Using Non-Biblical Examples to Point to Gospel Hope

Hope, in a biblical context, is not merely a wish but a confident expectation rooted in God's character and promises ^[9]. It is a fundamental element of Christian life, alongside faith and love, and is considered so essential that it can define the essence of Christianity itself ^[5]. This hope is centered on Christ, who is the object of a believer's expectation ^[5].

The Bible frequently connects hope with God's nature and actions. Hope is placed in God (Psalm 39:7; 1 Peter 1:21), in Christ (1 Corinthians 15:19; 1 Timothy 1:1), and in God's promises (Acts 26:6-7; Titus 1:2) ^[2]. The mercy of God is also a foundation for hope (Psalm 33:18) ^[2]. This hope is obtained through grace (2 Thessalonians 2:16) and is a work of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13; Galatians 5:5) ^[2]. The Scriptures themselves, through their patience and comfort, provide hope (Romans 15:4), as does the gospel (Colossians 1:5, 23) ^[2]. Faith is also intrinsically linked to hope (Romans 5:1-2; Galatians 5:5), and experience can lead to its development (Romans 5:4) ^[2].

Biblical hope is described as "good" (2 Thessalonians 2:16), "lively" (1 Peter 1:3), "sure and steadfast" (Hebrews 6:19), and "gladdening" (Proverbs 10:28) ^[2]. It is also referred to as "blessed" (Titus 2:13) ^[2]. Unbelievers are described as being "without this hope" (Ephesians 2:12; 1 Thessalonians 4:13) ^[5]. The assurance of salvation, election, redemption, and eternal life is made full by hope (Hebrews 6:11, 19) ^[4].

The Apostle Paul, in his ministry, exemplified a commitment to proclaiming the gospel where Christ had not been named, aiming not to build on another's foundation (Romans 15:20). This ambition suggests a desire to extend the reach of gospel hope to new territories. He also speaks of not boasting in other men's labors but having hope that, as the faith of believers grows, his sphere of influence might be enlarged (2 Corinthians 10:15 KJV, Rotherham). This indicates a forward-looking perspective, anticipating future growth and expansion of the gospel message ^{[1, 3]}.

The concept of hope is often contrasted with the reality of sin. All human beings are born sinners (Psalm 51:5), and while the wicked indulge their sinful nature, the godly strive against it (Romans 7:19-23; James 4:1-10) ^[6]. Sin is understood as rebellion against God ^[7], and it is a pervasive condition affecting both Gentiles and Jews, rendering them unable to find favor with God through their own actions (Romans 1:18-32; 2:1-3:8) ^[8]. God's anger is a necessary response to sin ^[8]. The hope offered through the gospel, therefore, stands in stark contrast to the human condition of sinfulness.

The Lord is presented as the proper object of hope and confidence ^[10]. In Christ, there is mercy, pardon, and redemption from sin, which the gospel makes known ^[10]. The call to hope in the Lord is extended to all, with the assurance that whoever believes in Christ will be saved (John 3:16) ^[11]. This hope provides courage to face disappointments, as it trusts in God's will (Psalm 33:22; 130:5) ^[9].

Sources

II Corinthians “II Corinthians 10:15 (Rotherham) — Not, as to the things without measure, boasting ourselves in other men’s toils, but having, hope—your faith, growing—among you, to be enlarged, according to our limit for something beyond,—”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Hope — In God -- Ps 39:7; 1Pe 1:21. In Christ -- 1Co 15:19; 1Ti 1:1. In God's promises -- Ac 26:6,7; Tit 1:2. In the mercy of God -- Ps 33:18. Is the work of the Holy Spirit -- Ro 15:13; Ga 5:5. Obtained through Grace. -- 2Th 2:16. The word. -- Ps 119:81. Patience and comfort of the Scriptures. -- Ro 15:4. The gospel. -- Col 1:5,23. Faith. -- Ro 5:1,2; Ga 5:5. The result of experience -- Ro 5:4. A better hope brought in by Christ -- Heb 7:19. Described as Good. -- 2Th 2:16. Lively. -- 1Pe 1:3. Sure and steadfast. -- Heb 6:19. Gladdening. -- Pr 10:28. Blessed. -- Tit ”
King James Version “[KJV] 2 Corinthians 10:15 — Not boasting of things without our measure, that is, of other men's labours; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly,”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Assurance — Produced by faith -- Eph 3:12; 2Ti 1:12; Heb 10:22. Made full by hope -- Heb 6:11,19. Confirmed by love -- 1Jo 3:14,19; 4:18. Is the effect of righteousness -- Isa 32:17. Is abundant in the understanding of the gospel -- Col 2:2; 1Th 1:5. Saints privileged to have, of Their election. -- Ps 4:3; 1Th 1:4. Their redemption. -- Job 19:25. Their adoption. -- Ro 8:16; 1Jo 3:2. Their salvation. -- Isa 12:2. Eternal life. -- 1Jo 5:13. The unalienable love of God. -- Ro 8:38,39. Union with God and Christ. -- 1Co 6:15; 2Co 13:5; Eph 5:30; 1Jo 2:5; 4:13. Peace with ”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Hope — One of the three main elements of Christian character (1 Cor. 13:13). It is joined to faith and love, and is opposed to seeing or possessing (Rom. 8:24; 1 John 3:2). "Hope is an essential and fundamental element of Christian life, so essential indeed, that, like faith and love, it can itself designate the essence of Christianity (1 Pet. 3:15; Heb. 10:23). In it the whole glory of the Christian vocation is centred (Eph. 1:18; 4:4)." Unbelievers are without this hope (Eph. 2:12; 1 Thess. 4:13). Christ is the actual object of the believer's hope, because it is in”
Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 58:3: 58:3 All human beings are born sinners (see 51:5); however, whereas the wicked indulge their sinful nature, the godly fight against it (Rom 7:19-23; Jas 4:1-10).”
Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 19:13: 19:13 An individual who commits deliberate sins does so with an insolent (86:14) or arrogant (119:21, 69) attitude. • The great sin is rebellion (see 32:1).”
Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 1:18: 1:18–3:20 Paul delays exploring the theme of righteousness through faith (see 3:21) until after he first teaches about universal sinfulness. Gentiles (1:18-32) and Jews (2:1–3:8) are equally under sin’s power and cannot find favor with God by any action of their own (3:9-20). 1:18 God’s anger is not a spontaneous emotional outburst, but the holy God’s necessary response to sin. The Old Testament often depicts God’s anger (Exod 32:10-12; Num 11:1; Jer 21:3-7) and predicts a decisive outpouring of God’s wrath on human sin at the end of history. While Paul usually de”
Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 25:5: 25:5 Biblical hope does not mean wishing for an event to turn out favorably. Hope trusts the Lord’s will and gives the courage to face disappointments (33:22; 130:5).”
Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 78:7: That they might set their hope in God,.... And not in the creature, nor in any creature enjoyment; see Job 31:24, the Lord is the only proper object of hope and confidence; Christ, who is truly God, is the hope of his people, and in him they place it, as they have great reason to do; since with him there is mercy, the mercy of God is proclaimed in him; and with him there is redemption, which includes the blessings of peace, pardon, and righteousness; and a plenteous one, a redemption from all sin; and it is the Gospel which points out these things in Christ, and encou”
Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 130:6: Let Israel hope in the Lord,.... The psalmist having himself hope in the Lord and in his word, through a view of forgiveness with him, exhorts and encourages others to do so likewise, even every Israelite indeed; and such may comfortably hope in him for salvation, which was designed, contrived, promised, and now wrought out for sinners, the chief of sinners, and to be had freely; and the Gospel declaration is, that whosoever believes in Christ shall be saved; as well as for the remission of sin, which God has promised in covenant; proclaimed in Christ, whom he has se”

Ask Your Own Question