ἐλπίς (elpis)
elpis
hope
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 47 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun elpis denotes a confident expectation of good, serving as the New Testament’s primary word for hope. Unlike casual wishful thinking, it carries the weight of certainty rooted in God’s character. In secular Greek, it could occasionally mean fear or anxiety about the future, but biblical usage consistently points toward joyful anticipation. This shift is evident when Paul describes believers being saved “by hope” (Romans 8:24), implying a trust so strong that the future reality is already shaping present life.
Its theological depth emerges in how it connects past promises to future fulfillment. The sources highlight its use in Acts, where Paul stands trial for “the hope of the resurrection of the dead” (Acts 23:6), linking Christian expectation directly to Jewish Messianic tradition. Similarly, Hebrews calls it an anchor for the soul (Hebrews 6:19), suggesting stability rather than fleeting emotion. Translators sometimes render it as faith or confidence, reflecting its active nature as a force that sustains believers through suffering.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word elpis carries a weight far heavier than casual wishful thinking. In the New Testament, it describes a confident expectation rooted in who God is and what He has promised. This is not a fragile hope that fades when circumstances turn dark. Instead, it is a steady trust that shapes how we live today, even when the future remains unseen.
Paul often connects this hope to the resurrection and the glory of God. When he writes that believers are saved by hope, he means our present lives are guided by a reality that is certain to arrive. This kind of hope anchors the soul during storms, offering stability rather than fleeting emotion. It invites us to look forward with joy, knowing that God’s character guarantees His promises.
For your daily walk, this word offers a gentle invitation to rest in God’s faithfulness. You do not need to force certainty through your own efforts. Instead, you can allow the hope of the resurrection to comfort your heart and guide your steps. This trust brings peace that does not depend on visible outcomes but on the One who holds all things together.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 47 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- hope35×
- [the] hope5×
- hope;3×
- of [our] hope2×
- hope.2×
- hope,2×
- a hope2×
- of hope1×
- in hope1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐλπίδα16×
- ἐλπίδος12×
- ἐλπίδι10×
- ἐλπὶς7×
- ἑλπίδι1×
- ἐλπίς·1×
- ἐλπίς,1×
- ἐλπίδος·1×
- ἐλπίδος,1×
- ἐλπίδι.1×
- ἐλπίδα·1×
- ἐλπίδα.1×
Key Verses
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Romans 5:5
and hope doesn’t disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
This verse clarifies that biblical hope does not lead to shame or disappointment because it is sustained by God’s love poured into the heart.
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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?
Here the word defines the nature of Christian salvation as something anticipated in the future, proving that true hope exists only when the object is not yet seen.
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Acts 23:6
But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Men and brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. Concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead I am being judged!”
Paul links this term directly to the resurrection of the dead, showing it was central to Jewish Messianic expectation and early Christian identity.
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Romans 15:13
Now 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.
This prayer highlights that hope is a gift filled by the Holy Spirit, resulting in joy and peace for those who believe.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does elpis mean in the New Testament?
How is this different from wishful thinking?
Why does Romans 8:24 say we are saved by hope?
Every Occurrence (47 verses across 15 books)
Acts 8 verses
Therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced. Moreover my flesh also will dwell in hope,
Acts 16:19But when her masters saw that the hope of their gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the…
Acts 23:6But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Men and…
Acts 24:15having hope toward God, which these also themselves look for, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of…
Acts 26:6Now I stand here to be judged for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers,
Acts 26:7which our twelve tribes, earnestly serving night and day, hope to attain. Concerning this hope I am accused by the…
Acts 27:20When neither sun nor stars shone on us for many days, and no small storm pressed on us, all hope that we would be saved…
Acts 28:20For this cause therefore I asked to see you and to speak with you. For because of the hope of Israel I am bound with…