Greek word · Strong's G1680

ἐλπίς

elpís · noun · “hope”

In a sentence

Elpis is biblical hope — not wishful thinking but confident expectation, anchored in God’s faithfulness and the resurrection of Jesus.

In everyday English “hope” often means uncertainty (“I hope it doesn’t rain”). The New Testament’s elpis is the opposite: a sure and steadfast expectation, “an anchor for the soul” (Hebrews 6:19), grounded not in optimism but in the trustworthiness of God.

Christian hope has a concrete basis — the risen Christ — and a concrete object — the promised future of resurrection and renewed creation. That is why Paul can speak of rejoicing in hope even in suffering: it does not “put us to shame,” because it rests on God’s proven love.

Strong's reference

Definition: expectation (abstractly or concretely) or confidence

KJV usage: faith, hope

Reference gloss from Strong's Concordance (1890, public domain).

Key verses BSB · Public Domain (CC0)

Romans 15:13 “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Hebrews 6:19 “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,” Romans 5:8 “But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Original BibleDawn word study. Original-language data and the public-domain Strong's (1890) gloss are referenced; see sources.