Exegetical Meaning

persuasion, i.e. credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; abstractly, constancy in such profession; by extension, the system of religious (Gospel) truth itself | Etymology: from G3982 (πείθω); | KJV: assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity

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Exegetical Meaning

The Greek word *elpis* (hope) describes a confident expectation or anticipation of something good in the future. Unlike our modern word "hope," which sometimes means wishful thinking with little substance, *elpis* in Scripture carries the weight of genuine trust and assurance. When the Bible speaks of hope, it's not a vague "maybe things will work out"—it's a solid confidence rooted in God's character and promises. The word captures both the abstract sense of hopeful longing and the concrete, lived experience of trusting God despite present circumstances. In the New Testament, *elpis* appears most powerfully in passages about Christian confidence in God's promises. Paul frequently uses it when discussing salvation, resurrection, and God's faithfulness: "hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts" (Romans 5:5). The word encompasses not just mental assent to a promise, but the deep, stabilizing peace that comes from knowing God will keep His word. When Paul tells Timothy about "faith and love" and grounds them in "the hope laid up for you in heaven" (Colossians 1:5), *elpis* represents the forward-looking certainty that anchors a believer's entire spiritual life. This hope isn't fragile or dependent on changing circumstances—it's the bedrock of Christian perseverance and joy.

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• Hope as Living Anchor
• Resurrection Hope