Hope
Theological Definition
Biblical hope is confident expectation grounded in God’s promise and faithfulness, not mere optimism. Romans links hope to God’s love, to endurance amid suffering, and to the future completion of what God has begun. Hope is portrayed as forward-looking, sustaining, and anchored in God’s power rather than circumstances.
Key Occurrences in Romans
12rejoicing in hope; enduring in oppression; continuing steadfastly in prayer;
13Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope, in the power of the Holy Spirit.
4For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that through patience and through comfort of the scriptures we might have hope.
2through whom we also have our access by faith into this grace in which we stand. We rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
3Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering works perseverance;
4and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope:
5and hope doesn`t disappoint us, because God`s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which was given to us.
18For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which will be revealed toward us.
19For the creation waits with eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed.
20For the creation was subjected to vanity, not of its own will, but by reason of him who subjected it, in hope
21that the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of decay into the liberty of the glory of the children of God.
22For we know that the whole creation groans and travails in pain together until now.
23Not only so, but ourselves also, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for adoption, the redemption of our body.
24For we were saved in hope, but hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for that which he sees?
25But if we hope for that which we don`t see, we wait for it with patience.
28We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose.
29For whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
30Whom he foreordained, them he also called. Whom he called, them he also justified. Whom he justified, them he also glorified.