, promising believers a future with God.

1 Peter 1:3-4 emphasizes the living hope through the resurrection of Jesus: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By His great mercy, He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, reserved in heaven for you."

Practical Implications:
Hope influences the believer's conduct and outlook on life. It provides strength in trials, as seen in Romans 12:12: "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, persistent in prayer." Hope encourages perseverance and steadfastness, motivating believers to live in a manner worthy of their calling.

Furthermore, hope is a source of encouragement and comfort. In 1 Thessalonians 4:13, Paul writes to the Thessalonians about the hope of the resurrection, urging them not to grieve like those without hope.

Conclusion:
While hope is a present reality for believers, it also points to the future fulfillment of God's promises. It is a vital aspect of the Christian faith, sustaining believers through life's challenges and anchoring them in the assurance of God's eternal plan.1680. elpis -- expectation, hope
... certain); . Word Origin from the same as elpizo Definition expectation,
hope NASB Word Usage hope (53), hopes (1). faith, hope. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1680.htm - 6k

1679. elpizo -- to expect, to hope (for)
... expect) Definition to expect, to hope (for) NASB Word Usage expect (1), expected
(1), fix...hope (2), fixed...hope (2), hope (13), hoped (3), hopes (1), hoping ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1679.htm - 8k

Vain Hopes.
... V. VAIN HOPES. "And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto
them from the dead, they will repent. But he said, If they ...
//christianbookshelf.org/percival/sermons at rugby/v vain hopes.htm

Early Hopes.
... THE SOUL. XXVII. EARLY HOPES. Mi feddyliais yn y boreu 8,7,8,7,4,7. In the
morning I expected,. That I should long, long ere now,. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/morris/favourite welsh hymns/xxvii early hopes.htm

Vanished Hopes
... Chapter XXII VANISHED HOPES. The tremulous old man, weakened from his long
and superhuman struggle to enter the doomed city, held ...
/.../miller/the city of delight/chapter xxii vanished hopes.htm

Although the Soul Hopes for Blessedness, yet it Does not Remember ...
... Book XIV. Chapter 15."Although the Soul Hopes for Blessedness, Yet It Does Not Remember
Lost Blessedness, But Remembers God and the Rules of Righteousness. ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 15 although the soul hopes.htm

The Hopes of Old Age. March 17.
... The Hopes of Old Age. March 17. Christianity alone deprives old age of
its bitterness, making it the gate of heaven. Our bodies ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/daily thoughts /the hopes of old age.htm

Seeing, However, that Celsus Alleges that "Christians are Won Over ...
... Chapter LXXX. Seeing, however, that Celsus alleges that "Christians are
won over by us through vain hopes? Seeing, however, that ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter lxxx seeing however that.htm

His Religious Experience. Tries to be a Methodist. Hopes to Become ...
... Tries to be a Methodist. Hopes to become a Preacher. Boy Preaching. ... Tries to
be a Methodist. Hopes to become a Preacher. Boy Preaching. ...
/.../chapter iii his religious experience.htm

And be not Deceived or Deluded with Vain Hopes by that which is ...
... Book II. 62 And be not deceived or deluded with vain hopes by that which
is said by? And be not deceived or deluded with vain ...
/.../the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/62 and be not deceived.htm

Christ, of all My Hopes the Ground
... II. THE CHRISTIAN YEAR Sundays After Trinity: Faith 219. Christ, of all my hopes
the ground. Four 7's ... Ralph Wardlaw, 1817. Christ, of all my hopes the ground,. ...
/.../sundays after trinity faith 219.htm

Of the Nature of Regeneration, with Respect to the Change it ...
... DISCOURSE III. OF THE NATURE OF REGENERATION, WITH RESPECT TO THE CHANGE IT PRODUCES
IN MEN'S AFFECTIONS, RESOLUTIONS, LABORS, ENJOYMENTS AND HOPES. ...
/.../doddridge/practical discourses on regeneration/discourse iii of the nature.htm

Hopes (24 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Hopes (24 Occurrences). Matthew 12:21 And on His
name shall the nations rest their hopes." (WEY). John 5 ...
/h/hopes.htm - 12k

Fix (36 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Ephesians 1:12 so that we should be devoted to the extolling of His glorious
attributes--we who were the first to fix our hopes on Christ. (WEY). ...
/f/fix.htm - 18k

Disappoint (2 Occurrences)
... or hope; to hinder from the attainment of that which was expected, hoped, or desired;
to balk; as, a man is disappointed of his hopes or expectations, or his ...
/d/disappoint.htm - 8k

Promise (112 Occurrences)
... 9. (vi) To afford hopes or expectation; to give ground to expect good; rarely, to
give reason to expect evil. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. PROMISE. ...
/p/promise.htm - 42k

Fixed (284 Occurrences)
... 1 Timothy 4:10 and here is the motive of our toiling and wrestling, because we have
our hopes fixed on the ever-living God, who is the Saviour of all mankind ...
/f/fixed.htm - 35k

Pharisees (86 Occurrences)
... to the Law 5. Traditional Interpretations of the Law by Pharisees (Sabbath, etc.)
6. Close Students of the Text of Scripture (1) Messianic Hopes (2) Almsgiving ...
/p/pharisees.htm - 66k

Build (242 Occurrences)
... 5. (vi) To rest or depend, as on a foundation; to ground one's self or one's hopes
or opinions upon something deemed reliable; to rely; as, to build on the ...
/b/build.htm - 45k

Prophets (270 Occurrences)
... have not originated in their own reflection or calculation; and just as little is
this prophecy the product of their own feelings, fears or hopes, but, as ...
/p/prophets.htm - 69k

Prophecy (37 Occurrences)
... have not originated in their own reflection or calculation; and just as little is
this prophecy the product of their own feelings, fears or hopes, but, as ...
/p/prophecy.htm - 55k

Ziba (13 Occurrences)
... When asked where Mephibosheth is, he accuses his master of remaining behind purposely
in hopes that his father's kingdom would be restored to him. ...
/z/ziba.htm - 14k

What does it mean that love always hopes (1 Corinthians 13:7)? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean that love always protects (1 Corinthians 13:7)? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean that hope deferred makes the heart sick (Proverbs 13:12)? | GotQuestions.org

Hopes: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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