Hope, nature of

Hope, in its general sense, is the anticipation of a future outcome. It is a subjective expectation which may be either firmly based or misdirected.

Hope that an event will take place

1 Corinthians 9:10; 1 Timothy 3:14 See also Esther 9:1; Luke 6:34; Acts 24:26 Felix hoped Paul would offer him a bribe; Romans 15:24 Paul hoped to visit Rome on his way to Spain; 1 Corinthians 9:15, 1 Corinthians 16:7; 2 Corinthians 1:13–14, 2 Corinthians 5:11, 2 Corinthians 11:1PHP 2 Corinthians 2:19, Philippians 2:23 Philemon 1:22; 2 John 1:12; 3 John 1:14

Isn’t He actually speaking on our behalf? Indeed, this was written for us, because when the plowman plows and the thresher threshes, they should also expect to share in the harvest.

Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these things

Hope for a positive outcome

Ecclesiastes 9:4 See also Ruth 1:12; 2 Kings 4:28; Proverbs 19:18; Romans 11:14

There is hope, however, for anyone who is among the living; for even a live dog is better than a dead lion.

Misplaced or vain hope

Psalm 33:17; Jeremiah 23:16 See also Job 8:13–14, Job 11:20; Proverbs 26:12, Proverbs 29:20; Jeremiah 50:7; 1 Timothy 6:17

A horse is a vain hope for salvation; even its great strength cannot save.

This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They are filling you with false hopes. They speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the LORD.

Hope removed or not satisfied

Job 30:26; Jeremiah 8:15 See also Job 6:19–20, Job 14:7–12, Job 19:10, Job 27:8; Isaiah 38:18; Jeremiah 13:16, Jeremiah 14:19; Lamentations 3:18; Ezekiel 37:11; Zechariah 9:5; Luke 24:21 The two disciples share their hopes with Jesus Christ on the Emmaus road; 1 Thessalonians 4:13

But when I hoped for good, evil came; when I looked for light, darkness fell.

We hoped for peace, but no good has come, for a time of healing, but there was only terror.

The malicious hope of the wicked

Proverbs 10:28 See also Proverbs 11:7, Proverbs 11:23, Proverbs 24:19–20; Luke 20:20, Luke 23:8; Acts 16:19

The hope of the righteous is joy, but the expectations of the wicked will perish.