30 verses · KJV · every verse read aloud

Bible Verses About Hope

What does the Bible say about hope?

In the Bible, hope is not wishful thinking. It is a sure expectation resting on God's promises. Romans 15:13 calls Him "the God of hope," 1 Peter 1:3 says the resurrection of Jesus gives us "a lively hope," and Hebrews 6:19 calls hope an anchor of the soul, sure and steadfast, even in hard times.

The best-known Bible verses about hope
Bible verses about hope in hard times
A living hope in Jesus

The best-known Bible verses about hope

The verses most readers look for first.

6 verses

Romans 15:13

KJV

King James Version

Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

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.

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Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Romans 15:13

How the early church read itRead differently

How it is used today: Prayed as a blessing that God gives joy, peace and overflowing hope to those who simply trust Him, by the power of the Spirit.

First spoken: Paul closes his teaching on Jews and Gentiles living in unity with a prayer that the Roman believers, Jew and Gentile, would be filled with hope and joy together.

The early Christians: Chrysostom says the joy and hope come from the Holy Spirit, but not from the Spirit alone: we must do our part by believing, and if we have no good works the Spirit leaves.

“But it is not simply from the Spirit, but on the condition that we also do our part.” John Chrysostom, Homilies on Romans

“As also, on the other hand, if we have no works, the Spirit flies away.” John Chrysostom, Homilies on Romans

The difference: Today the verse is often heard as joy and peace given freely to anyone who trusts. Chrysostom taught that the Spirit's gifts are real but are kept by our own effort and good works, and are lost if we stop.

Jeremiah 29:11

KJV

King James Version

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope.

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Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Jeremiah 29:11

How the early church read itNo early comment

How it is used today: Used as a personal promise that God has a good plan for my life: to prosper me, keep me from harm and give me a bright future.

First spoken: Jeremiah sent this in a letter to the Jewish exiles carried off to Babylon (Jeremiah 29:1). God told them to settle there and pray for the city (29:7), and promised that after seventy years He would bring the nation home (29:10), when they sought Him with all their heart (29:13).

The early Christians: We found no early Christian comment on this verse in our library.

Keep in mind: First a promise to the Jewish exiles in Babylon that God would bring the nation home after seventy years, when they sought Him with all their heart. It shows that God keeps His word, but it is not a promise that every reader has a personal plan for success and safety.

Isaiah 40:31

KJV

King James Version

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

But those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.

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Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Isaiah 40:31

How the early church read itNo early comment

How it is used today: Used as a promise that those who trust and wait on the Lord get fresh strength to keep going, like an eagle rising.

First spoken: Isaiah 40 opens with "Comfort, comfort My people" and speaks to discouraged Israel facing exile; verses 27-31 answer the complaint that God has overlooked them.

The early Christians: We found no early Christian comment on this verse in our library.

Keep in mind: The promise was first given to discouraged Israel in exile. The early writers we have say nothing direct on the verse, so we give context only.

Hebrews 11:1

KJV

King James Version

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

Now faith is the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see.

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Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Hebrews 11:1

How the early church read itSame reading

How it is used today: Used as the Bible's definition of faith: a confident assurance that what God has promised is real and certain, even though we cannot see it yet.

First spoken: Written to Hebrew Christians who had suffered loss and persecution and were tempted to give up (10:32-35). Just before, 10:36-39 says they need endurance, "the just shall live by faith," and warns against drawing back; chapter 11 then lists Abel, Noah, Abraham and others who acted on God's word without seeing the promise.

The early Christians: Chrysostom reads the verse much as evangelicals do: faith makes the unseen things God promised, like the resurrection, as sure to the soul as things we see. Reading it with Hebrews 10:36-39, he adds that this faith is patient waiting under hardship, and that a person who demands to see everything now falls away from faith.

“For since the things hoped for seem to have no substance, faith gives them substance. Or rather, it does not give it, but is itself their substance. For example, the Resurrection has not yet come, nor does it exist as a present reality. But hope makes it substantial in our soul. This is the meaning of "the substance of things."” John Chrysostom, Homilies on Hebrews

“If faith is the evidence of things not seen, then why do you want to see them? If you do that, you will fall away from faith and from being righteous. Since the righteous shall live by faith, if you want to see these things, you are no longer faithful. You have labored, he says. You have struggled. I also admit this. Nevertheless, wait, for this is faith: do not seek the whole here.” John Chrysostom, Homilies on Hebrews

Where they agree: Both readings agree that faith is a sure trust in what God has promised but we cannot yet see, like the resurrection. Chrysostom adds the setting: this faith waits patiently through suffering and does not draw back, because those who draw back fall away.

Romans 12:12

KJV

King James Version

Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, persistent in prayer.

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Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Romans 12:12

How the early church read itSame reading

How it is used today: Taken as three habits for hard times: rejoice because our hope is sure, hold on patiently through suffering, and keep praying.

First spoken: It is one of a string of short commands in Romans 12:9-13 on how believers should live and love one another after Paul's chapters on God's mercy.

The early Christians: Clement of Alexandria lists it among the plain commands that pull vice up by the roots, and Chrysostom uses it to say we must keep asking God again and again.

“These are a few commands, chosen as examples from many others, which the Instructor presents to His children as He goes through the divine Scriptures. By these commands, so to speak, vice is pulled up by the roots, and evil is kept within bounds.” Clement of Alexandria, The Instructor (Paedagogus)

“For indeed it is our duty to persevere in the same requests, since His word is, "continuing instant in prayer," Romans 12:12.” John Chrysostom, Homilies on Matthew

Where they agree: Both read it as a command to live by: be glad in hope, endure trouble and keep praying. The early Christians treated it as a rule that shapes character and rids us of vice, not only as comfort.

Romans 15:4

KJV

King James Version

For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

For everything that was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope.

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Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Romans 15:4

How the early church read itSame reading

How it is used today: Used as a promise that reading Scripture gives hope and encouragement, and as proof that all Scripture is God-given and useful for us.

First spoken: Paul is urging strong and weak believers in Rome to accept one another, and says the Old Testament stories (like Christ bearing reproach, 15:3) were written to teach and encourage them.

The early Christians: Chrysostom, Clement of Alexandria and others quote it the same way: the Scriptures were written for our instruction and give patience and comfort. Chrysostom adds that they keep us from falling away, and Origen says the comfort is for those who believe and understand them.

“That is, so that we might not fall away, because there are various conflicts within us and outside us. Strengthened and comforted by the Scriptures, we might show patience, so that by living with patience we might remain in hope. For these things produce each other: patience produces hope, and hope produces patience.” John Chrysostom, Homilies on Romans

Where they agree: Both say Scripture was written to teach us and to strengthen our hope. Chrysostom stresses that the hope is for those who patiently keep going and do not fall away.

Bible verses about hope in hard times

Hope that holds when life does not make sense.

6 verses

Romans 5:3-5

KJV

King James Version

³And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; ⁴And patience, experience; and experience, hope: ⁵And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

KJV

King James Version

I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

I wait for the LORD; my soul does wait, and in His word I put my hope.

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Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Psalms 130:5

Proverbs 13:12

KJV

King James Version

Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.

KJV

King James Version

Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,

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Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Hebrews 6:19

How the early church read itRead differently

How it is used today: Used to teach assurance of salvation: hope in Christ is an anchor that holds, so a saved person is secure and cannot be lost.

First spoken: Written to Jewish Christians who were growing weary and tempted to drift back. Just before it (6:4-6, 6:11-12) the writer warns about falling away and urges them to hold on to the full assurance of hope until the end.

The early Christians: Chrysostom loves the anchor picture: hope keeps the ship steady in storms and Jesus has gone ahead as forerunner, so we should follow. But in the same chapter he teaches that those who fall away after baptism cannot be renewed, and that waiting patiently is part of receiving the promise.

“Do you see that the promise alone did not accomplish the whole thing, but patient waiting also did?” John Chrysostom, Homilies on Hebrews

“For whoever does this, as if he has forgotten the grace given before, and lives carelessly, acts in every way as though there were another baptism. Therefore, we ought to be careful and keep ourselves safe.” John Chrysostom, Homilies on Hebrews

The difference: Today the anchor is often read as a guarantee that a believer can never be lost. Chrysostom read it as hope that steadies us while we keep following Jesus, and he warned in the same chapter that people can fall away.

Titus 2:13

KJV

King James Version

Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

as we await the blessed hope and glorious appearance of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.

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Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Titus 2:13

1 Peter 3:15

KJV

King James Version

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

But in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give a defense to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope that is in you. But respond with gentleness and respect,

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Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about 1 Peter 3:15

Romans 8:24-25

KJV

King James Version

²⁴For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? ²⁵But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

Faith, hope and love, and the God who keeps His word.

7 verses

Psalms 39:7

KJV

King James Version

And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in You.

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Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Psalms 39:7

Psalms 33:22

KJV

King James Version

Let thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

May Your loving devotion rest on us, O LORD, as we put our hope in You.

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Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Psalms 33:22

Jeremiah 17:7

KJV

King James Version

Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him.

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Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Jeremiah 17:7

Psalms 71:5

KJV

King James Version

For thou art my hope, O Lord GOD: thou art my trust from my youth.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

For You are my hope, O Lord GOD, my confidence from my youth.

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Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Psalms 71:5

Psalms 147:11

KJV

King James Version

The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

The LORD is pleased with those who fear Him, who hope in His loving devotion.

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Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Psalms 147:11

Hebrews 10:23

KJV

King James Version

Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

Let us hold resolutely to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.

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Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Hebrews 10:23

1 Corinthians 13:13

KJV

King James Version

And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love; but the greatest of these is love.

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Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about 1 Corinthians 13:13

How the early church read itRead differently

How it is used today: Read at weddings and used to rank the three virtues; evangelicals often teach that faith is what saves and love is the fruit that follows.

First spoken: Paul writes to a quarrelling church proud of its gifts. Chapter 13 says gifts, faith and sacrifice are nothing without love (13:1-3), that love never fails while prophecy and tongues pass away (13:8), and chapter 14 begins: pursue love.

The early Christians: Irenaeus quotes the verse and says that without love knowledge, faith and prophecy are empty, that love makes a man perfect, and that the commandments to love are ones without which salvation cannot be achieved. Chrysostom says that without love even miracles and dangers borne for the faith bring no profit.

“Similarly, Paul declares, "Love is the fulfillment of the law," and he states that when all other things are gone, "faith, hope, and love" will remain, and the greatest of these is love. He emphasizes that without the love of God, neither knowledge, the understanding of mysteries, faith, nor prophecy is beneficial, and without love, all are empty and meaningless. Moreover, love makes a person perfect, and he who loves God is perfect both in this world and in the one to come.” Irenaeus, Against Heresies, Book 4

“The precepts for a perfect life, being the same in both Testaments, reveal the same God, who has certainly given specific laws suited for each; yet the most important and greatest commandments, without which salvation cannot be achieved, He has urged us to follow in both.” Irenaeus, Against Heresies, Book 4

The difference: Today the verse is mostly a line about the three virtues, with faith as the part that saves. Irenaeus reads love as something salvation depends on: the commands to love God and neighbor cannot be skipped, and faith without love is empty.

Short Bible verses about hope

Easy to memorize, to write in a card, or to send to a friend.

8 verses

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

Hebrews 11:1 KJV · 15 words
Listen
“Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;”

Romans 12:12 KJV · 10 words
Listen
“For surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off.”

Proverbs 23:18 KJV · 14 words
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“In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;”

Titus 1:2 KJV · 15 words
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“And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.”

Psalms 39:7 KJV · 12 words
Listen
“Let thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.”

Psalms 33:22 KJV · 14 words
Listen
“Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.”

Jeremiah 17:7 KJV · 15 words
Listen
“For thou art my hope, O Lord GOD: thou art my trust from my youth.”

Psalms 71:5 KJV · 15 words
Listen

What the first Christians said about hope

Exact words from our library of the early church writers. Each one opens at the place it was written.

“For the very fact that we are Christians is the substance of faith and hope. But for that hope and faith to attain their result, there is need of patience.”

Cyprian of CarthageOn the Advantage of Patience

Read and listen to Cyprian of Carthage

The Greek and Hebrew words for hope

The words behind the English. Each word page has a Listen button for how it is said.

elpis Greek · Strong’s G1680

hope, confident expectation (Romans 15:13)
Hear it & see its verses
tiqvah Hebrew · Strong’s H8615

hope, expectation ("an expected end," Jeremiah 29:11)
Hear it & see its verses
yachal Hebrew · Strong’s H3176

to wait, to hope (Psalm 130:5; Lamentations 3:24)
Hear it & see its verses

Questions people ask about hope in the Bible

What does the Bible say about hope?

Biblical hope is confident waiting for what God has promised but we cannot see yet. Paul says we are saved by hope, and if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Hope like this does not put us to shame.

Listen: Romans 8:24-25 · Romans 5:5

What does Jeremiah 29:11 mean?

It was first written in a letter to Jews exiled in Babylon. God promised that after seventy years He would bring them home and give them "an expected end." It shows God's good plans for His people, worked out in His time, not a promise that life will be easy right away.

Listen: Jeremiah 29:10-11

What does "hope deferred maketh the heart sick" mean?

Proverbs 13:12 says that waiting a long time for something we long for wears the heart down, but a desire fulfilled is like a tree of life. The Bible is honest that waiting hurts, and it points us to hope in God.

Listen: Proverbs 13:12

What is the difference between faith and hope?

Hebrews 11:1 joins them: faith is the substance of things hoped for. Hope looks forward to what God has promised; faith trusts Him now that He will do it. Paul names faith, hope and love as the three that last.

Listen: Hebrews 11:1 · 1 Corinthians 13:13

What does the Bible say about hopelessness?

The psalmist talks to his own downcast soul and tells it to hope in God. In Lamentations, in the middle of ruin, the writer remembers that the Lord's mercies are new every morning, and so he has hope. If you feel hopeless, talk to a pastor, a friend or a doctor too.

Listen: Psalms 42:11 · Lamentations 3:21-24

The best-known Bible verses about hope

Bible verses about hope in hard times

Bible verses about hope: A living hope in Jesus

Bible verses about hope: Hope for the future and eternal life

Bible verses about hope: Put your hope in God

Short Bible verses about hope

What the first Christians said about hope

The Greek and Hebrew words for hope

Questions people ask about hope in the Bible

What does the Bible say about hope?

What does Jeremiah 29:11 mean?

What does "hope deferred maketh the heart sick" mean?

What is the difference between faith and hope?

What does the Bible say about hopelessness?

Related Bible topics

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Where this comes from: verse sources and licences