"pr. expectation; hope, Acts 24:15; Rom. 5:4; meton. the object of hope, thing hoped for, Rom. 8:24; Gal. 5:5; the author or source of hope, Col. 1:27; 1 Tim. 1:1; trust, confidence, 1 Pet. 1:21; ἐπ’ ἐλπίδι, in security, with a guarantee, Acts 2:26; Rom. 8:20"
Definition and meaning
pr. expectation; hope, Acts 24:15; Rom. 5:4; meton. the object of hope, thing hoped for, Rom. 8:24; Gal. 5:5; the author or source of hope, Col. 1:27; 1 Tim. 1:1; trust, confidence, 1 Pet. 1:21; ἐπ’ ἐλπίδι, in security, with a guarantee, Acts 2:26; Rom. 8:20
In the original Greek the word is written: ἐλπίς
Historical context
The Roman Empire provided infrastructure no previous civilization had built — roads, sea routes, a common language in Greek, and relative peace across the Mediterranean. Jewish synagogues existed in every major city, giving Paul a starting point everywhere he traveled. The early church had no buildings, no political power, no social standing — and spread faster than any movement in ancient history.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of elpis (G1680) across the King James Bible.
Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope:
And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers,
But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.
And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.
And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers:
Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope's sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews.
And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.
For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see you, and to speak with you: because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.
Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.
By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
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Common questions
Strong's G1680 (elpis) is a Greek word that means: pr. expectation; hope, Acts 24:15; Rom. 5:4; meton. the object of hope, thing hoped for, Rom. 8:24; Gal. 5:5; the author or source of hope, Col. 1:27; 1 Tim. 1:1; trust, confidence, 1 Pet. 1:21; ἐπ’ ἐ... It appears 48 times in the King James Bible.
The word elpis (G1680) appears 48 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G1680 is elpis, a Greek word defined as: pr. expectation; hope, Acts 24:15; Rom. 5:4; meton. the object of hope, thing hoped for, Rom. 8:24; Gal. 5:5; the author or source of hope, Col. 1:27;. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
elpis is a Greek word found in the New Testament.