I am sure most people are familiar with Paul’s trio of spiritual gifts at the end of 1 Corinthians 13:13 (NLT) — “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” I can recall many teachings on faith and love, but the middle of the “sandwich” — hope — is rarely spoken about. But hope is a central theme woven throughout scripture. Our everyday usage of the word usually implies optimism or wishful thinking; but as understood in the Bible, hope is a confident expectation rooted in the faithfulness and promises of God.
In the Old Testament, hope often takes the form of trusting in God’s covenant and deliverance. For example,the psalmist writes, “Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him” (Psalm 62:5, NLT). Here, hope is not passive but active—a quiet trust, a spiritual stillness that recognizes God’s sovereignty. The context of the psalm suggests turmoil and adversity, yet the writer chooses to rest in God’s faithfulness. So hope, in this Biblical sense, is not dependent on present circumstances but is sustained by a deep relationship with the living God.
The prophet Jeremiah, writing in the midst of national devastation and exile, affirms this enduring hope: “Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease” (Lamentations 3:21–22, NLT). These words were written during one of the darkest periods in Israel’s history, and yet Jeremiah dares to hope—not because of what he sees, but because of who God is. Hope, in this sense, becomes a courageous act of faith, declaring God’s mercy even amid suffering.
In the New Testament, hope becomes even more central to the life of the believer, particularly through the person and work of Jesus Christ. Paul writes to the Roman Church, “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation” (Romans 5:3–4, NLT). These words connect hope to the process of spiritual growth. It is not a fleeting feeling but a resilient attribute cultivated through perseverance. The trials themselves become instruments in the hands of God to shape a hope that does not disappoint.
The ultimate object of Christian hope of course is the redemption found in Jesus Christ. Paul continues in Romans, “And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love” (Romans 5:5, NLT). So hope is sustained, not just by the promise of future glory, but by the present experience of God’s love through the Holy Spirit. The indwelling presence of the Spirit becomes a down payment, a guarantee that what God has promised will surely come to pass.
Furthermore, Christian hope extends beyond this life. Peter exhorts believers with these words: “All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation” (1 Peter 1:3, NLT). The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the foundation of our hope. Because He lives, we can live with confidence and anticipation. The “great expectation” refers not only to eternal life but to the transformation and renewal that begins even now.
This eschatological [just throwing in a big word for my readers who enjoy googling them] hope is further described in the book of Revelation: “He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever” (Revelation 21:4, NLT). This vision of the new heavens and new earth fills believers with enduring hope that transcends temporary suffering. It is a promise that pain and injustice do not have the final word. God’s ultimate redemption will restore all things.
Hope as used in scripture is thus both present and future, internal and cosmic. It empowers believers to live faithfully in the present while looking forward with assurance to the fulfillment of God’s promises. It is not based on human effort or worldly guarantees but is grounded in the character of God Himself.
In a world marked by uncertainty and despair, the biblical message of hope stands as a light in the darkness. As Paul declares, “I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13, NLT).
Here we have the essence of Christian hope—a life overflowing with peace and trust, rooted in the faithful and loving nature of God. 1 Corinthians 13:13 reminds us that it is one of the gifts of the Spirit. Enjoy your free gift!
Blessings on you and yours, Jim Black
P.S. if you’d like to read previous ruminations of mine they can be found at https://www.salvationarmyconcordca.org/chronicle/?category=Bible%20Study