A Biblical Look at "Hope" part 3

A biblical occurrence of "hope" as "an expectation of good" can be found in Acts 27:20. Paul was on a ship bound for Rome. A storm came up and raged for many days, such that "we gave up all hope of being saved." Another example is in 3 John 14 where the Apostle John wrote to his friend Gaius, and said, "I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face." These are examples of the Bible using the word "hope" in the way it is used in everyday language, such as when someone says, "I hope it rains this week," or "I hope you feel better." There are also many biblical examples of the word "hope" referring to everlasting life and the blessings associated with it. Colossians 1:23 mentions "the hope held out in the gospel," i.e., "the expectation of future good presented in the gospel."

It is unfortunate that the word "hope" has come to be used in common English as a synonym for "wish." In the sentence, "I hope it will rain this week," the word "hope," if properly used, implies a certainty or confidence that it will, in fact, rain. If there is no such confidence, then it would be more proper to say, "I wish it would rain this week.

As noted above, when the Bible uses the word "hope" in reference to events in the future, there is no doubt at all that the events will occur. The book of Titus contains a usage of "hope" referring to the believer’s expectation of eternal life:

Titus 1:1-2

(1) Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness; 

(2) In hope of eternal life, which God, [who] cannot lie, promised before the world began;

This is a good example of the word "hope" referring to our expectation of everlasting life. In this case, it implies more than just a desire or a wish. It is an expectation of the future that will absolutely come to pass. God, who does not lie, made many promises about the future everlasting life of the believer. Although we may not know when He will fulfill those promises, we can be absolutely certain that He will fulfill them. 

continued...