The meaning of “ἐλπίς”
Understanding elpís reveals the original theological depth often simplified in translation.
faith, hope. - expectation (abstractly or concretely) or confidence
ἐλπίς
faith, hope. - expectation (abstractly or concretely) or confidence
Occurrences in the Bible
| Reference | Text | |
|---|---|---|
| Acts 26:6 | “And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers:” Word: ἐλπίς (elpís) | |
| 2 Corinthians 3:12 | “Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech:” Word: ἐλπίς (elpís) | |
| Philippians 1:20 | “According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.” Word: ἐλπίς (elpís) | |
| 2 Thessalonians 2:16 | “Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,” Word: ἐλπίς (elpís) | |
| Hebrews 6:18 | “That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:” Word: ἐλπίς (elpís) |
Usage Statistics
Theological Word Study: Hope
Old Testament Usage
Meaning: Hope, expectation
The Hebrew tikvah (תִּקְוָה) means hope or expectation—confident trust in God's promises. 'Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God' (Psalm 146:5).
New Testament Usage
Meaning: Hope, expectation
The Greek elpis (ἐλπίς) denotes hope—confident expectation of good. This hope is 'an anchor of the soul' (Hebrews 6:19), grounded in Christ's resurrection and the believer's future inheritance (1 Peter 1:3-4).