ἐλπίζω (elpizō)
elpizō
to hope/expect
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 31 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb elpizō means to look forward to something with confident expectation. In the New Testament, it describes a hopeful trust that is grounded in reality rather than wishful thinking. This sense of secure anticipation appears when Paul writes about hoping in God (1 Timothy 4:10) or when he expresses his confidence that he will visit the Philippians soon (Philippians 2:19).
Its usage often involves a specific object or action, such as hoping for salvation or expecting to meet someone. The sources highlight its appearance in Romans 8:24-25, where hope is linked to what is not yet seen, and in Hebrews 11:1, where it defines the substance of things hoped for. This connects the word to a steadfast waiting that shapes how believers live in the present.
Etymologically, elpizō derives from elpis, meaning hope or expectation. The lexical data shows it was used in everyday Greek for personal plans, but Scripture elevates it to describe trust in God’s promises. Translators typically render it as "hope" or "trust," capturing a forward-looking confidence that remains firm despite current circumstances.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When we use the word elpizō, we are talking about a confident expectation that rests on reality, not just wishful thinking. It is the steady trust that God’s promises will come to pass, even when the outcome is not yet visible. This kind of hope shapes how we live today, giving us patience and peace while we wait for what God has promised.
In Romans 8, Paul reminds us that true hope looks forward to what we cannot see yet. It is not passive dreaming but active waiting with trust. Whether we are hoping in God’s salvation or expecting His provision, this word calls us to anchor our lives in His character. That anchor holds firm through every season.
This confident expectation invites us to look beyond our current circumstances. We can rest in the knowledge that the One who promised is faithful. Our hope is not in uncertain riches or human plans, but in the living God who saves and sustains us. That trust brings a deep and lasting peace to the heart.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 31 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- I hope10×
- will hope.2×
- we have hope2×
- hoping2×
- you expect1×
- were hoping1×
- we hope for,1×
- we had hoped,1×
- to have hope1×
- they hope1×
- she has hope1×
- of [things] hoped for1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐλπίζω9×
- ἠλπίκαμεν2×
- ἐλπίζων2×
- ἐλπιοῦσιν.¶2×
- ἤλπικεν1×
- ἤλπιζέν1×
- ἠλπίσαμεν,1×
- ἠλπίκατε.1×
- ἠλπίζομεν1×
- ἠλπικότες1×
- ἠλπικέναι1×
- Ἐλπίζω1×
Key Verses
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Romans 8:24
For we were saved in hope, but hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for that which he sees?
Paul defines Christian hope as trust in what is unseen, distinguishing it from mere visual certainty.
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I Timothy 5:5
Now she who is a widow indeed and desolate, has her hope set on God and continues in petitions and prayers night and day.
This verse shows a widow’s hope set specifically on God, expressed through constant prayer rather than self-reliance.
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Romans 15:12
Again, Isaiah says, “There will be the root of Jesse, he who arises to rule over the Gentiles; in him the Gentiles will hope.”
Paul quotes Isaiah to show that Gentiles place their confident expectation in the rising root of Jesse.
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Luke 24:21
But we were hoping that it was he who would redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened.
The disciples’ hope had been focused on political redemption for Israel, showing how human expectations can miss God’s plan.