SPECIAL TOPIC: HOPE

SPECIAL TOPIC: HOPE (elpis, in Paul)

Paul used this term often in several different but related senses. Often it was associated with the consummation of the believer's faith (e.g., 1 Tim. 1:1). This can be expressed as glory, eternal life, ultimate salvation, Second Coming, etc. The consummation is certain, but the time element is future and unknown. Hope was often associated with "faith" and "love" (cf. 1 Cor. 13:13; 1 Thess. 1:3; 2 Thess. 2:16). A partial list of some of Paul's uses are:

The Second Coming, Gal. 5:5; Eph. 1:18; 4:4; Titus 2:13
Jesus is our hope, 1 Tim. 1:1 (God is our hope, 1 Tim. 5:5; 1 Pet. 3:5)
The believer to be presented to God, Col. 1:22-23; 1 Thess. 2:19
Hope is laid up in heaven, Col. 1:5
Trust in the gospel, Col. 1:23; 1 Thess. 2:19
Ultimate salvation, Col. 1:5; 1 Thess. 4:13; 5:8
The glory of God, Rom. 5:2, 2 Cor. 3:12; Col. 1:27
The salvation of the Gentiles by Christ, Col. 1:27
Assurance of salvation, 1 Thess. 5:8
Eternal life, Titus 1:2; 3:7
Results of Christian maturity, Rom. 5:2-5
Redemption of all creation, Rom. 8:20-22
Adoption's consummation, Rom. 8:23-25
Title for God, Rom. 15:13
Paul's desire for believers, 2 Cor. 1:7
OT as a guide to NT believers, Rom. 15:4