Fix...hope (1679) elpizo by Greek Word Studies

Fix...hope (1679) (elpizo from noun elpis [word study] = hope, absolute assurance of future good) means to look forward with confidence to that which is good and beneficial. To express desire for some good with the expectation of obtaining it. To hope as used here by Peter signifies the expression of absolute certainty of future good. Although it is never translated be patient, elpizo by its very nature calls for patience, reminding us that the fulfillment of hope lies in the future. Many of the NT uses of elpizo express a similar intent, but a number of uses of elpizo are used with the more secular meaning of "I hope so", expressing a desire of some good with at least a slight expectation (but not an absolute assurance) of obtaining it. This latter sense includes the belief (but not absolute assurance) that what is desired or desirable is obtainable (Lk 23:8, Acts 24:26, Ro 15:24, 1Co 16:7, 2Co 1:13, 2Co 5:11, 1Ti 3:14, 2Jn 1:12 3Jn 1:14 - a number of these expresses the writer's desire to visit the recipients of the letter). Some of the NT uses of elpizo convey the sense of "to expect" (to look forward, to consider as probable, or even as obligated) (Lk 6:34, 2Co 8:5). In 2Cor 13:6 Paul uses elpizo in the sense of expressing belief or trust, where the test he trusts he does not fail is described in 2Co 13:5 (a good test for us all to take!) Elpizo is also synonymous with trusting in the Lord in (Mt 12:21, Ro 15:12). The 1828 Webster's Dictionary explains that hope as used in the secular sense... ...differs from wish and desire in this, that it implies some expectation of obtaining the good desired, or the possibility of possessing it. Hope therefore always gives pleasure or joy; whereas wish and desire may produce or be accompanied with pain and anxiety. Elpizo means a firm conviction based on the Jesus' resurrection, that we too can have confidence as we face the future (Ro 8:24, 25-note, 1Co 15:18). We can have confident expectation (He 11:1-note). Remember that a believer's hope (elpis) is strengthened by the Word of God (Ro 15:4-note), by the Work of Jesus (1Pe 1:3-note, 1Pe 1:21-note) and by God's gift of His Spirit (Ro 5:5-note) so that we might "wear" this hope like a helmet (protecting our minds - 1Th 5:8-note), and thereby be always ready to share this blessed hope with others (1Pe 3:15-note) who are without God and therefore have no hope (Ep 2:12-note). The Greeks had an interesting, albeit deceptively tragic understanding of hope, the TDNT recording that... Plato says that human existence is determined not merely by acceptance of the present and recollection of the past, but also by expectation of the future, either good or bad. Hopes are subjective projections of the future (Ed: How different from the sure hope, the "Biblically objective" hope which believers have, this hope fixated on the objective truth of the certainty of the return of our Blessed Hope!)...Hope for the Greeks is a comfort in distress, but it is also deceptive and uncertain.... (Kittel, G., Friedrich, G., & Bromiley, G. W. Theological Dictionary of the New Testament. Eerdmans) Richards adds that... In the NT, "hope" is always the expectation of something good. It is also something we must wait for. In the NT, unlike the OT, just what we hope for is carefully explained. The mystery that the OT does not solve is untangled in the NT, and we are told about the wonders God has in store for us. (The Objects of Our Hope) The NT is a revelational nova. It caps the slowly unfolding OT with a three-decade starburst of light, illuminating long-hidden aspects of God's master plan. Hope today is still rooted in a relationship with God. But we know clearly what it is we are waiting for. Resurrection is a reality. Some in Israel denied this doctrine. But with Jesus' resurrection, all doubts were settled. Acts glows with the specific hope of bodily resurrection for all (Ac 2:26; 23:6; 24:15; 26:6, 7). Because believers will be raised to be with the Lord, we do not "grieve like the rest of men who have no hope" when death invades our circle of relatives or friends (1Th 4:13-note). Many exciting NT doctrines are associated with this hope of resurrection: Jesus will appear in glory (Ro 5:2-note, Ro 5:4, 5-note; Titus 2:13-note); our bodies, and the creation itself, will be liberated from bondage to decay (Ro 8:20-note, Ro 8:24-note); we will then have the full experience of our eternal life, entering into the inheritance he guards for us in glory (Titus1:2-note; Titus 3:7-note; 1Pe 1:3-note; 1Jn 3:2-note, 1Jn 3:3-note). There is also progressive transformation. The NT emphasizes a present as well as a future hope, a growing experience of renewal that we can expect as we take each struggling step toward the future... Everything you and I hope for is wrapped up in Jesus.... Like the OT saints, you and I will know hurt and uncertain tomorrows. We may suffer and experience tragedy, yet we can face the future expectantly. We may have to wait a while for the full experience of the good that God intends for us, but God is fully committed to everyone who makes a faith commitment to him. `For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, `plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future (Jer 29:11). As long as our hope is in God, we have hope. And a future. (Richards, L O: Expository Dictionary of Bible Words: Regency or Computer Version - New International Encyclopedia of Bible Words) Elpizo - 31x in 31v - Mt 12:21; Lk 6:34; 23.8" class="scriptRef">23:8; 24.21" class="scriptRef">24:21; Jn 5:45; Acts 24:26; 26:7; Ro 8:24, 25; 15:12, 24; 13.7" class="scriptRef">1Co 13:7; 15:19; 16:7; 2Co 1:10, 13; 5:11; 8:5; 13:6; Php 2:19, 23; 1Ti 3:14; 4:10; 5:5; 6:17; Phile 1:22; He 11:1; 1Pe 1:13; 3:5; 2Jn 1:12; 3Jn 1:14. NAS = expect(1), expected(1), fix...hope(2), fixed...hope(2), hope(13), hoped(3), hopes(1), hoping(4), set...hope(2), trust(1). Here are the NT uses of elpizo... Matthew 12:21 "AND IN HIS NAME THE GENTILES WILL HOPE." (Quoting from Is 11:10, which Paul also quotes from in Ro 15:12-note) Comment: Christian hope is not some abstract concept but is a Person, Christ Jesus (cp 1Ti 1:1), this OT passage being a prophecy that one day the pagan, godless, hopeless Gentiles would come to know the Messiah, our Hope. Luke 6:34 "If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners in order to receive back the same amount. Luke 23:8 Now Herod was very glad when he saw Jesus; for he had wanted to see Him for a long time, because he had been hearing about Him and was hoping to see some sign performed by Him. Comment: This is not Christian hope but hope in the sense of "I hope so" but without the absolute assurance found when used in the context of Christian hope. Luke 24:21 "But we were hoping that it was He (Messiah) who was going to redeem Israel (He was but most of Israel failed to recognize Him as their prophesied Messiah). Indeed, besides all this, it is the third day since these things happened. John 5:45 "Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father; the one who accuses you is Moses, in whom you have set your hope. Comment: This is not Christian hope but a false Jewish hope - a hope based on the Law by which no man could be saved but which could only accuse. Acts 24:26 At the same time too, he was hoping that money would be given him by Paul; therefore he also used to send for him quite often and converse with him. Comment: Again this is not Christian hope but pagan hope - the idea is "I hope so" but without the absolute assurance found with Christian hope. Acts 26:7 the promise (the Messiah, Ge 22:18 and His final fulfillment of the Abrahamic Covenant) to which our twelve tribes hope to attain (cp Ge 49:10), as they earnestly serve God night and day. And for this hope, O King, I am being accused by Jews. Romans 8:24-note For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it. Comment: In this description of Christian hope, faith or trust is implicit. We are hoping for what we cannot see, so we must trust that this hope has a sure foundation, which is does because of the resurrection of Christ (1Pe 1:3-note). The best is yet to come! In the present context Paul says that the believer does not get frustrated as he sees and experiences suffering and pain in this world. He knows (his hope = a certainty) that the temporary suffering will one day give way to eternal glory. In other words if you had received all the fullness of your salvation in this life, what would we be hoping in? In fact, we have only received the earnest "money" or down payment of our inheritance (Ep1:13, 14-note). And in Romans 5:5-note Paul teaches us that this hope (elpis) will not disappoint. The Holy Spirit living in us now assures us of that certainty (Ro 8:15-note, Ro 8:16-note). From the outset we have looked forward to full and final deliverance from sin, suffering, disease, and death (1Pe1:5-note, 1Pe 1:13-note). If we had already received these blessings, we wouldn't be hoping for them. When we are “living in the future tense” (with an assurance of the certainty of the future glory, even as prescribed by Peter in 1Pe 1:13-note it is more difficult for the things of this present, passing world to ensnare us and drag us down. In this section of Romans 8 Paul teaches us that when we our souls are tempted to be downcast by our suffering and dire circumstances, we need to try the "uplook". Paul is saying that since we have a certain hope even though we don't yet see it, that this very certainty should prompt a specific attitude and behavior - such a person can persevere or bear up under whatever their circumstances are because they have a fixed confidence that knows what is coming. The blessed "hope" of the Christian is "the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ" (Titus 2:13-note). Romans 15:12-note Again Isaiah (Is 11:10) says, "THERE SHALL COME THE ROOT OF JESSE (the Messiah) AND HE WHO ARISES TO RULE OVER THE GENTILES (cp Re 11:15-note, Re 19:16-note), IN HIM SHALL THE GENTILES HOPE." (cp Mt 12:21 above) Romans 15:24-note whenever I go to Spain-- for I hope to see you in passing, and to be helped on my way there by you, when I have first enjoyed your company for a while-- 1 Corinthians 13:7-note bears all things, believes all things, hopes (present tense) all things, endures all things. Comment: Love continually hopes in the sense that it earnestly desires that all things work out for the best. Rather than looking at the negative side and having a critical spirit, love seeks always to be positive and hopeful. Love has a confidence in the future, not a pessimism. When hurt, it does not say, “It will be this way for ever, and even get worse.” It hopes for the best, and it hopes in God. Love is hopeful that those who have failed will not fail again rather than concluding that failure is inevitable. Love delights to entertain the best expectations. If conditions are adverse, love still hopes for the best. Even if the hope meets with repeated disappointment, love still makes the conscious decision of the will to wait with expectation and perseverance. McGee exclaims "Oh, the optimism of hope!" Amen! 1 Corinthians 15:19 If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied. Comment: This Christian hope is a sure, steadfast hope which includes a future aspect as its final fulfillment. 1 Corinthians 16:7 For I do not wish to see you now just in passing; for I hope to remain with you for some time, if the Lord permits. 2 Corinthians 1:10 who delivered (rhuomai) us from so great a peril of death, and will deliver (rhuomai) us, He on whom we have set our hope. And He will yet deliver (rhuomai) us, Comment: Elpizo is in the perfect tense which indicates that Paul's (and the believer's) settled attitude is one of absolute assurance that He Who has rescued us from the domain of darkness, will deliver us daily in our fight of faith and finally will deliver us once and for all from the presence and pleasure of sin. 2 Corinthians 1:13 For we write nothing else to you than what you read and understand, and I hope you will understand until the end; 2 Corinthians 5:11 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are made manifest to God; and I hope that we are made manifest also in your consciences. 2 Corinthians 8:5 and this, not as we had expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God. 2 Corinthians 13:6 But I trust that you will realize that we ourselves do not fail the test. Philippians 2:19-note But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, so that I also may be encouraged when I learn of your condition. Philippians 2:23-note Therefore I hope to send him immediately, as soon as I see how things go with me 1 Timothy 3:14 I am writing these things to you, hoping to come to you before long; 1 Timothy 4:10-note For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers. 1 Timothy 5:5 Now she who is a widow indeed and who has been left alone, has fixed her hope on God and continues in entreaties and prayers night and day. Comment: Here elpizo is in the perfect tense which indicates that her settled attitude is one of hope in God and such a hope serves to demonstrate the genuineness of the widow's faith. So once again we observe that Biblical hope is closely related to Biblical faith ("faith, hope, and love") 1 Timothy 6:17 Instruct (present imperative = command to continually "give orders" like an officer must give to his troops so that they are successful against the enemy, here "the world" and "worldliness" associated with desire for riches!) those who are rich (This adjective is first in the Greek sentence for emphasis!) in this present world (This present, passing world which stands in dramatic contrast to the forever future world promised to those have a Biblical hope!) not to be conceited or to fix their hope (elpizo conveys sense of putting one's trust in something, in this case something which is untrustworthy!) on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, Who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. Philemon 1:22 At the same time also prepare me a lodging, for I hope that through your prayers I will be given to you. Hebrews 11:1-note Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 1Peter 1:13-note Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1Peter 3:5-note For in this way in former times the holy women also, who hoped in God, used to adorn themselves, being submissive to their own husbands; 2John 1:12 Though I have many things to write to you, I do not want to do so with paper and ink; but I hope to come to you and speak face to face, so that your joy may be made full. 3John 1:14 but I hope to see you shortly, and we will speak face to face. Elpizo - 93x in the Septuagint (LXX) - 4.26" class="scriptRef">Ge 4:26; Judg 9:26; 20:36; 22.8" class="scriptRef">8.5" class="scriptRef">2 Kgs 18:5, 24" class="scriptRef">24; 1 Chr 5:20; 2 Chr 13:18; Job 24:23; (Note concentration of elpizo in the Psalms, surely pointing to these Scriptures as God's "Songs of Hope" which are therefore worthy of our meditation, especially in those times when our hope fades because of people and/or circumstances!) Ps 4:5; 11" class="scriptRef">11" class="scriptRef">5:11; 7:1; 10" class="scriptRef">9:10; 13:5; 16:1; 17:7; 18:2, 30; 21:7; 22:4, 5, 8; 25:20; 26:1; 27:3; 28:7; 31:1, 6, 14" class="scriptRef">14" class="scriptRef">14, 19, 24; 32:10; 33:18, 21, 22; 34:8, 22; 36:7; 37:3, 5, 40; 38:15; 40:3; 41:9; 42:5, 11; 43:5; 44:6; 52:8; 55:23; 56:3, 4, 11; 57:1; 62:8, 10; 64:10; 69:3; 71:1, 14; 78:22; 84:12; 86:2; 91:2, 4, 14; 112:7; 115:9, 10, 11; 118:9; 119:42; 130:5; 131:3; 141:8; 143:8; 144:2; 145:15; 147:11; Isa 11:10; 18:7; 25:9; 26:4, 8; 29:8; 30:12; 38:18; 42:4; 51:5; Jer 13:25; 44:14; Da 3:28; Hos 10:13; Mic 7:5. The LXX uses of elpizo (and elpis) in general speak of an expectation of good, one that is linked with trust, yearning, anticipation, because the point of reference is the God of hope (Ro 15:13), the wholly trustworthy God (Je 17:7), Who will be faithful to complete the good work He has begun from the foundation of the world. Elpizo is also used to translate the Hebrew verb meaning to take refuge or take shelter (chasah [02620]) and the Hebrew verb meaning to hope (yachal [03176]). Here are a few representative uses in the LXX... 2Kings 18:5 He trusted (Heb = batach [0982] = put confidence in, believed in; Lxx = elpizo) in the LORD, the God of Israel; so that after him there was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor among those who were before him. (elpizo used in a similar sense in 1Chr 5:20, 2Chr 13:18) Psalm 4:5-note Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and trust (Heb = batach [0982] = put confidence in, believed in; Lxx = elpizo) in the LORD. Psalm 5:11-note But let all who take refuge (Heb = chasah [02620] = seek shelter or refuge; Lxx = elpizo) in You be glad, Let them ever sing for joy; And may You shelter them, That those who love Your name may exult in You. Comment: NET Note = "Taking shelter" in the Lord is an idiom for seeking his protection. Seeking his protection presupposes and even demonstrates the subject's loyalty to the Lord. In the psalms those who "take shelter" in the Lord are contrasted with the wicked and equated with those who love, fear and serve the Lord Psalm 9:10-note And those who know Your name (See Name of Jehovah = a Strong Tower) will put their trust in You Heb = batach = put confidence in, believed in; Lxx = elpizo), (Why should they do so? On what objective basis?) for You, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You. Psalm 41:9-note Even my close friend (Messianic prophecy of Jesus' betrayal by Judas, quoted in Jn 13:18), in whom I trusted (Heb = batach [0982] = putting confidence in, believing in; Lxx = elpizo), Who ate my bread, Has lifted up his heel against me. Psalm 42:5-note (Also Ps 43:5-note) Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope (A command in both Hebrew and Greek. Heb = yachal [03176] = hope, wait with confident expectation, tarrying; elpizo) in God, for I shall again praise Him For the help of His presence Isaiah 11:10 Then in that day The nations will resort to the root of Jesse, Who will stand as a signal for the peoples; And His resting place will be glorious (Messiah's "resting place" is Mt Zion, specifically the sanctuary in the temple of Jerusalem which was "the resting-place of the ark and of Jehovah" see 1Chr 6:31, 41, Ps 132:8-Spurgeon's note, Ps 132:13-Spurgeon's note). Isaiah 25:9 And it will be said in that day (What day? Context helps us - It is the day when Messiah returns = Second Coming and establishes His Millennial Kingdom), 'Behold (Calls for our full attention!), this is our God for Whom we have waited (Heb = qavah [06961] = eagerly wait; Lxx = elpizo) that He might save us. This is the Lord for Whom we have waited. Let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation.” (The hope of all the redeemed [in context especially the OT saints] will have finally given away to sight. Glory! Hallelujah! Maranatha! Amen!) Isaiah 26:8 Indeed, while following the way of Thy judgments (the righteous remnant), O LORD, We have waited for Thee eagerly (Heb = qavah [06961] = waited eagerly; Lxx = elpizo); Thy name, even Thy memory, is the desire of our souls. (Beloved may the longing of this beautiful passage reverberate deeply within our souls until we see His glorious face. Amen) Isaiah 38:18 For Sheol cannot thank Thee, Death cannot praise Thee; Those who go down to the pit cannot hope (Heb = sabar [07663] = to expect with hope and patience; Lxx = elpizo) for Thy faithfulness. Fix your hope is the first command following Peter's unveiling of the riches of our salvation in 1:1-12, and is in the aorist imperative which conveys the need for each believer to make this a decisive choice. It is like a command from a general to his troops engaged in deadly combat. "Hope fully!" It conveys a sense of urgency. Do it now. Do it once for all. Do it effectively but just do it! The active voice indicates that this is a voluntary choice of each person's will. The point is that God won't force us to "fix our hope" on "future grace". His word tells us much about what "future grace" and glory entail to motivate us but ultimately we must make a decision to "Do it now". Too often we “set our hope” on some near, immediate "grace". “Lord, I’d like a new job.” “Lord, heal my illness.” “Lord, if only You’ll let us get this home of our own.” “Father, I know this marriage is just what I need to make me happy!” We may indeed get what we ask and hope for in this life. But any earthly prospect can disappoint, and every earthly possession be torn from our grasp. Only when we set our hope “fully” on the grace that will be ours when Jesus comes will we be immune to life’s losses." (Richards, L.. The 365 day devotional commentary. Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books) Remember we are aliens (parepidemois) in "enemy territory" so to speak and are to be good soldiers of Christ Jesus. So the first command in this letter is an action we are to carry out with our mind (and our heart - it's not just an "intellectual" exercise but a heart attitude that is the seedbed for a heart response). Peter is commanding us to live with an experiential hope -- “Pull your mind together and have the right mental attitude in view of our Lord’s return.” Notice that "fix your hope completely" is the main verb in this verse and is modified by the two subordinate participles (a participle ends in "-ing"), the first being "you yourself having girded the loins of your mind at a definite point in time" and then "continually being sober". Then comes the main verb "Hope fully!" Which simply means that girding up the loins of our minds and being sober in our spirits are both "actions" which are means to the end hoping fully, which is the main charge that Peter is conveying. As the great Puritan saint John Bunyan rightly concluded... Hope is never ill, when faith is well. John Trapp... Hope to the end] Gr. τελειως, hope perfectly or entirely; q.d. do it not by halves; let there not be any odd reckonings between God and you, but work out your salvation, Philippians 2:12. (1 Peter 1 - John Trapp Complete Commentary) Matthew Henry The ground of our hope is Christ in the world, but the evidence of our hope is Christ in the heart. Gilbert Beenken... Other men see only a hopeless end, but the Christian rejoices in an endless hope. Don Bashan... Our hope lies not in the man we put on the moon, but in the Man we put on the cross. Clarke says Continue to expect all that God has promised, and particularly that utmost salvation, that glorification of body and soul, which ye shall obtain at the revelation of Christ, when he shall come to judge the world. New writes that Hope is beyond faith. Faith reveals somewhat, then hope anticipates it. Hope expects, ponders, yearns for. “Perfectly;” equivalent to “without any admixture of doubt.” To make the blessings promised in Christ a subject of hope would make them grow before our vision, and intensify the consciousness that they are ours. It does not impress us to know that a vast multitude of stars fill the sky, but to go into the observatory and single out one star for observation, and fix our mind on that, ensures one new beauty after another gleaming out of the darkness, and where we thought was but a star, a galaxy is discerned." (The Pulpit Commentary)

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Fix...hope (1679) elpizo

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